The 'Best of Kokoda' Ingram Micro Australia

Ingram Micro Australia (IMA) launched two promotional campaigns in September 2008 for it's Premier Partners and the annual Licensing Summit.

Both these campaigns culminated with the winners spending ANZAC Day on the Kokoda Track as part of an event called the "Best of Kokoda with IMA".

Twenty-six resellers from around Australia, plus supporting Vendor and IMA representatives, spent five days on the famous Kokoda Track, in Papua New Guinea.

The Kokoda Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96km overland in a straight line through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea.

It is renowned as the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.

John Walters, director of commercial sales and solutions group Ingram Micro, said it was a pleasure to host every one of the team of 36 on the "Best of Kokoda with IMA".

"At most times, people were all seriously outside our "comfort zones' and everybody in their own way had to dig deep," he said.

"Complaints were rare; encouragement everywhere; teamwork and support was throughout from the "interesting" landing on Efogi airstrip; to the emotionally charged, never to be forgotten, ANZAC Day Service on Brigade Hill; to the huge feeling of personal and team achievement as they all proudly walked through those Arches at Ower's Corner.

"They will saviour the "Best of Kokoda with IMA" for years to come."

At a two day Awards Dinner in Port Douglas, IMA handed out the following awards;

The Toshiba "Spirit of Kokoda" award for the person who exemplified the four principles of Kokoda being, Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice. This was selected by Angela Walker, John Walters & the Trek staff. The Toshiba "Spirit of Kokoda Award went to: Roy Pater from ComputerCorp

The Bruce Kingsbury VC Award for teamwork & selfishness throughout the Trek. This Award was for two individuals who looked after their team mates and they were selected by popular vote. The Bruce Kingsbury VC Awards went to: Roy Pater of ComputerCorp; and David Bowden from Harbour IT

The John Metson Award for perseverance & determination. This Award went to two individuals who did it "tough' but never gave up and were an inspiration to their team mates and they were selected by popular vote. The John Metson Awards went to: Maureen Henderson from Downs MicroSystems; and Craig Somerville from The Somerville Group 

Were you one of the resellers that went on the gruelling five day Kokoda Track? How did you feel after completing the journey? Tell us on our online forum