News & Events: Media Releases

In the footsteps of Kokoda Veterans

February 2007

Cairns Private Hospital is helping to ensure the fearless courage and heroism of our Diggers will always be remembered through an annual Cadet sponsorship programme in partnership with the local sub-branch of the RSL.

Cairns Private stepped up to sponsor one of four cadets on a gruelling nine day trek along the famous Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

Cairns Private CEO Richard Lizzio said while the partnership at this stage is an informal one, the plan is to make this an annual activity, where cadets are sponsored to make a pilgrimage to a site of significance in Australian Wartime history.

“Our Kokoda Cadets should be very proud of their achievement, which posed both physical and psychological challenges. Some of them juggled school and an exhaustive training regime (with full packs) to prepare for the trek,” Richard said.

Cadet Matthew Birch said, “Nothing could prepare you for the conditions…wet and incredibly steep…it is either up or down, there is no in between.”

“It was an awesome experience. Sometimes it was so hard you felt like crying. “

The most touching moment came when the group met two of the Kokoda Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels… the Papua New Guinean people who carried and escorted injured Australian troops down the Kokoda Track, often under heavy Japanese gunfire.

“I am so grateful to Cairns Private for giving me this opportunity. It is something that will stay with me forever. Also, meeting the sons and grandsons of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels who work as guides and porters on trail, was a real highlight. It helped us to understand the bonds that were forged between the Diggers and villagers throughout the Kokoda campaign.”