About Us

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 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.

Thank you to all those who attended our first special community event to celebrate the Walkway’s 30th anniversary!

We wish to extend our thanks to our special partners for the day, the Five Dock RSL Orchid Society and the Royal Horticultural Society of NSW, whose enthusiastic members created colourful and striking orchid and bromeliad displays, on the deck of, and inside, the Ralph Honner Education Centre. Members of both groups provided well-attended talks with tips and lessons on how to propagate these beautiful plants, and we thank them for their passion and willingness to share their knowledge.

Meantime, while the weather was grey and cold, our three morning tea sessions attracted many, who were treated with delicious home-made treats, with tea and coffee served on elegant fine china … a blast from the past! At each session, Ms Alice Kang OM, KTMW Board Director provided those in attendance with a short history of the Walkway, and outlined its significance plus details of future events and plans.

Many of those who attended also took the opportunity to  take a short tour of the Memorial Centrepiece with our Volunteer Guides, learning of the significance of the iconic sandblasted images that make up the Centrepiece.

While we thank our partners on the day, we would also like to pay special thanks to our volunteers who assisted in the lead up to, and on the day itself. As Ms Kang noted, the Walkway’s success over the years can be attributed to our small group of dedicated volunteers.

The second event for our 30th anniversary will be an Art Exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 September, from 10.00am to 3.00pm on both days.

Discover a vibrant showcase of creative talent in this special exhibition presented in collaboration with our generous partners: the Drummoyne Art Society, City of Canada Bay Council and RSL NSW.

On the two days:

• • Visitors can also enjoy a free sausage sizzle on both days (12.00-2.00pm), proudly supported by Five Dock Rotary.
  • A marquee in Rhodes Park, close to the Memorial Centrepiece, will display a diverse collection of artworks in a relaxed outdoor setting.
  • Visitors can also have their portraits sketched.
  • View free art demonstrations.
  • Short talks presented by KTMW volunteers will offer fascinating insights into the etchings of the Memorial Centrepiece and the significance of individual stations in the Kokoda campaign.

There is no charge for any events over the two days, but please RSVP at admin@kokodawalkway.com.au with numbers attending for catering purposes.

We look forward to seeing you on these days!

The final of our special events will be for military history fans: Movie Night at the Walkway, featuring a public screening of the 2006 film Kokoda (rated M) in Rhodes Park (commencing 8.00pm), offering a memorable evening of film, history and community. Our thanks to Roadshow PPL for the Kokoda screening licence.

Activities ahead of the screening:

• Talk 1: Robyn Kienzle will present ‘On the Trail of an Extraordinary Man: Captain Bert Kienzle, The Architect of Kokoda’, sharing insights from her book Architect of Kokoda, telling the story of Bert Kienzle through a deeply personal and historical lens, alongside Soc Kienzle.
• Talk 2: Dr Jan McLeod will present ‘Long Shadows: Revisiting Private Nick Kennedy’s Diary of the Kokoda Campaign‘, based on her Kokoda-related writing and research in her two books Shadows on the Track and All the Broken Soldiers.
• Tickets for the film screening and guest talks will be available via Eventbrite.
• The Education Centre will also feature Kokoda-related memorabilia displays from Soc and Robyn Kienzle and Jan McLeod, adding another rich dimension to the evening.
• KTMW volunteer guides will lead tours of the Memorial Centrepiece, offering visitors a deeper connection to the Walkway and its stories.
• Before the screening begins, guests can enjoy dinner from one of our market food stalls.
• Guests may also purchase quality second-hand military history books and DVDs.

The tentative schedule is:

4.00pm: Memorabilia display opens, military history book/DVD sales commence, food stalls open.

5.35pm, 5.50pm, 7.10pm: Memorial Centrepiece tours (meet at Centrepiece).

4.30-5.30pm: talk by Robyn and Soc Kienzle (bookings required)

6.00-7.00pm: talk by Dr Jan McLeod (bookings required)

8.00-9.45pm: screening of ‘Kokoda’ film (rated M) in a marquee under cover near the covered BBQ facilities. Seating provided or bring your own beanbag or low chair (bookings required).