By
Graham Davis
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Mr
Frank McDonald, Mr Rusty Priest with LS Woodhead and the
Cannon brothers at the restored observation platform at
the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway.
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Photo:
ABPH Helen Frank
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One
of the most solemn yet beautiful war memorials in Australia is
arguably the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway on the banks of the
Parramatta River at Rhodes.
Those who attend, walk along paved paths, past tropical jungle
vegetation, across bridges topping a meandering brook and on to
a special wall of remembrance.
They can stop on an observation platform and ponder those days
the Australian diggers battled the Japanese on the Kokoda Track
in New Guinea.
Since its opening, however, the observation platform has succumbed
to the elements and was in need of restoration.
A call from members of the Walkway Board, led by its chairman
Mr Rusty Priest and director Frank McDonald, went out to the Navy
and in particular FIMA/Sydney.
“Could you please help?” The answer was a “yes” and soon afterwards
three shipwrights, LS Lenard Woodhead and brothers SMN Luke and
Matt Cannon were on the job with saw, hammer, new timber and fastenings.
The restoration was completed on Thursday, April 8 with Messrs
Priest and McDonald arriving to thank the sailors for their work.
The work was on time because on April 23 the walkway was scheduled
to be used for an Anzac Day memorial service.
