General News
10 November, 2025
Remembrance spanning the generations
TEN days walking the Kokoda Track have inspired Indi Simpson to pen an evocative poem ahead of Remembrance Day next Tuesday,
The Year 11 Wedderburn College student was one of four from the school to receive a scholarship through Wedderburn Korong Vale sub-branch of the RSL to walk the track made famous by heoroic deeds of Australian soldiers in World War Two.
The four have become ambassadors sharing their experiences of Kokoda since their return to Australia in July.
Australia’s involvement in the Kokoda Campaign started in 1942 as Japanese forces advanced through the Pacific, capturing territories, their eyes were set on Papua New Guinea and Port Moresby.
The Kokoda Track, a challenging mountainous trail, became the focal point of the conflict.
The Battle of Kokoda unfolded as Australian troops, along with Papua New Guinean allies, faced the Japanese in a gruelling campaign along the Kokoda Track.
The battle was part of a larger strategy to defend Port Moresby and halt the Japanese advance towards Australia.
Over seven months, from July to November both sides endured harsh conditions, including dense jungles, treacherous mountains, and tropical diseases.
Indi’s poem evokes images of those battles and pays homage to the soldiers who fought at Kokoda, the hope that their sacrifices are never forgotten and their love of the home they left behind always remembered.
More than 600 Australian soldiers were killed at Kokoda and another 1600 wounded.
Indi will be among students attending the Wedderburn service next Tuesday, marking the 107th anniversary of the Armistice that marked the end of fighting in World War One and the 80th anniversary of the Allies’ victory in the Pacific in World War Two.
Wedderburn will be one of several services in Loddon communities.
Boort will commemorate those who have lost their lives and served in wars and conflict with a service starting at 10:30am at Boort RSL Club Room Memorial Wall. Sub-president Paul Haw, a veteran of the Vietnam War, said centenarian Alan Streader was expected to play the Last Post and Rouse during the service.