Administration & Committees

Bernie Egan - Honorary Treasurer

Bernie Egan Bernie was appointed Honorary Treasurer in September 2006. Bernie developed his passionate interest in PNG and the Track when he walked it with one of his sons in 2006 in memory of his late father-in-law. He spent 35 years with the Reserve Bank of Australia followed by 5 years with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Since 2008 he has consulted to Ernst and Young and undertaken a number of missions with the International Monetary Fund.

Salman Haq – Honorary Secretary

Salman was appointed Secretary in August 2006. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Salman’s career spans over 20 years including positions with Touche Ross & Co and Goodman Fielder Limited.

Justin Francis – Programs Committee

Justin Francis is a specialist in cultural and eco-tourism, with over 25 years experience in Australia and the Pacific in planning, conservation, sustainable tourism development and training. Justin works collaboratively with local communities, empowering them to increase their business opportunities and improve their development, through the identification, protection, interpretation and promotion of their natural and cultural environments. Throughout 2006 while he lived in PNG, Justin assisted KTF and the Tourism Promotion and Kokoda Track Authorities in developing training programs for Track guides and porters. Justin also worked with WWF and Conservation International in tourism awareness, local capacity mapping and ecotourism training. He has visited the Track with KTF, monitoring the Scholarship and School Resource Program and exploring ways to ensure the village communities benefit from those walking the Track as well as Australia’s public and private commitment to it.

Paul Croll – Programs Committee

Paul Croll Paul was introduced to the magic of Kokoda more than 13 years ago while filming a documentary on the Track for an Australian television network. "After the initial, physical and mental shock of trying to work in such a demanding environment, I became captured by the spirit of the place and resolved myself to ensure the story of the men who fought there would be told". Paul has been part of the evolution of the Kokoda Trekking industry and is one of the most respected and experienced guides on the Track. He is a former director of the Kokoda Track Foundation and now plays an invaluable advisory role on the KTF programs sub-committee.