Kokoda 80th Anniversary Memorial 2022

Kokoda 80th Anniversary Memorial 2022
The service, held on Monday 8th August 2022, at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall, Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach Queensland, commemorated the defence of Kokoda, 8th - 10th August, 1942 by the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion & the Papuan Infantry Battalion 
 
On Monday, 8 August 2022, Their Excellencies General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley, as guests of Mr George Friend OAM, Trustee, Rotary Kokoda Memorial, attended the 80th Anniversary of Kokoda Day.  This event was supported by the Gold Coast City Council, 39th Battalion Association and The Southport School (TSS).
 

Along with representation from all three levels of government notably Angie Bell MP, Federal Member for Moncrieff, John-Paul Langbroek MLA (Qld) and Councillor Darren Taylor, Division 10 Gold Coast, one very special guest of honour was Mr George Turner, a 101 year old survivor of the Australian Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion.  Mr Turner is one of three survivors Australia’s resistance at the Battle of Kokoda.

A sumptuous morning tea was provided by the Salvation Army in recognition of Kokoda Day.

You can view the official program, produced by TSS, by clicking here.  Used with permission, thank you.

The following presentation was also produced by TSS and provides an excellent overview of the commemoration service.  Used with permission, thank you.

 

After officiating at the Cascade Gardens Kokoda Wall event, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Major General Michael Krause AM, Senior Mentor, attended the opening of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, and ceremony at which the Battle Simulation Site – Canungra was renamed to The PTE B. Kingsbury VC Battle Simulation Site - Canungra.

   

Thank you to all those who contributed in any way to make the day such an amazing success.