Kokoda, Round 10

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Hawthorn Football Club

Season 2010 > Kokoda, Round 10

Hawthorn Football Club is proud to confirm that the Club’s Round 10 match against the Swans at the MCG on Sunday 30 May 2010 will be representing Kokoda and raising funds for the Kokoda Track Foundation.

The Round 10 match will embrace the values and qualities inscribed on the four black granite pillars at the Isurava Memorial in Papua New Guinea, which remember those Australian and Papua New Guineans who fought and those who died on the Kokoda Track.

The four pillars read: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice

The Kokoda Track Foundation, chaired by historian and author Patrick Lindsey manages a series of much needed education and health programs along the Kokoda Track. In particular, the Kokoda Track Foundation delivers health support to the children of the Track, who often struggle to receive basic medical care. The Foundation also provides education to the children of the Track, a basic social need which is often denied through lack of funding.

Hawthorn Football Club, under Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson, has trekked the Kokoda Track on three occasions and the trip now forms an important part of the cultural induction of new players to the Club. Hawthorn has sent 124 Club representatives including coaches, players, board members, corporate partners and administrative staff on its three expeditions.

The Hawks’ initial trip to Kokoda was supported by Hawthorn Director Geoff Harris, who along with Club president Jeff Kennett sought to bring a more significant recognition by the Club to the importance of not only the great sacrifices made by Australians and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels in the battles along the Kokoda Track in the Second World War, but to extend our collective hand of friendship and support to the families who live along the Track today.

One of Australia’s most important war-time battles was The Kokoda Track and Hawthorn Football Club and the Kokoda Track Foundation hope to continue to raise awareness of this important period in the history of Australia and Papua New Guinea and the brave nationals of both countries, many of whom gave their lives to protect our shores.

Visit the Kokoda Track Foundation website.

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