Year 12 visited The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway on the 13 March. It was a great honour for us to have 100 year old Kokoda veteran, Reg Chard, be our guide. Reg joined the Australian Militia Force when he was 18 in 1942 and has recently published his biography, The Digger of Kokoda. He was very generous with his time and not only led the students around the memorial walkway, but was happy to meet each student and answer their questions.

The program began in the Memorial’s Centerpiece, a series of granite walls which depict iconic photographs taken by George Silk on Kokoda. Reg was able to tell the students about the people in the photos (many whom he knew personally). Here our students, Bronwyn Z and Emily M, presented a wreath on behalf of the College. Students then went to the Ralph Honner Education Centre where they experienced a virtual reality program on Kokoda gaining an understanding of the terrain and harsh conditions faced by the Australian soldiers. After some historical background by the volunteers, the students were guided around the Kokoda Memorial Walkway, an 800 metre track with 22 stations to mark places of military engagement along the track including Milne Bay, Myola, Menari and Gona. 

Year 12 reflections on the excursion:

"Having the opportunity to attend the excursion at the Kokoda Memorial Track was an amazing chance to learn about the Kokoda campaign. We had the privilege of meeting 100-year-old war veteran Reg Chard. He was full of stories and knowledge that enlightened us of the experiences of the soldiers. From talking about what the men had to carry with them, the ages of some of the youngest (14 years old) and how mateship and bravery kept them together. Reg shared with us the cruelty and determination of the Japanese during the war including how the Japanese resorted to cannibalism. Reg spoke of eating bark and leaves due to having lack of rations. Reg spoke highly of the “fuzzy wuzzy angels” and he believes the soldiers would not have been able to survive without them. "

- Lauren H and Layla B

 ‘My experience at the memorial was one that I will never forget. Reg Chard brought me to tears on multiple occasions, from his raw recounts of the horrors he saw to the fondness with which he discussed his late wife, Reg was vulnerable and a genuine delight to talk to. He gave us primary accounts of what it was like to be a part of the Kokoda Campaign and how the horrors of war never leave you. I feel extremely privileged to have gotten to talk to a living legend and hear about the personal experiences of WW2 from one of the last living veterans apart of the Kokoda Campaign and the last of his Battalion.’  

- Meghan W

‘My experience on this excursion to the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway was phenomenal. I was able to learn so much about what life was like on the Kokoda Track for the brave Australian soldiers as well as the initial campaign. This experience was curated not only by the  amazing volunteer guides, but also by Reg Chard, a veteran who experienced the Kokoda track starting in 1942. Reg was able to pass on his valuable knowledge of the track as well as his own personal stories and encounters during his time there. Through this, our whole modern history class was able to become enraptured by his wisdom of the track as well as his engaging stories that were able to teach us so much about his friends, the native people of Papua New Guinea, and his encounters with the Japanese soldiers. Similarly, the volunteers were able to teach us so much about the trail and the campaign through the Virtual reality experience, which was able to show us the experiences of other veterans. Afterwards, we were able to go on a tour of the track, in which we were able to learn valuable facts uch as the only VC recipient on the Kokoda trail was Bruce Kingsbury, as well as facts about each of the different battles and camps. Throughout the day, Reg was available to answer any of our questions, making the experience even more valuable. Overall, this excursion was so rewarding, as we were so lucky to meet and engage with such knowledgeable people and understand a uniquely Australian perspective about the conflict in the pacific. I would love to thank Reg and the volunteers that guided us through our day.’ 

-Emily M

‘The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway was an experience that will have a hold on me for the rest of my life. The things that I learnt are things I will never really forget, especially when meeting a veteran from the Kokoda track. Reg Chard, a hundred year old Kokoda veteran, had spared the time of day to share his experience with us, sharing the names of the heroes who had perished back in Papua New Guinea on the Kokoda track to keep their memory alive a hundred years later. I had the privilege of being able to ask a few questions, such as his opinion on religion before and after the war. He shared that he felt he didn’t deserve to be religious after what he had seen and done during the war. An other question was about the reaction that he had received when he returned to Australia, and what that was like. He replied that nobody had known of his return, then he went on to share an emotional story regarding his return to his mother and father. Reg Chard was an extremely humble man, who shared his personal experiences which have instilled a deeper sense of empathy and values regarding morality that people of the current generation of Australian citizens will never have the horror of understanding. He had said vehemently that he never wished to be called a hero or to be held in such respectful regard for all of the heroes who had died back on the track. Reg Chard shared words that will forever be instilled in my heart and are words that I will make sure will be instilled in my own children.’

- Sierra N

‘Our experience at the Kokoda Track Memorial walkway allowed us to gain valuable knowledge about the track and the conditions experienced by the soldiers who walked it.  We had the opportunity to meet Reg Chard who is a 100-year veteran who was on the track from 1942. Reg passed on some valuable stories to us about the track. Additionally, The VR experience provided a profound opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the surroundings of the Kokoda track. We were able to understand the harsh conditions and landscape that the Australian soldiers faced in the jungle whilst also gaining a perspective of Port Moresby during the war. The explanation by veterans throughout the VR experience provided a dynamic and enriching educational resource.’

-Bronwyn Z and Isabelle S

We wish to thank Reg, the volunteers and Mr Muller (for accompanying us). 

The walkway can be also undertaken by the public - https://www.kokodawalkway.com.au/

Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher