Among Silas's projects was a great deal of survey work and biological research including the descriptions of many new species of plants, frogs and insects.

It was his fascination with Papua New Guinea that saw him apply for the short-term position with the Kokoda track authority this year.

While he spent three months back in the country, Janine and Oscar also managed to join him for a month. They met up with old contacts and, according to Silas, "quite enjoyed renewing old skills" with the local language.

"Getting back into the local culture was exciting. It's always interesting being a minority person in another environment," he said.

The Kokoda Track Authority is funded by the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. The authority's work is widespread, involving organisational development, track assessments (checking the degradation) and liasing with the 60 or so trekking companies and interest groups such as the Kokoda Track Foundation, the Kokoda Track Memorial Foundation, the RSL and Rotary.

"A lot of Taree people have been to the region over the years to work on Rotary projects," Silas said.

He described his own work there as "very challenging" given the myriad issues needing resolution if the track is to survive its growing level of interest by outsiders.

Issues such as toilet facilities, removal of litter, soil erosion and the spreading of weeds are all high on the agenda.

"There is now lantana on the track," Silas said, not to mention the fact that some of the pit toilets have been positioned very close to watercourses and are causing their own environmental problems.

"The increased number of walkers means that consultants have had to be engaged to monitor and report on the impacts," he said.

Much of the funding for the track comes from the Australian government, although the tourist dollar is now not to be discounted.

"The majority of trekking companies are very responsible and put money back into the local community through schools, health facilities and sponsorship.

"There is also a high expectation from the local community (through tourism opportunities)," he said. He also believes that training of the local people, especially in management, is crucial.

Silas enjoyed the opportunity while there of walking the track himself, which he had never done.

He flew into Kokoda and walked to Owens Corner, by himself, which took him five days.

His advantage was that he was fit, has done a lot of hiking in his time, and knew the conditions to expect. The walk gave him an excellent opportunity to look at the track conditions, sample the night-time shelters which are mostly in villages, and meet with the chiefs to discuss changes that are needed.

"It was still very challenging as it was at the height of the wet season and rained every day."

He encountered some tricky river crossings and averaged a leech each day. A few weeks after he completed his trek, two Australians (including former Taree High School student Chris Frost) died while walking the track. While the Track Authority receives no formal notification of such deaths (walkers are deemed to be clients of the trekking companies), Silas said any death is distressing to everyone concerned.

He cannot stress enough the need for would-be walkers to be thoroughly prepared.

"A lot of people only go there to walk the track, and even though they may consider themselves prepared, they are mostly coming from a temperate climate.

"They fail to realise the difference between that and a tropical climate, and the extreme humidity. I believe they should allow themselves time to acclimatise first."