Firstly, we’d like to start by thanking everyone for hanging in there during the turbulent COVID time. As with any business it has been a very challenging time on many fronts. But the good news is we are well and truly back, fully supported, and with a full calendar of adventure and personal development initiatives. We have abunch of new initiatives and achievements to report with a continued focus on Authenticity, Immersion and Edcucation. We bring back Sandakan once again for later in 2024 as well as a host of father/son /mother/ daughter type personal development initiatives.
AUTHENTIC HISTORY ON THE KOKODA TRACK
2020 - 2023 was 3 years of education in so many ways for us, we spent most of that time researching every Digger that was killed or died on the Kokoda Track, Black Cat Track, and Shaggy Ridge in PNG. We've created a database of them, including the location they were killed or died, the date, and the actual contact. This further allows us to present an avenue of information that we believe no one has. So, combining this with the information that was given to us over 25 years ago by the diggers themselves, such as Ralph Honner, Stan Bisset, etc we can present an in depth picture of YOUR history, and relevent to the actual geography. Also, using our Sports Science background we have been able to calculate energy values and demands of the track such that our prepration programs can become even more specific to the event. And theres more.. we have gone so far as to also write a pschological performance program to teach you the mental skills necessary that are often tested on the track, we believe that you can separate mental and physical and train both individually.... a whole new concept!!....stay tuned. And there's more, We have gathered over 10 years of data re resilience, and we have now created an accademic mental health profile whereby we may feel it is not safe for a participant to walk the trek from a mental health point of view, not just physical and will say NO. This is a unique situation in our industry.
Given the current disconnection faced by many, we have decided to expand on our current offerings by presenting solutions with recreational activity and of course the … Camp FIRE (the classroom). This raw, uncomplicated setting provides the perfect conduit for individual and team growth. It becomes a classroom where each participant is valued, respected, and can speak confidently and openly around the community fire.Our qualifications, expertise and vast experiences provide you with access to Ex Physiologists, Nutritionists, Counsellors, Coaches underpinned by the philosophy of the Kokoda Track history and its learnings. With a major focus of staying in the present these camps teach you to set goals that you can achieve now.
Imagine this. It is May 1945. Clad only in ragged loincloths, over 500 skeletal creatures, barely recognisable as humans, struggle to their feet at the Sandakan POW Compound, on Sabah's north-east coast. Three long years in captivity, half of them on starvation rations and with little or no medical attention, have taken their toll. The grimy, wasted bodies of these once fit and strapping Australian and British servicemen are covered in sores and scabies, their filthy hair and beards matted and lice infested. Many are suffering from tropical ulcers, some so large that shin bones are clearly visible. They are bound for Ranau, a small village on the flanks of Mt Kinabalu, South East Asia's highest peak in the rugged Borneo jungle interior. The story of Sandakan and the death marches is one of the most tragic of World War Two. It is also one of the most heroic. Despite appalling conditions, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all..
More information and booking details can be found HERE
MEDAL REPATRIATION
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 throughout the 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. This is our 65th contribution to returning "unknown medals" to their rightful owners. We deliver them home, with no emphasis on us, purely the history of the medals and the righful owners history, once more back where they belong.
Personal development initiatives
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).
Speaking engagements/keynotes
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’. A fovourite at the moment is "who was the greatest teamto represent Australia?" 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.
PODCAST
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 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.
One of the key differences that sets us apart from our competitors is our qualification and experience. Using our exercise physiology background, over the next few months we will present the Kokoda track and other treks in their bare physiology, giving you an understanding of what these challenges require to be successful and how those learnings can be applied to your life.
Here is the latest BLOG on mental strength, which can also be applied to any given situation.
More information and booking details can be found HERE.
From all the staff at Our Spirit Adventures, We hope 2024 is an exciting Year and invite you to “experience what’s out there” by joining us on another adventure.
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Imagine this. It is May 1945. Clad only in ragged loincloths, over 500 skeletal creatures, barely recognisable as humans, struggle to their feet at the Sandakan POW Compound, on Sabah's north-east coast. Three long years in captivity, half of them on starvation rations and with little or no medical attention, have taken their toll. The grimy, wasted bodies of these once fit and strapping Australian and British servicemen are covered in sores and scabies, their filthy hair and beards matted and lice infested. Many are suffering from tropical ulcers, some so large that shin bones are clearly visible. They are bound for Ranau, a small village on the flanks of Mt Kinabalu, South East Asia's highest peak in the rugged Borneo jungle interior. The story of Sandakan and the death marches is one of the most tragic of World War Two. It is also one of the most heroic. Despite appalling conditions, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all...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).
One of the key differences that sets us apart from our competitors is our qualification and experience. Using our exercise physiology background, over the next few months we will present the Kokoda track and other treks in their bare physiology, giving you an understanding of what these challenges require to be successful and how those learnings can be applied to your life. 