RAWCS Fundraising Walks
 

Kokoda Track Walk August 2008 - IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HEROES

 District 9830 has responded superbly to the first RAWCS WALK – walking the Kokoda Track from Owers Corner to Kokoda.  The the trip took place in  September 2008, a collection of people from all around Australia made the pilgrimage to walk the Kokoda Trail in recognition of the work of Rotary International and raise money for RAWCS.

 Seven trekkers from this District traced the steps of the Australian Forces through the Owen Stanley Range and honoured the Militia troops who stood between the enemy onslaught and our homeland.

Participants           Kevin Watkins                Launceston West           Vanessa Goodwin          Kangaroo Bay           Mike Holland                 Ulverstone           Janet Steele                    Hobart           Mary Johnson                 Launceston West           Michael Warren              Launceston West           Lou Johnson                  Launceston West
Photo courtesy Australian War Museum	AWM 026320 August 1942. Wounded members of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion making their way back along a jungle track to the base hospital. They are all suffering from gunshot wounds sustained in the fighting against the Japs in the Kokoda area. To reach the hospital area they had to walk for nearly six days through thick jungle

The challenging 96 kilometre walk was undertaken to raise funds and awareness for the many programs operated by RAWCS and clubswere requested to sponsor the trekkers.

RAWCS operates the following divisions:
                             Rotarians against Malaria
                             Donations in Kind
                             Project Volunteers and
                             Safe Water Saves Lives

 Approx. $30,000 was raised from this Kokoda Trek. Further walks are planned. The Admin Account now totals $330,000.

River crossing on the inaugural RAWCS Kokoda Walk in September 2008 Picture shows PDG Lou and Mary Johnson battling the strong river current

The Next Walk Series

After the inaugural RAWCS fundraising walk last year on Kokoda the interest is to extend the opportunity for further participation. RAWCS are pleased to announce two
walks and encourage Rotarians, family members and friends of Rotary to give consideration to being part of this opportunity.

Walk 1. KOKODA 2009-K2 13th September 2009 – 24th September 2009. Owens Corner to Kokoda

The walk traces the steps of the Australian Forces through the Owen Stanley Range and honours the handful of 18 year old militia troops who stood between the enemy onslaught
and our homeland. Most of the diggers had not previously fired a shot in anger.
Team Leader: PDG Bob Sydes (03 6344959) rtsydes@bigpond.com
Further information refer to site www.kokodaspirit.com.au

Walk 2. SANDAKAN DEATH MARCH – S1 19th May – 29th May 2010

This walk gives the option of walking all the way, part walk part bus or all the way using bus transport so caters for all fitness levels.
The Sandakan – Ranau POW Death March follows in the footsteps of the POWs who were force-marched three times between January and June 1945 from their prisoner of
war camp in Sandakan camp North Borneo, west to the small settlement of Ranau. The very mention of the words Sandakan/Ranau in tandem conjures visions of tragedy of
immense proportions. The Death March is acknowledged as the worst tradedy for Australia in World War II.
Team Leader PDG Lou Johnson (03 63445014) marlou@tassie.net.au
Further information refer to site www.sandakan-deathmarch.com
Registrations for both walks are to be lodged with Lou Johnson (details above).