Local Member for Drummoyne, Ms Stephanie Di Pasquale MP, spoke of the importance of the Walkway, and urged all levels of government to support the Walkway into the future.

On 15 November 2024, Ms Stephanie Di Pasquale MP, Member for Drummoyne, spoke in the NSW Legislative Assembly about the need for ongoing financial support for the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway.

As our local member, Ms Di Pasquale is a regular visitor to the Walkway, the latest on Kokoda Day on 3 November.

In her address, Ms Di Pasquale stated that the Memorial is a ‘community memorial’, and urged the NSW Government to work with the Federal Government to continue funding the Walkway’s operations. Ms Di Pasquale praised the Walkway’s role in educating younger generations on the history and importance of the Kokoda campaign, calling the site both ‘a memorial and education instrument’.

The role of the native Papuans was also praised, and Ms Di Pasquale quote KTMW Board Member Charlie Lynn OAM IL, who noted at the Kokoda Day service that ‘it’s not too late to honour their [the natives’] legacy of service and sacrifice’.

Ms Di Pasquale also praised KTMW Board Chair Jennifer Collins AM, and Board Director Alice Kang OAM for their tireless work associated with the Walkway.

We thanks Ms Pasquale for her advocacy, and you can see the full speech here.