These simple crooked and rugged branches from the tallest of dead Budgeroo trees
at The Stiks are a source of inspiration for Guy.
The branches are extremely difficult to find and are carefully selected in
order to meet a number of criteria before they are deemed be acceptable for this
collection. They must be curvaceous, have many knotty burls
and other gnarled features that are unique to Budgeroo. The exterior must have been
scavenged by termites to expose the twisted grain of the sun bleached sap wood.
Lastly, they must be capable of being wall mounted.
The pieces are named after the cool creeks that cascade from high in the mountains of the
Owen Stanley Range into the Kokoda Valley (also know as the Yodda Valley).
The
collection honours the Australian Diggers of the Kokoda Campaign of 1942 as well
as the memories of the people and places of the Kokoda Valley.
This carving is named in honour
of the Creek that cascades 3,000 meters down from the peak of Mt Victoria into the
Kokoda Valley.
"Komo" Sold
This long sculpture with its remarkable "W" shape, is mounted above the bar in the billiard room of a wood art collector's
beautiful home in Brisbane. "Iora" pictured below is also part of their
collection.
"Yodda"
Sold
This creek was made famous during the late 1800's when
over 1,000 Australian diggers were on a quest to mine alluvial gold that that was found
in the Yodda valley in which Kokoda township is now situated.
"Fala" (Sold)
The Fala creek flows from the mountain of the same name into the Kokoda Valley near the Kokoda airstrip.
"Ovei" (Sold)
Ovei Creek has its source at the top of the Owen
Stanley range between Mt Thumb and Mt Victoria. Even when it
reaches the Yodda Valley some 3,000 meters below it is still very fast
flowing and cold to swim in. The Breay family lived in a
house near this creek when they were first stationed at Kokoda. This sculpture hangs high on their verandah at The Stiks.
"Faiwani" (Sold)
The carving and polishing of this rugged Budgeroo Branch represents the hardships
and battles the Australian Diggers endured defending their positions in
the Kokoda Rubber Plantation adjacent to Faiwani Creek in August 1942. Due to
being overwhelmed by the Japanese invaders, they were forced to retreat
further up the steep Owen Stanley Range where they continued fighting
valliantly.
"Iora" (Sold)
"Iora" and "Flame of the Forest" enhancing the sitting room wall of a wood art collector's beautiful home in Brisbane.
The Iora creek is perhaps the most famous creek along the Kododa Trail, which
follows and crosses this creek until it reaches the Kokoda Gap in the Owen Stanley Range.
Ioribaiwa village is situated adjacent to the Iora Creek. It was at the Battle
of Ioribaiwa in September 1942 that the Japanese were finally halted by the
Australians. The Battle is commemorated at Ioribaiwa village by a War Memorial
dedicated to those who fell in the Kokoda Campaign.
"Iora" is pictured here in pride of place in a wood art collector's home in Brisbane.
In July 1985, Guy and his two sons Geoffrey and Kimai aged 9 and 8
trecked the Kokoda Trail. They were accompanied by Graham
Maskiell, Neil Peace, Kevin Kaeser
and Mick Power.
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Crossing the Iora Creek
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Arrival at Owers Corner near Pt Moresby
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