Ex- soldier seeks closure at Kokoda
TREKKING Kokoda will be a once- in- a- lifetime experience for former army paramedic Dale Street, who is hoping to find closure following lifealtering events that occurred during his military service.
The former army sergeant, with 13 years of full- time service behind him, has been sponsored by Mates4Mates to travel to PNG next month to walk the Kokoda Track. Suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder, osteoarthritis in both knees and other physical injuries, Mr Street was medically discharged in 2012 after serving in both East Timor and Afghanistan, losing many mates to war along the way.
“Kokoda is something I’ve always thought about but never really acted upon, so when this opportunity present- ed itself I decided to sign up,” Mr Street said.
“Mentally I think I will struggle with the scenarios we’ll be going through and the areas we’ll be going through so it will be good to have my wife Michelle there for support.’’
Mr Street will leave Brisbane for Kokoda on August 7 for his eight- day adventure.
To get involved with Mate4Mates, go to mates4mates. org