Eleven Local Government CEOs and Senior Managers travelled to Papua New Guinea in August 2011 to test their physical and mental toughness by trekking the famous Kokoda Trail.
Ninety six kilometres of treacherous terrain over the Owen Stanley Ranges in the footsteps of heroes tested the mettle of these professionals, and provided them with endless opportunities along the way.
Local Government attendees were CEO Longreach Regional Council Michelle McFadyen, CEO Diamantina Shire Council Scott Mason, Executive Area Manager Central Highlands Regional Council George Frangos, Project Officer at Diamantina Shire Council Alana Donovan, Redland City Council General Manager Development and Community Standards Toni Avery, Townsville CEO Ray Burton, Acting CEO Newcastle City Council Rob Noble, General Manager Corporate Services Port Stephens Council Wayne Wallis, and Western Downs Regional Council Environmental Health Coordinator Brenda Reardon, along with two retired CEOs John Wehlow and Tony Wehlow and various partners and children.
Rather than simply trekking as many thousands of Australians do every year, these trekkers added a little more to their experience.
The organisers worked with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), and the National Capital District Commission1 (NCDC) to add value to their trip.
From a welcome by CLGF Project Officer Lulu Ted and an induction regarding the trail by Chief Executive Officer of the Kokoda Track Authority James Enage, on their first night in Port Moresby, to meetings with Sohe District Administrator, Local Government President and Local Level Government (LLG) Manager of Kokoda Rural LLG at Kokoda, for the commencement of the trek, the Local Government group made the most of their time in PNG.
The trekkers also met with Councillors and Ward Development Committee representatives on four nights along the track.
Michele MacFayden said these meetings allowed the group to gauge the views on some of the priority needs of the communities and allowed it to return to Australia with some understanding of the community needs.
“Not surprisingly, their issues aren’t that much different to ours – a lack of resourcing and capacity – albeit their concerns are generally on a larger scale,” she said.
“The trek itself was a fantastic journey.”
“The history is so significant and important, and the camaraderie was second to none. “It was a wonderful opportunity to get together as a group of colleagues from across the Queensland and from parts of NSW, to undertake such a challenging and memorable journey.”
“Once back in Port Moresby, for five of the local government professionals, the journey didn’t end there.”
“The group stayed on in PNG to conduct a project with the National Capital District Commission.”
The NCDC employs over 600 people and around 30 of their senior managers took part in the two day program conducted by the local government group.
Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, the Local Government group teamed up with Townsville City Council who has an existing relationship with the NCDC, which has been progressing since 2000.
Townsville City Council and NCDC proposed a project focusing on communication, meetings and teamwork.
The Local Government group developed a series of workshops which were conducted with the NCDC Senior Management Team with the outcome of an Action Plan toward the development of a full Communication Plan.
Michele MacFayden said the great benefit of this project was that we were continuing to progress a project that had been going for 11 years and we knew that when we left, the project would continue through the existing relationship between Port Moresby and Townsville City Council.
While in Port Moresby, the group took the time to meet at the offices of the Kokoda Track Authority and discuss their vision for the Kokoda Track and the villages along it.
Michele MacFayden said it was a wonderful and unique experience.
“We are extremely grateful for the help we have received from the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and other agencies to get this off the ground and create such a worthwhile project.”
“It wasn’t one sided either – we all learnt from each other and enjoyed the experience. “There was over 250 years of Local Government experience on this trek and as an industry, we have so much to offer places like Port Moresby.”
The National Capital District Commission (NCDC) is the local authority for Port Moresby.
It functions as both Provincial or State, as well as local government and therefore is the most powerful local government in PNG.
The head of the NCDC is the Governor, Powes Parkop who is an elected Member of Parliament.
He governs a Board of Commissioners, some elected and some appointed by unions and other bodies.
