As a former solider, Gisborne’s Stewart Smillie knows the importance of preparation, mateship and endurance.
But he says even he was surprised by the physical and emotional mountains he had to scale along the Kokoda Trail.
Mr Smillie and brother-in-law Greg Deveson, also a Gisborne resident, recently returned from an epic journey along the track made famous by Australia’s World War II diggers.
While extensive training on Mount Macedon and cardio work in the gym had them physically ready, the 96-kilometre trek took its toll on their bodies.
Mr Smillie was amazed how the experience affected him emotionally.
‘‘It really crystallises the sacrifices some of those blokes made,’’ he says. ‘‘I wasn’t prepared for how emotional it would be.’’
Trudging through swamps, grasslands and dense jungle foliage in stifling conditions, Mr Smillie says the 12 crew on the trek with him forged a deep emotional connection to an important part of Australia’s military history.
‘‘As we were walking through, we were reflecting on how difficult it was, but we were all saying, ‘Imagine doing this in the wrong clothing, carrying a rifle and having someone shooting back at you’.’’
The bond between the Gisborne friends was strengthened and deepened.
‘‘We’ve known each other for 40 years, but we really got to know each other on the track,” Mr Smillie said. ‘‘Being ex-army, I understand the concept of mateship, but this was something else.
‘‘When you go to the memorials, they [acknowledge] courage, bravery, mateship and endurance … they’re all the characteristics of the Australian soldiers when they were over there.
“It was a very proud moment when Greg and I stood there, next to the mateship one.’’
