Coombabah local treks Kokoda Trail in support of Pacific financial literacy program
COOMBABAH local and CUA (Credit Union Australia) Manager – Sales & Distribution for Financial Planning Shane Astwood recently undertook a gruelling nine day, 95 km hike on the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea to support the emerging credit union movements across the Pacific.
The Pacific Network program is an initiative of the Credit Union Foundation Australia (CUFA) which works in partnership with communities throughout the Pacific with the mission of promoting financial and social wellbeing and empowering communities through affordable financial services.
Mr Astwood said the trip to PNG had two components – trekking the Kokoda Trail and also meeting with local CUFA representatives.
“For part of my trip to PNG I was able to sit down and see how the locals operated within their culture, climate and geography,” he said.
“Three days during my trip were spent at Port Moresby with the PNG credit union movement where I was able to experience the challenges and successes the credit union movement faces there, and see first-hand how credit unions are benefiting communities in another country.
“I initially thought we were going to simply assist the local credit union movement and never expected to be equally influenced like I was – I got back to the roots of basic financial advice and also learnt that Papua New Guineans don’t really talk about what they have to do, they just get in and do it.”
Mr Astwood said he decided to take part in the challenge at the last minute after a colleague had to pull out due to an injury.
“As I had to step in for my colleague at such short notice I was not really able to do a lot of training. Fortunately I’m a Taekwondo instructor and am generally quite fit.
“In hindsight, however, trekking the Kokoda Trail was more of a mental challenge for me than a physical challenge. After coming back I think every Australian should undertake the challenge – it was incredible.”
To participate in the challenge Mr Astwood was required to raise a minimum of $3,000, which he was able to do thanks to previous fundraising done by the colleague he stepped in for, plus his own efforts.
“My colleague who had to pull of the trip managed raise half of the $3,000, and the rest was made up by the donations of generous friends and family and my own contribution.
“It was a privilege to be able to contribute part of my personal finances and time to such an important project and I can honestly say spending time with the Papua New Guineans learning about how they do finance and trekking the Kokoda Trail have both been life-changing experiences for me.
“I’ve learnt that sometimes when you make contribution with your time or finances, however small or insignificant it may seem to you, it can trigger bigger, positive changes in your life or even in the lives of others.
“And secondly, you will always get to your destination, it’s just a matter of time, and you have to take it one step at a time.”
To make a donation to the CUFA visit www.cufa.com.au.
