Firstly, we’d like to start by thanking everyone who chose to come on an adventure with us this year. We hope you had an awesome experience and have lots of wonderful memories to share with family and friends as you celebrate over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
It’s been an action-packed year for Our Spirit Adventures. Founding director, Aidan Grimes completed his 124th crossing of the Kokoda Track, which is more than any other Australian. We successfully completed our 14th year of partnership with NSW Police Legacy to provide the annual ANZAC Day Kokoda Trek, and in the coming year we have expanded this project to include police officers, legatees and emergency services personnel from all states and territories.
On ANZAC Day this year, Aidan was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea in recognition of his services to the PNG community and Kokoda region. Aidan humbly accepted this award on behalf of everyone trying to do their bit to make a positive difference for the betterment of humanity and in particular, those less fortunate. This recognition is also a testament to Aidan’s integrity, ensuring the Digger’s story is kept alive whilst providing direct and relevant support to the communities along the Kokoda Track, based on their individual needs.
In September, our Spanish Camino adventure was a tremendous success with everyone in the group enjoying their unique experience as they completed ‘the way’, learning about different aspects of the history and culture and; importantly, developing lifelong friendships. If you missed out this year, don’t worry, this fantastic adventure is on again in 2020 and is fully supported by our team including an interpreter, first aid officers, drivers and historical guide.
More information and booking details can be found HERE
Away from the trekking, we’ve worked hard to research, acquire and return three significant military medals back to the soldier’s families. We look forward to continuing this tradition in the new year and hope that more families of past soldiers will be reunited with these symbols of recognition for the sacrifices their family member made fighting for our country and its freedoms.
Additionally, we’ve continued to support The Soldier Recovery Centre (SRC) in Robertson Barracks, Darwin by facilitating our tailored leadership course to help the soldiers get back on their feet and/or reintegrate back into civilian society. A similar leadership program was tailored to suit the specific requirements of the Australian Federal Police stationed in PNG and delivered with resounding success. Our dynamic programs offer a unique way of approaching human resource initiates and developing strategic teams with strong leadership through our two-day course (1st day theory/classroom 2nd practical application).
It’s also been a busy year on the stage as Aidan Grimes gave keynote presentations for many organisations, including universities, corporations, charities and government agencies. His keynotes varied in length and like our courses, were tailored to meet audience expectations and included topics such as ‘the significance of history, the role it plays in our lives today and how our future can benefit from these insights’. In his spare time, Aidan has also facilitated many school and community group Kokoda Track history presentations, to enhance their Kokoda experience and ensure the lessons of our ANZAC's are enduring.
Contact us HERE if you’d like to find out more about how we can assist your organisation’s specific needs with our tailored courses and keynote speeches.
Aidan is a fantastic storyteller and has a unique ability to convey “their story”, bringing history alive, like no-one else. Recently he conducted a podcast in conjunction with HYPE Co, on leadership, Kokoda and how the learnings can be applied to life. He looks forward to doing more podcasts soon, which we’ll share with you on all our socials (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc), as they become available.
We’ve got some exciting opportunities for you to join us on our newest adventures in the coming year, starting with our tour of the Western Front. This adventure commences in Verdun and ends in Ypres, where you’ll see the battlefields of the Great War and get a glimpse of what it would have been like in the trenches. There’ll be more information coming soon, so we’ll update you as details become available! Our second new addition for 2020 is our non-trekking Kokoda cultural and historical tour, which is designed for people who want to see the battlefields, understand the history and experience the local culture without all the strenuous walking.
More information and booking details can be found HERE.
Finally, we’ve successfully negotiated the reopening of the Black Cat Track in PNG and will be running two treks across this unforgiving, remote, and treacherous terrain. It’s the perfect adventure for those who have already completed the Kokoda Track and want to experience more of the ANZAC Digger's history at the next level.
More informaiton and booking details can be found HERE.
From all the staff at Our Spirit Adventures, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas. We hope 2020 is an exciting New Year and invite you to “experience what’s out there” by joining us on another adventure.
.jpg)
On ANZAC Day this year, Aidan was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea in recognition of his services to the PNG community and Kokoda region. Aidan humbly accepted this award on behalf of everyone trying to do their bit to make a positive difference for the betterment of humanity and in particular, those less fortunate. This recognition is also a testament to Aidan’s integrity, ensuring the Digger’s story is kept alive whilst providing direct and relevant support to the communities along the Kokoda Track, based on their individual needs.
In September, our Spanish Camino adventure was a tremendous success with everyone in the group enjoying their unique experience as they completed ‘the way’, learning about different aspects of the history and culture and; importantly, developing lifelong friendships. If you missed out this year, don’t worry, this fantastic adventure is on again in 2020 and is fully supported by our team including an interpreter, first aid officers, drivers and historical guide..JPG)
Additionally, we’ve continued to support The Soldier Recovery Centre (SRC) in Robertson Barracks, Darwin by facilitating our tailored leadership course to help the soldiers get back on their feet and/or reintegrate back into civilian society. A similar leadership program was tailored to suit the specific requirements of the Australian Federal Police stationed in PNG and delivered with resounding success. Our dynamic programs offer a unique way of approaching human resource initiates and developing strategic teams with strong leadership through our two-day course (1st day theory/classroom 2nd practical application).
