HE may be 76 years old and have survived cancer, but that’s certainly not slowing down Geoff Zipper, who will set off on the gruelling 96km Kokoda Trek next week for the fifth time.
The Nelson Bay resident, known as ‘Swampy’, was a Fire and Rescue worker for 36 years until being medically retired in 2006 after being diagnosed with bladder cancer.
While he was undergoing chemotherapy, Geoff read three books about the Kokoda Trail, renowned as the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942 and today recognised as one of the world’s great adventure treks.
“It brought tears to my eyes and I vowed that if I ever had the chance, I was going to walk this trek,” he said.
Geoff undertook his first trek in 2019 at the age of 70, and has since returned three times, undertaking the arduous eight-day hike in both directions, enduring heat, humidity, river crossings – and lots of mud.
The narrow, single-file path winds through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, reaching elevations of over 2,000 metres and crossing rugged, remote terrain only accessible on foot.
“I come back a better person each time,” he said.
“I like to give something back, so I try to raise money for a worthy cause.”
This trek, he is supporting the Trans Tasman Cancer Research Group (TROG Cancer Research), a Newcastle-based not-for-profit organisation that leads world-class clinical trials focused on improving outcomes for those affected by cancer. TROG’s research focuses on radiation therapy for a range of cancer types – including breast, lung, prostate, skin, head and neck, gynaecological, and gastrointestinal cancers – and has contributed to significant improvements in cancer survival rates.
In the 1980s, many cancer survival rates were below 50 percent; today, thanks in part to clinical trials, some cancers now have survival rates above 90 percent.
Geoff, who has been training with 8-10km hikes each day, will set off on 30 June, walking with the Kokoda Spirit company. “It’s grueling, but we owe our soldiers who fought there a great deal,” he said.
“You get to meet lots of amazing people, both those on the trek with you and the local villagers. I’m looking forward to it.”
To donate to Geoff’s fundraiser, visit trogchallenge.gofundraise.com.au/page/Geoff-57691086.
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
