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Track or Trail? - It's about respect!

Australia's paternalistic attitude towards Papua New Guinea is reflected in our refusal to acknowledge the official name of the Kokoda Trail as promulgated in the PNG Government Gazette No. 88 of 12 October 1972, page 1362, column 2. Notice 1972/28 of the PNG Place Names Committee. The official name is 'The Kokoda Trail'.

Since former Prime Minister Paul Keating kissed the ground at Kokoda in 1995 there has been much debate amongst amongst the commentariat, veterans, trekkers and latter-day historians. There are now as many opinions as there are commentators.

Some seem to have an anti-American axe to grind and are blind to the fact that the battle honour 'Kokoda Trail' was awarded to the 10 Infantry Battalions and the Pacific Islands Regiment who fought along the trail during the Kokoda campaign. Some give the lame excuse that 'track' is what the diggers called it so that's good enough for them! Most of the modern commentators have never served in the regular or reserve forces so they could not be expected to appreciate the significance of a battalion's 'Battle Honour'. They would be quickly frog-marched out of the battlalion area if they dared to suggest the battle honours be changed to reflect their politically correct views.

Even more disturbing is the Australian Government's refusal to respect the sovereign right of Papua New Guinea to name its own geographic features and refer to the official name that was gazetted on 12 October 1972.

When I first trekked across the Kokoda Trail in 1991 the sign below was located at Owers Corner by 'the traditional owners of the land'.

 

 

 

 

 

If the commentariat, disgruntled 'historians' or self-appointed custodians of 'political correctness' feels strongly about a change of name they should make a submission to the National Government of Papua New Guinea in accordance with the protocols that apply under their rules and regulations.

Until then the Australian government and its agencies should respect the official name contained in the PNG statute books - and the Battle Honours of the battalions who fought in the campaign - i.e. THE KOKDOA TRAIL'.