30th Anniversary Events

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the first stage of the Walkway in October 1996. Since then, the Walkway has expanded and become a ‘living memorial’ with a focus on education and commemoration.

To celebrate this important anniversary, we are organising three special events. Each event will highlight the versatility of the Walkway’s facilities as a community hub, whilst also showcasing the Walkway’s important role in commemorating our proud military history.

All events are free, but you must book/register through Eventbrite (for some events) to ensure your place is guaranteed. Bookings will also assist with planning for seating and catering (if included). Further details will be added for each event when confirmed.

For any queries about these special events, please contact us.

See below for some historical photos of the Walkway’s construction.

Read a brief history of the Walkway here or purchase a copy of ‘Their Spirit Lives On’ here.

Event One: Orchid & Flower Exhibit Saturday 1 August 2026

Join us on Saturday 1 August for our Orchid and Flower Exhibit. In conjunction with the Five Dock RSL Orchid Society and the Royal Horticultural Society NSW, we will host:

exhibits in the Walkway’s Education Centre and the outside deck.
3 x tea+cake talks in the undercover BBQ area.
short tours of the Walkway’s Memorial Centrepiece.

All are free and open to the public, but bookings are essential through Eventbrite for the three tea+cake sessions (see below)

3 x Tea+cake sessions – tickets necessary (held in the undercover BBQ area)

Tickets MUST be ordered for one of these sessions, otherwise you will not be allowed entry.
There will be three tea+cake sessions: 10.30am-11.30am; 12.00-1.00pm; 1.30-2.30pm.
Two (2) tickets can be registered per person for each session.
Note: no dietary choices will be available for the food items.

Exhibitions (no tickets necessary, just turn up)

Five Dock RSL Orchid Society in the Education Centre
Bromeliads display in the Education Centre
Floral Installation by the Royal Horticultural Society NSW on the Deck

Talks (no tickets necessary, just turn up)

Talks will be conducted in between the tea+cake sessions.
Guided walkthrough of of the orchid exhibition and RHS NSW installation: 10.00am
Repotting an orchid: 11.30am
RHS NSW talk (tba): 1.00pm
Memorial Centrepiece talks: 11.15am; 12.45pm; 2.15pm

Book for the tea+cake talk sessions through Eventbrite.

Event Two: Art Show Saturday-Sunday 5-6 September

The second event for our 30th anniversary will be an Art Show, on Saturday and Sunday 5-6 September.

Events over the two days will include:

A range of artworks on display in a marquee in Rhodes Park near our Memorial Centrepiece, supported by the Drummoyne Art Society.
A free BBQ lunch for attendees, supported by Five Dock Rotary.
Short talks by our KTMW volunteers for specific parts of the Walkway, such as explaining the Memorial Centrepiece etchings or visiting a Station and learning about its importance in the Kokoda campaign.
TBC – some art demonstrations and workshops.

Event Three: 'Kokoda' movie + talks + book sales event Saturday 31 October

Our last 30th anniversary event on Saturday 31 October will be for military history fans!

Join us for an afternoon of talks, Kokoda-related memorabilia displays, tours of the Memorial Centrepiece, the sale of quality second hand military history books and DVDs, and then stay for the screening of the 2006 movie ‘Kokoda’ (rated M) in the evening. There will be food and drinks available to purchase throughout the afternoon from vendor stalls.

The tentative schedule for our movie+talks event is:

4.30pm: Memorabilia display opens, military history book/DVD sales commence, food stalls open, Memorial Centrepiece tours commence.

5.30-6.15pm: talk by Robyn and Soc Kienzle. Soc is the son of the famous Bert Kienzle, and Robyn is the author of ‘The Architect of Kokoda’, the story of Bert and his wartime exploits. Both will speak to items on display from their own memorabilia collection. Copies of ‘The Architect of Kokoda’ will be on sale.

6.30-7.15pm: talk by Dr Jan McLeod. Jan is the author of two Kokoda-related books ‘Shadows on the Track’ and ‘All the Broken Soldiers’. Copies of both will be on sale.

8.00-9.45pm: screening of ‘Kokoda’ film under cover near the covered BBQ facilities. Bring your own beanbag or low chair, food and drink.

Historic images of the Walkway's construction

The beautiful and serene grounds of the Walkway today were very different during its construction. Here are some photos taken during the early days of the construction – it’s hard to believe the parkland was transformed into the beautiful memorial it is today.