3 days ago
'No matter what's thrown at us': Dad and daughter's Kokoda mission for mum
Dad and daughter David and Jasmine Goode will begin an eight-day trek of the Kokoda Trail on Friday to raise money for cancer research.
David, of Clarence Town, said trekking Kokoda was "one of those bucket-list things".
"I'm excited but have a bit of caution. It's not going to be easy," David said.
He aimed to stay focused and mentally strong each day "no matter what's thrown at us".
Jasmine, 24, said it would be "a lot of consecutive days to push through".
With lightweight hiking gear and guides, she highlighted that they "have it so much easier than those who trekked the trail in World War II".
"I think the challenge for me will be mostly mental."
In World War II, 625 Australians were killed and more than 1000 wounded at Kokoda in a four-month battle with the Japanese.
The Diggers pushed the Japanese back from their aim of taking Port Moresby.
Jasmine, 24, is an electrical engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
"I have done some pack marching during my time in Defence, but nothing on this scale," she said.
The 96-kilometre trek will wind through narrow paths in the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, reaching elevations of more than 2000 metres.
They will cross rugged, remote terrain and face intense heat, humidity, steep climbs and unpredictable weather.
"The terrain will be relentless with slippery descents, river crossings and mud," said David, a former Navy serviceman who served on HMAS Townsville and HMAS Tobruk.
"I've seen the footage of the Kokoda Trail on Anzac Day. I really wanted to go there, do the trek and respect the guys who were there.
"I've spent time in New Guinea on patrol boats a long time ago."
In preparation, he climbed Tomaree Head at Shoal Bay a few times and "gave some stairs near my place a hiding".
Two former Navy mates - Damien Alexander and Shane Blundell - will join them on the trek, along with Michael Nolan.
The trek will support the TROG Cancer Research, which is based at Calvary Mater Newcastle.
The not-for-profit organisation runs clinical trials and works with more than 80 cancer centres across Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
TROG CEO Susan Goode is David's wife and Jasmine's mum.
"My mum passed from cancer about nine years ago," David said.
"Other family members have died of cancer. My father had cancer but he's recovered."
Susan used to work in cancer research at the University of Newcastle.
"When my mother first got cancer, they said she had a short-term prognosis," David said.
"Susan got my mum into a new research program in Sydney with radiation therapy.
"It gave her another five to six years. That therapy is now everywhere."
Jasmine added that "cancer touches everyone's life in one way or another".
"Any contribution I can make to cancer research is worth it.
"I've grown up seeing the passion behind this work and wanted to do something tangible to help."
Their goal is to raise more than $5000.
To support their trek, visit
Dad and daughter David and Jasmine Goode will begin an eight-day trek of the Kokoda Trail on Friday to raise money for cancer research.
David, of Clarence Town, said trekking Kokoda was "one of those bucket-list things".
"I'm excited but have a bit of caution. It's not going to be easy," David said.
He aimed to stay focused and mentally strong each day "no matter what's thrown at us".
Jasmine, 24, said it would be "a lot of consecutive days to push through".
With lightweight hiking gear and guides, she highlighted that they "have it so much easier than those who trekked the trail in World War II".
"I think the challenge for me will be mostly mental."
In World War II, 625 Australians were killed and more than 1000 wounded at Kokoda in a four-month battle with the Japanese.
The Diggers pushed the Japanese back from their aim of taking Port Moresby.
Jasmine, 24, is an electrical engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
"I have done some pack marching during my time in Defence, but nothing on this scale," she said.
The 96-kilometre trek will wind through narrow paths in the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, reaching elevations of more than 2000 metres.
They will cross rugged, remote terrain and face intense heat, humidity, steep climbs and unpredictable weather.
"The terrain will be relentless with slippery descents, river crossings and mud," said David, a former Navy serviceman who served on HMAS Townsville and HMAS Tobruk.
"I've seen the footage of the Kokoda Trail on Anzac Day. I really wanted to go there, do the trek and respect the guys who were there.
"I've spent time in New Guinea on patrol boats a long time ago."
In preparation, he climbed Tomaree Head at Shoal Bay a few times and "gave some stairs near my place a hiding".
Two former Navy mates - Damien Alexander and Shane Blundell - will join them on the trek, along with Michael Nolan.
The trek will support the TROG Cancer Research, which is based at Calvary Mater Newcastle.
The not-for-profit organisation runs clinical trials and works with more than 80 cancer centres across Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
TROG CEO Susan Goode is David's wife and Jasmine's mum.
"My mum passed from cancer about nine years ago," David said.
"Other family members have died of cancer. My father had cancer but he's recovered."
Susan used to work in cancer research at the University of Newcastle.
"When my mother first got cancer, they said she had a short-term prognosis," David said.
"Susan got my mum into a new research program in Sydney with radiation therapy.
"It gave her another five to six years. That therapy is now everywhere."
Jasmine added that "cancer touches everyone's life in one way or another".
"Any contribution I can make to cancer research is worth it.
"I've grown up seeing the passion behind this work and wanted to do something tangible to help."
Their goal is to raise more than $5000.
To support their trek, visit
Dad and daughter David and Jasmine Goode will begin an eight-day trek of the Kokoda Trail on Friday to raise money for cancer research.
David, of Clarence Town, said trekking Kokoda was "one of those bucket-list things".
"I'm excited but have a bit of caution. It's not going to be easy," David said.
He aimed to stay focused and mentally strong each day "no matter what's thrown at us".
Jasmine, 24, said it would be "a lot of consecutive days to push through".
With lightweight hiking gear and guides, she highlighted that they "have it so much easier than those who trekked the trail in World War II".
"I think the challenge for me will be mostly mental."
In World War II, 625 Australians were killed and more than 1000 wounded at Kokoda in a four-month battle with the Japanese.
The Diggers pushed the Japanese back from their aim of taking Port Moresby.
Jasmine, 24, is an electrical engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
"I have done some pack marching during my time in Defence, but nothing on this scale," she said.
The 96-kilometre trek will wind through narrow paths in the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, reaching elevations of more than 2000 metres.
They will cross rugged, remote terrain and face intense heat, humidity, steep climbs and unpredictable weather.
"The terrain will be relentless with slippery descents, river crossings and mud," said David, a former Navy serviceman who served on HMAS Townsville and HMAS Tobruk.
"I've seen the footage of the Kokoda Trail on Anzac Day. I really wanted to go there, do the trek and respect the guys who were there.
"I've spent time in New Guinea on patrol boats a long time ago."
In preparation, he climbed Tomaree Head at Shoal Bay a few times and "gave some stairs near my place a hiding".
Two former Navy mates - Damien Alexander and Shane Blundell - will join them on the trek, along with Michael Nolan.
The trek will support the TROG Cancer Research, which is based at Calvary Mater Newcastle.
The not-for-profit organisation runs clinical trials and works with more than 80 cancer centres across Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
TROG CEO Susan Goode is David's wife and Jasmine's mum.
"My mum passed from cancer about nine years ago," David said.
"Other family members have died of cancer. My father had cancer but he's recovered."
Susan used to work in cancer research at the University of Newcastle.
"When my mother first got cancer, they said she had a short-term prognosis," David said.
"Susan got my mum into a new research program in Sydney with radiation therapy.
"It gave her another five to six years. That therapy is now everywhere."
Jasmine added that "cancer touches everyone's life in one way or another".
"Any contribution I can make to cancer research is worth it.
"I've grown up seeing the passion behind this work and wanted to do something tangible to help."
Their goal is to raise more than $5000.
To support their trek, visit
Dad and daughter David and Jasmine Goode will begin an eight-day trek of the Kokoda Trail on Friday to raise money for cancer research.
David, of Clarence Town, said trekking Kokoda was "one of those bucket-list things".
"I'm excited but have a bit of caution. It's not going to be easy," David said.
He aimed to stay focused and mentally strong each day "no matter what's thrown at us".
Jasmine, 24, said it would be "a lot of consecutive days to push through".
With lightweight hiking gear and guides, she highlighted that they "have it so much easier than those who trekked the trail in World War II".
"I think the challenge for me will be mostly mental."
In World War II, 625 Australians were killed and more than 1000 wounded at Kokoda in a four-month battle with the Japanese.
The Diggers pushed the Japanese back from their aim of taking Port Moresby.
Jasmine, 24, is an electrical engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
"I have done some pack marching during my time in Defence, but nothing on this scale," she said.
The 96-kilometre trek will wind through narrow paths in the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, reaching elevations of more than 2000 metres.
They will cross rugged, remote terrain and face intense heat, humidity, steep climbs and unpredictable weather.
"The terrain will be relentless with slippery descents, river crossings and mud," said David, a former Navy serviceman who served on HMAS Townsville and HMAS Tobruk.
"I've seen the footage of the Kokoda Trail on Anzac Day. I really wanted to go there, do the trek and respect the guys who were there.
"I've spent time in New Guinea on patrol boats a long time ago."
In preparation, he climbed Tomaree Head at Shoal Bay a few times and "gave some stairs near my place a hiding".
Two former Navy mates - Damien Alexander and Shane Blundell - will join them on the trek, along with Michael Nolan.
The trek will support the TROG Cancer Research, which is based at Calvary Mater Newcastle.
The not-for-profit organisation runs clinical trials and works with more than 80 cancer centres across Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
TROG CEO Susan Goode is David's wife and Jasmine's mum.
"My mum passed from cancer about nine years ago," David said.
"Other family members have died of cancer. My father had cancer but he's recovered."
Susan used to work in cancer research at the University of Newcastle.
"When my mother first got cancer, they said she had a short-term prognosis," David said.
"Susan got my mum into a new research program in Sydney with radiation therapy.
"It gave her another five to six years. That therapy is now everywhere."
Jasmine added that "cancer touches everyone's life in one way or another".
"Any contribution I can make to cancer research is worth it.
"I've grown up seeing the passion behind this work and wanted to do something tangible to help."
Their goal is to raise more than $5000.
To support their trek, visit
