Plane crash near Kokoda

This year also saw the fatal crash of the Airlines PNG twin otter that was carrying 13 people to the village of Kokoda. Among those on board were 9 Australians and 3 Papua New Guineans. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the families who lost a loved one in this tragedy. Our thoughts and hearts are with you this Christmas. The Foundation has developed two scholarships in memory of two of the victims of the plane crash - the Matthew Leonard Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarship and the Kingsley Eroro Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarship.

Matthew Leonard was a well respected and loved member of the Malvern East fire brigade who worked part time for Melbourne-based tour company No Roads Expeditions. Matt was developing a great love and passion for the Kokoda Track and its wonderful people, and his family and friends have decided to honour Matt’s love for the Track by creating a school scholarship in his memory. The Matthew Leonard Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarship is awarded to students from Kagi village which is situated halfway along the Kokoda Track and is the PNG home for the No Roads tour guides. In 2009 the scholarship was awarded to Jordan Ghavo who comes from Kagi village. Jordan attends Kavovo Primary School and is in Grade 6 this year. Through the generosity of Matt’s family, friends, and work colleagues, the Foundation is able to support Jordan to complete his primary school at Kavovo and to go on to high school in one of the catchment area schools.

Kingsley Eroro was a well loved and respected Orokaiva man from Kokoda who enjoyed helping the local community whenever he could. Kingsley worked at the Porgera Joint Venture/Barrick (Niugini) Mine Site in the Porgera Valley near Mt Hagen. He was returning home to Kokoda on his tour break to spend time with his family when he died in the accident.  On certain occasions when asked by friends Kingsley acted as a guide on a number of crossings of the Kokoda Track. Kingsley is the elder brother of Russell Eroro well known to many Australians, particularly those who walked the Trail with Kokoda Trekking Ltd his local PNG based company operating out of Kokoda. Kingsley strongly believed in the importance of family, education, and a better future for the people of Kokoda and was dedicated to finding pathways for young Orokaiva people. The Kingsley Eroro Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarship will be awarded to Orokaivan students from the Kokoda district region who are embarking on secondary studies in 2010. The scholarship will be awarded to students from Grade 9,  who have demonstrated exceptional ability and promise for the future and who are committed to returning to Kokoda after their education to make a living and contribute to their community.

Please contact Genevieve Nelson if you are interested in making a specific donation to the Matthew Leonard or Kingsley Eroro Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarships.