Children’s book planned to mark Kokoda war

THE Kokoda Track Foundation recently brought together two PNG authors, an artist and students from PNG and Australia to create a commemorative children’s book.
It is partnership with the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby and was held at Kokoda College early this month.
Artist Jeffry Feeger, authors Iriani Wanma and Rashmii Bell held the workshop for 85 students from the Kokoda Primary School and Melbourne’s Haileybury College.
The workshop marked the first phase in the production of the children’s book, intended to recognise the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign.
It provided the opportunity for PNG and Australian students to participate in an interactive workshop including a live-painting demonstration, creating illustrations, sharing information and engaging in group and individual reflections.
Students contemplated the legacy of the brave Australian and Papua New Guinean men, women and children who contributed to the war effort, and how that legacy lives on today.
The discussion also emphasised the importance of passing down the story of the Kokoda Campaign to younger people.
Kokoda Track Foundation chief executive officer Genevieve Nelson said the Kokoda 75 children’s book “will ensure that the legendary stories of heroism and mateship from the Kokoda Campaign live on through the perpetual bond that exists between Australia and Papua New Guinea”.
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said the book was an inspiring project and one of the many ways the high commission was marking the 75th anniversary of the World War II campaigns in Papua New Guinea.
“An important part of this has meant giving equal weight to commemorating Papua New Guinea’s experience of the war,” he said.