The
Kokoda Memorial Foundation which is a non-profit organisation was formed in late 1998 after the four founding directors walked
the Kokoda Track as part of a guided tour. When they walked the Track they were
moved by it's history and touched by the people who greeted them with open arms
as they entered each village. However, a disappointing aspect was the lack
of memorials and historical information dedicated to the ferocious battles and
courageous acts by Australian soldiers that took place along this track against
the Japanese Imperial Forces.
All the directors of the foundation that volunteer their time
are fully employed and undertake the
different projects in their spare time, as has Dr Ross Bastiaan who was the designer of the Memorial Archway at Owers' Corner, and the sculptor of all the bronze plaques along the
Track. In addition the foundation has completed numerous water supply and maintenance projects in the local villages whilst working on the memorials.