Couple on track for Kokoda

By Melissa Meehan
WALKING the Kokoda Track has become something of a pilgrimage for many Australians.
But as Kooweerup’s Kelly Carson makes her journey to Papua New Guinea, her voyage carries the histories of her great-grandfather and great-uncle.
“My nan’s father, Walter Roberts, was part of World War II. He worked on the Burma railway and was a prisoner of war for three years. He was gone for six years,” Kelly told the Gazette before she left last weekend.
“Nan’s brother Stanley Roberts died there, he was in PNG for a week before he died of scrub typhus – he didn’t even get to step on the track.”
Kelly and partner Michael Young signed up to take on the Kokoda Track eight months ago, and say they have been training hard ever since.
“For me, at first it was all about the challenge,” Kelly said.
“And then I found out about the family link afterwards, all the history behind it.”
Ready for the challenge, Michael said he had done a bit of hiking up at Wilsons Promontory and some in New Zealand and taking on the Kokoda Track was a perfect way to challenge himself.
“It was a decision we made as a couple,” he said.
“We’ve done a bit of training up at Labertouche, which apparently is the best place locally that mimics the conditions of Kokoda.”
The pair will be joined by two other locals, Nar Nar Goon Football Club acting captain Ben Keane and Mark “Spud” Carney.
They are making their journey with Backtrack Adventures with a group of 12 others.
“Anyone can do it, you just have to be fit enough,” Michael said.
“We’re really excited,” Kelly said. “But at this stage we’re just worried about putting one foot after the other.”