Vale-Rev. Peter Holloway
Today we mark the passing of The Reverend Peter Holloway. Peter served as a machine gunner in E Coy with the 39th Battalion, in 6th Division Australian Army Service Corps. He later still served his country as an Anglican Priest.He very energetically served this association as the editor of the Good Guts for the last 12 years, a life member and committee member of the 39th Battalion Association.Peter Holloway’s funeral will be held today at 1:00pm at St Pauls' Anglican Church, Cnr Wills and Raleigh Street, Westmeadows, Victoria.
To read more about Peter’s military service please click here
'Lest We Forget'
A dream fulfilled - Cat McRae
A huge thank you to David, Clodagh, Reg, our porters & fellow trekkers for making our Black Cat Trek pilgrimage become a reality. To walk in some of the places where my grandfather walked & be within 2kms of where he was wounded was a dream fulfilled. Visiting the grave of my great uncle in the Lae war memorial cemetery was a humbling & deeply moving experience. Could not have achieved this without you all!!!
Lex McRae and his daughter Cat, at Lae War Cemetery. Lex and Cat just completed our Black Cat Track tour where they walked in honour of their Father/Grandfather, Corporal Keith 'Blue' McRae. Blue served in the 2/3 Independent Company (Commandos). Keith's brother Tom, was killed while serving in the 2/7 AIF Infantry Battalion. Here Lex and Cat pay tribute to their Uncle.
Soc Kienzle’s Last Kokoda Tour
Captain Bert Kienzle-'The Architect of Kokoda'
There are still limited places available on Soc Kienzle's last tour which is planned for 22nd July to 2nd August 2013. This promises to be a very special tour with two highly experienced Historians leading the group, Soc Kienzle and David Howell.
Soc is the son of the famous Bert Kienzle who is accredited as being the 'Architect of Kokoda’. This is your chance (last chance) to walk with Soc as he hands over his knowledge of Kokoda to the next generation. To read more about Captain Bert Kienzle please click here
Soc Kienzle delivering the oration on Kokoda Day
The group will trek the Kokoda Track starting from Kokoda, spending 9 days walking the Track with side-trips to see sights that other groups don’t get to see and finishing at Owers' Corner.
The dates are 22 July-2 August 2013
Free Trekking Pack valued at $600
The next 2 people to book on this tour and quote the word 'Kila' will receive a free Kokoda Trekking pack which includes just about everything you need to undertake this tour, including boots, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, your back pack and many other goodies! This pack is valued at $600! Along with this pack you will also receive an autographed copy of the book-'The Architect of Kokoda' by Robyn Kienzle.
For more information please click here or call David Howell direct on 0405 007 700
Harold Bould Trek 2013
The Harold Bould trek is on again for the fourth year in a row and readers are invited to take part in this very special event. Each year the 39th Battalion Association run the Harold Bould (Cardinia) Kokoda Award. Year 10 students who are enrolled in secondary schools in the Cardinia Shire are eligible to enter. The award provides the opportunity for the winning students to walk the Kokoda Track and visit the Northern Beachheads of Buna, Gona and Sanananda.
This year’s winners Jack and Natalie will be off to trek Kokoda between 30 June and 14 July 2013. Already the trek is starting to come together with both students and fellow participants getting involved in some group training and recently went for a hike at Lerderderg Gorge in Bacchus Marsh, not far from the original 39th Battalion training ground.
Harold Bould was a resident of Cardinia and one of 5 brothers, who served Australia in WW2. On their tour they will visit the village of Oivi which is near to the place that Harold Bould of “B” Company 39th Battalion was killed in action on July 29th 1942, only 3 days after Captain Sam Templeton went missing and only 8 days after the Japanese invasion of Papua New Guinea commenced.
Harold’s remains were never found and neither were those of the other brother who didn’t come home. Brother Keith serving with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion was taken prisoner by the Japanese. Keith was being transported from Singapore aboard the Kakuyo Maru, carrying 1317 prisoners back to work in factories in Japan. On the way it was sunk by a US submarine the USS Sea Lion on September 15th 1944.
The Memorial trek is named in memory of Harold Bould and commemorates all those gallant men who lost their lives defending Australia during the Kokoda Campaign. Mr Alan Jameson of the 39th Battalion Association and Cardinia Shire MP Edward O’Donohue have been the driving force behind the success of the Harry Bould Awards. Edward’s fundraising efforts and the generosity of Cardinia people have ensured that another two students from Cardinia can make the pilgrimage to Kokoda. Both students will follow in the footsteps of last year’s winners, Harry and Indie who both successfully completed the trek in June/July 2012.
You too can be a part of this pilgrimage; we have spaces available and are looking for people with an interest in history and a sense of adventure. It will not only be a great opportunity to trek the famous Kokoda Track but you will also be able to participate in the delivery of much needed school supplies to local villages that live within the Kokoda area.
To become a part of this very special trek, call or email David Howell direct on 0405 007 700 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. David is also running monthly meetings were the group gets together for a bush walk and information session. The dates for the trek are:
30 Jun - 11 Jul Kokoda Track Tour
30 Jun - 14 Jul Kokoda Track & Beachheads Tour
Read more about the Harold Bould Award here.