Trek Ambassadors

Sam Durland

Sam has trekked the Kokoda Trail, during which he had a memorable conversation with the celebrated Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel, Idiki Ovoru. Idiki, along with many others during the World War II Kokoda campaign, carried supplies to the front and escorted the wounded back to aid stations, sometimes transporting stretchers under enemy fire and across mountainous terrain. Sam is a Certified Management Consultant and a Chartered Professional Engineer. His work has taken him to more than 20 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and South America. Sam, a WPF Board member, has trekked many of the world’s most famous trails. He will actively encourage hiking clubs and Australian organisations with PNG interests to participate in and share his trekking tips during the Challenge.

Sam is committed to another 96km for TREK.

Pauline Markwell

Pauline, a long time WPF Board member, will walk 96 km for TREK. Her trekking will include the Flinders Range in South Australia in May as well as many Sydney and coastal walks. Pauline passionately believes in the rights of women to manage and control their own bodies and their fertility to determine the number and spacing of their families. She is very concerned that Australia should be increasing support for its regional neighbours to help these countries be able to manage their affairs consistent with the long term good of individual citizens, families and the regional affairs. She is also very concerned about the growing world population, and in particular the doubling of PNG’s population every generation, and the impact this has on individuals, countries and the ability of our environment to survive. Last year, Pauline walked along the Larapinta Track in the Northern Territory.

Amelia Brandon

Amelia Brandon is a 13-year-old school girl who is interested in helping women and girls in PNG and neighbouring countries of Australia.

Amelia has set her TREK challenge as 96kms, the full length of the Kokoda Track. Her trekking will include a lot of sports including football, cricket, softball, AFL and rugby 7s in both school and club.

Amelia has personally mobilised her school, Pymble Ladies College, to take up TREK as a charity fundraiser and as a way of spreading the messages about the value and need of contraception for girls and young women in PNG.

Amelia wants all women and girls to have the right to an education and the ability to determine what they want with their own bodies.