6 August 2015
AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER AND TEAM GO WAKABAOT LO WEATHERCOAST
Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne and his wife Dawn Bennett will go “Wakabaot lo Weathercoast” on Monday. They will be joined by Ben O’Reilly, Tanya Morjanoff and WO Gary Fuss, also from the Australian High Commission.
The group will start in Marau and travel by boat before walking across mountains to visit remote communities on the Weathercoast. The trip will cover over 260 kilometres of Guadalcanal.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the Weathercoast. It’s a part of Solomon Islands which is quite close to Honiara as a bird flies, but in many respects it’s very far away because of the rugged terrain between Honiara and the Weathercoast,” said High Commissioner Andrew Byrne.
“I’ve been planning to do a walk from the Weathercoast to Honiara for a long time, to visit the local communities all along the way.
“I want to hear about the opportunities and challenges before them in their daily lives, and to spend some time in fellowship with them. I’m looking forward to the feasting and the dancing!
“I’m delighted to be joined by my wife and three dedicated members of the Australian High Commission as we undertake this special walk.
“For many people on the Weathercoast and inland Guadalcanal, the only way to reach Honiara is by foot. What better way to connect with these people than to walk with them?” said High Commissioner Byrne.