About Us

Commemoration

The public are welcome to attend any of our commemorative services.

Each year the Walkway hosts commemorative services for ANZAC Day, Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day and Kokoda Day, and other informal wreath-laying services.

Faces of Kokoda and Volunteer Guide Displays

Faces of Kokoda

As the Walkway marks the 30th anniversary of its Memorial this year, a special Faces of
Kokoda installation will form part of the commemorations.

Following an extensive project (resulting in the online Kokoda Honour Roll) to identify those who lost their lives along the Kokoda Track and, wherever possible, locate their photographs, their faces will be displayed for the first time at corresponding locations along the Memorial Walkway.

The installation offers visitors a poignant and personal connection to the servicemen behind the names and stories.

Volunteer Guides

The Walkway is also proud to acknowledge the service of five former Kokoda and New Guinea veterans who were long-standing Volunteer Guides at the Walkway. The display features:

  • Arthur James (Jim) Bell (1922-2008), 3rd Battalion, Private NX77687;
  • Lloyd Eric Birdsall (1924-2021), 14th Field Regiment, Signalman NX151814;

  • Reginald (Reg) James Chard (1923-2026), 55/53rd Battalion, Private NX134343;

  • Norman (Norm) Leslie Ensor OAM (1922-2017), New Guinea Line of Communication Signals, Signalman NX80256; and

  • Norman (Norm) Bernard Pfoeffer (1914-2009), 2/1st Battalion, Corporal NX60490.

These brave and humble men recalled their first-hand experiences to school students over many years, and are displayed in the front garden adjacent to the Education Centre as a tribute to their service and support for the Walkway.

Both installations will remain on display until early December, and we encourage you to visit the Walkway to view these touching tributes to a unique group of Australians. Lest we forget.

Visit the Walkway and view the special displays around the grounds to honour past Volunteer Guides and those who lost their lives in the Kokoda campaign.

 

 

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES

For 30 years, the Walkway has proudly hosted regular commemorative services. The three formal services are for Anzac (usually prior to ANZAC Day), Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day (15 August) and Kokoda Day (3 November).

The public are welcome to attend all services.

The Walkway also hosts less formal wreath-laying events to commemorate other significant dates such as Remembrance Day.

Also, the Walkway is often visited by individuals or groups with a commemoration or defence background who also take the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Memorial Centrepiece.

The public are welcome to attend any scheduled service at the Walkway.

 

 

DATES FOR SERVICES

Commemorative services in 2027

  • ANZAC Service: Saturday 24 April (10.30am start)
  • Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day: Sunday 15 August (2.00pm start)
  • Kokoda Day: Wednesday 3 November (10.30am start)

 

Note the dates for 2027 services

 

 

2026 Kokoda Day

Our special guest of honour of the 2026 Kokoda Day service was Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Other special guests were the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Acting Prime Minister, and the Archbishop of Rabaul Rochus Josef Tatamai, M.S.C. We also welcomed other representatives from State and Local Government, current Defence members, many NSW RSL Sub-Branches, school and community groups, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps. Lest we forget

 

2026 Victory in the Pacific (VP) Service

On 15 August, over 250 attended our annual VP Day service, marking 81 years since Japan surrendered at the end of World War II. Sadly it was our first VP Day service without a WWII veteran being present and we observed a minute’s silence to remember those we lost in recent months. Our guest speaker Jason Yet-sen Li, MP for Strathfield, was both eloquent and thought-provoking in his address which gave us valuable insights on why current and future generations should continue to honour those who served during the war.

Meantime, Federal, State and Local Government representatives, Defence members, NSW Police representatives, NSW RSL Sub-Branches, school and community groups, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps attended on the day and paid their respects.

See here for the moving ‘visual reflection’, which focussed on commemorating 85 years since the Concord Repatriation General Hospital opened during the war in 1941 – as the 113AGH.

Lest we forget.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES: IMAGE GALLERIES

2026 ANZAC Service

Our 2026 ANZAC Service was held on 18 April. General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd), 26th Governor-General of Australia was our guest speaker. We also welcomed the Hon. David Harris, MP, Minister for Veterans as well as other State and local government representatives, Defence, RSL Sub-Branch, school and community groups, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

See here for the ‘visual reflection’ featuring the famous Australian Light Horse contingent that was shown on the day.

Lest we forget.

2025 Kokoda Day service

This year’s guest speaker was Capt. The Honourable Dennis Cowdroy AO KC RAN (Ret), who spoke eloquently about the hardships and service of those who experienced and endured the Kokoda campaign in 1942. A crowd of over 300 attended, including WWII veterans Reg Chard and Allan Whicelo.

The service included:

  • ceremonial planting of soil obtained from the Kokoda Plateau in PNG
  • a new Honour Roll webpage was launched, featuring images and details of those Australians killed in the campaign.
  • the display of the original Australian flag raised at Kokoda in 194 and other Kokoda-related memorabilia, courtesy of Soc Kienzle (son of Capt. Bert Kienzle) and wife Robyn, and we thank them for travelling to attend our service.

Lest we forget.

 

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE FORMATS

Formal commemorative events

Our three main large services are held outdoors, adjacent to the Memorial Centrepiece, where covered seating is provided. Each service includes an address from a special guest, a ‘visual reflection’ on the large screen and a wreath laying ceremony.

Members of the public, school or community group representatives, serving or former members of the Australian Defence Force, and ex-service organisations are most welcome.

Planning for events begins well ahead of the date, and should you wish to receive an invitation or further details please contact us.

 

Informal wreath laying events

For the less formal wreath-laying events, interested ex-service groups or individuals are welcome to lay a wreath or a poppy at the Memorial Centrepiece at the scheduled time.

 

Other commemorative activities

The Board hosts visiting individuals or groups with a commemoration or defence background who wish to visit the Walkway, often paying their respects and lay a wreath at the Memorial Centrepiece (see the News & Events page for selected images).

The beautiful Memorial Rose Garden, a stunning permanent commemorative display, features over 500 plaques. Our ‘Stories from the Plaques’ series tells the stories of some who have a plaque in the Memorial Rose Garden.

The ‘Beyond the Battlefield’ series highlights military history-related events, as a tribute to those who have served.

Our commemorative events are meticulously planned, and are attended by many community, school and ex-service organisations.

PREVIOUS COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES

See our News & Events page for previous commemorative services, or contact our office for any photo enquiries.

 

SUPPORT THE WALKWAY

The Walkway’s success is dependent on the goodwill and services of many volunteers. You may wish to support the Walkway by becoming a volunteer, joining the Friends of Kokoda or by donating

SUPPORT US
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