The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway tour guide says that though it’s a great start after advocating for an official day for many years, it should also be deemed a public holiday like ANZAC Day.
“This is a day that’s as important as any other in our history because if it wasn’t for the veterans on the Kokoda Trail and what they were able to achieve, young people would not be growing up as Australians but as residents of another nation,” he said.
The hell Mr Chard endured as an 18-year-old soldier while fighting in 1942 on the infamous Kokoda Trail is available for all to see the book ‘The Digger of Kokoda: The Official Biography of Reg Chard’ by Daniel Lane.
Australia’s objective was to stop the Japanese who were making their way overland along the Kokoda track to capture Port Moresby.
This would give them control of Papua, and a base from which to attack the Australian mainland.
In efforts to recapture Kokoda, a major battle was fought around Oivi and Gorari from November 4 to 11, resulting in a victory for the Australians.
Kokoda was not only the most important battle fought and won, it also shaped Australia’s post-war training practises and military.
Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the annual day of acknowledgement for the veterans of Kokoda, to recognise their bravery and efforts in New Guinea.
“Having walked the track myself, it is important we, and future generations, mark the bravery and sacrifices of those who served there” he said.
“Our troops had to wade through mud, fighting off insects and infection, before encountering some of the most brutal battles of the Second World War.”
Make day public holiday – Kokoda as important as ANZAC Day
VILLAWOOD resident and Kokoda veteran Reg Chard is thrilled the NSW Government has designated November 3 as ‘NSW Kokoda Day’ to officially acknowledge the Kokoda campaign of the Second World War.
