Vietnam Vet speaks about Kokoda Trek
1 May 2008
James Affleck is a retired local farmer, a Vietnam Veteran, an author of five books on military history, and more recently a public speaker.
His 2007 trek to the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea has resulted in a number of invitations to talk about the trip, including a recent presentation in Melbourne for Anzac Day this year.
Mr Affleck is well known locally as “Bim” and farmed for many years at his family’s historic grazing property “Minjah”, north-east of Hawkesdale.
He has been invited by the Hamilton and District Aged Care Trust to talk about his trek to the Kokoda Trail, and its meaning to him as a keen military historian, at an evening at Murray Hall at the Hamilton and Alexandra College on Thursday, May 22.
Aged Care Trust president Mrs Jenny Gubbins said “we are extremely fortunate that he has agreed to speak to us, as he is so much in demand”.
The Kokoda Trail was a path that linked Ower's Corner, about 40km north-east of Port Moresby, and derived its name from the village of Kokoda that stood on the southern side of the main range and was the site of the only airfield between Port Moresby and the north coast.
The Kokoda Trail fighting was some of the most desperate and vicious encountered by Australian troops in the Second World War. Although an invasion of Australia was never going to be the outcome from the successful capture of Port Moresby, victory on the Kokoda Trail ensured that Allied bases in northern Australia would not be seriously threatened by air attack.
About 625 Australians were killed along the Kokoda Trail and more than 1600 were wounded. Casualties due to sickness exceeded 4000.
Mr Affleck’s interest in military history was fostered in part to family association, and also because of his involvement in the Vietnam conflict.
He has been an active supporter of ex-servicemen and their families, including serving two terms at president of the Warrnambool Legacy Club and taking on the position of Chair for the National Conference of Legacy Clubs in 2005.
Mr Affleck has written five books on military history including Geelong Grammarians at the Great War, Geelong Grammarians at the Second World War and Geelong Collegians at the Great War.
At the Aged Care Trust evening, Mr Affleck will speak about the Kokoda Trail, as well as his planned trip to Gallipoli in 2009.
The Aged Care Trust is a volunteer organisation which for the past 15 years has raised funds for the Grange Residential Care Service.
The cost for the evening is $35, which includes drinks and finger food before the presentation, and cake and coffee to conclude.
Bookings can be made by phoning Robyn Paton 5572 5992 or Diana Smith 5572 5773.