Contributor Profiles

Aidan Grimes BSpSc - Founding Director

Aidan completed his 54th Kokoda Trek in August 2008, after thirteen years with his highly experienced and committed team, which includes a qualified paramedic.  He is our founding director and a master trek leader who is a tertiary qualified sports scientist majoring in coaching psychology, with postgraduate studies in nutrition.

Aidan has over 20 years corporate wellbeing experience and coaching sports at various levels.  He has worked with corporate giants such as Computer Associates; Microsoft; Nine MSN and Vodafone to name a few. Aidan has specialist capabilities in event design and management, performance and wellbeing coaching as well as team development and cohesion.  He has a life long passion for wellbeing with particular interest in sports psychology and extreme events.

Through historical benchmarks, extreme corporate events and personal development initiatives, he promotes a way of thinking that removes limitations and unearths a basic instinct inspired by the passion and spirit he believes is inherent in all Australians.  Ironically, Aidan is Irish and his own journey to live in Australia epitomises his life, message, business and goals.

A passionate philanthropist and war historian with an unsurpassed reputation for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Kokoda, Aidan inspires participants as they encounter the mental and physical challenges on the trek.  The local Papuan’s have honoured Aidan with the nickname “Uda Baroma” - meaning wild boar as a sign of respect for the incredible strength and leadership he has demonstrated over the past 13 years crossing the Kokoda Track.

Most recently, Aidan was voted in (by the majority of Kokoda trek operators) as the Chairman of the Kokoda Ethics Committee with the purpose of setting transparent and accountable standards and practices so that the “sacred” Legacy of Kokoda can be protected for all generations.

He is also an honorary member of the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalion Associations respectively, acknowledgement that underpins his deepest respect for the Australian Military whom provide us with the freedom and independence we enjoy as a nation today. 

Aidan has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Australian military history and is well reputed by senior war heroes such as Mr Stan Bisset, whom publicly acknowledged Aidan at the 2/14th Battalion Association annual reunion in July 2007 for his quality commemorative work undertaken on the Kokoda Track. Keith Norrish, President of the 2/16th Battalion Association is also able to attest to Aidan's professional reputation in this regard.

Listen to Aidan's passionate speach at the 2nd 14th batallion 2006 reunion.

Aidan is a man of integrity with a strong belief that his actions will always speak louder than words.  Over the past 8 years, Aidan’s contribution to various charities exceeds $2.5 million dollars. Aidan has achieved and celebrated a range of personal accolades.  In 2000 Aidan was named ‘NSW Community Father of the Year’, while developing and managing the Vodafone Extreme Corporate Challenge, which raised over $1 million dollars for the “Life's a Ball” youth suicide prevention program.

Follow the links below

• to view some of the acknowledgements of Aidan’s outstanding achievements.
• for more information on Our Spirit’s contributions to community support.

Gold Coast Business Excellence Award - July

In July 2008, Aidan proudly and gratefully accepted the tourism, hospitality and recreation award from Gold Coast Business Excellence.  Aidan comments, "our motivation in achieving this prestigious award is for the acknowledgement of our reputation for excellent business practices underpinned by our integrity and strong desire to ensure that Australian history and culture are recognised as an integral part of our tourism, hospitality and recreational endeavours.  We extend our gratitude to all our clients and contributors for their continued support that has enabled our success and potential for future growth."

Follow the link to review the Gold Coast Bulletin article below:

"Kokoda's spirit keeps Aidan on the right track" 25/07/08