Coming up to ANZAC Day I’ve been thinking a lot about the ANZAC spirit and attitudes of Courage, Mateship, Endurance and Sacrifice. Spending a week in Kokoda last year with WW2 veterans gave me incredible insights into life under fire and the absolute essentials for survival that could only be self-managed – the soldiers own mental and emotional state.
Bede Tongs, Kerrie Phipps, His Excellency Ian Kemish and Dr Genevieve Nelson
I’ve been coaching leaders to be aware of and manage their thinking for over 8 years (and on my own thinking-awareness journey), and after being in Kokoda I am only more convinced of the attributes for surviving and being successful on the frontline are essential attributes for everyday life, if we rise to live purposefully. You will have seen this in previous blogs.
So it was with great delight that I attended a corporate breakfast with Kokoda Track Foundation yesterday. One of the speakers was Bede Tongs MM (again, see previous blogs for our growing friendship and adventures) who began with his Dad’s story. Dr Genevieve Nelson-Hill, Executive Director spoke, plus KTF’s newly appointed patron His Excellency Ian Kemish, the former Australian High Commissioner to PNG. All of the speakers were inspiring and I came away with a clearer picture and greater commitment to supporting the work of the Kokoda Track Foundation. You’ll see in this video that I saw some of their work in and around Kokoda as I chatted with Genevieve before we left Kokoda in November last year.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eYREIevO7Y[/youtube]
It was wonderful to meet the KTF team, and to hear that they were delighted to see donations coming in from Dubbo after Bede’s visit. Lots of direct results from our school visits including solar lights for families with no electricity, chickens for families and microbusinesses, and mozzie nets to protect people from Malaria. If you haven’t seen the online store where you can make a difference check this out… Kokoda Givim Online Store.
My next adventure with Grandad is ANZAC Day tomorrow, so before I have more fabulous photos to share, here’s the chat I had with Grandad when we arrived home from Kokoda. Grandad and I were interviewed this week for Dubbo Weekender – can’t wait to see that when we get home from Sydney.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFAn9WhoMIk[/youtube]
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little update and wherever you are for ANZAC Day I invite you to consider and be grateful for those who’ve gone before and made sacrifices, many – the ultimate sacrifice.
On this note – I must let you know that you might really enjoy this weeks Young Achiever story – totally appropriate for ANZAC Day – and any day of the year – an Australian War Artist. More on LiftingTheLid.com
Cheering you on,
Kerrie
