The best of Victoria were front and centre as the industry honoured winners across 42 categories at the 2025 AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence.
A cornucopia of hotels and industry influencers made up an audience of more than 1,200 attendees at the sold-out event at Crown Palladium on Monday night, celebrating the hotel industry’s strengths and successes.
Each year the Awards’ most prestigious accolade is the Nikakis Benchmark Award, named in memory of industry icon Nick Nikakis, recognising an individual or organisation “whose sustained performance and commitment serve as an inspiration” to others. In 2025 this was granted to Bill Perry of The London Tavern Hotel.
“This publican has adapted with the times without ever losing the soul of the pub,” says AHA (Vic) CEO Paddy O’Sullivan.
“He has mentored generations, supported our industry quietly and steadily, never seeking recognition, just getting on with the job.”
Potentially a future Nikakis recipient, Dylan Tudor of the Grand Hotel Warrandyte was named Emerging Leader of The Year. It’s said Tudor is a natural leader with a friendly personality and infectious energy who ticked every box in the judging criteria.
“He’s been winning awards for community service since high school and continues to give back through volunteer work, which makes him not just a great hospitality professional, but a great person,” said the judges.
Also doing the job is Morgan Hampstead, of Sawyers Arms Tavern in Newtown, taking Venue Manager of the Year.
Dubbed Local Legend of the Year for 2025 was Craig Shearer, owner of The Terminus Hotel in North Fitzroy, who has “consistently gone above and beyond” to support those in need, contributing over $114K in sponsorship packages to local sporting clubs in just the past year.
The Commercial Hotel Woods Point emerged as the favourite in the coveted People’s Choice Award, determined by the general public. This was seen as a particularly impressive effort by publican Carley Burdon, winning over thousands of voters, after the hotel was awarded Best Bush Pub last year.
A Victorian obsession, Parma of the Year was hard-fought and the Star Hotel in Sale had to plate up a “perfect 100% score” parmigiana topped with shredded ham, house-made Napoli sauce and a two-cheese blend to win the Regional prize, while the Bay Hotel in Mornington echoed the perfection rating to take the Metropolitan crown.
Sentimental favourite Lockington Community Hotel took the gong for Bush Pub of the Year, in a “true testament to resilience and country spirit”.
The pub played a vital role as a community refuge during the Rochester floods, and recently facing closure the community of Lockington rallied to raise funds and worked to restore and revitalise their local. It has resumed as a hub for both residents and visitors, hosting events such as the Lockington Community Hotel Family Festival and Locktoberfest.
Heading up the majors, the Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan Award, presented by CUB, came down to a battle between nine finalists, before Hotel Sorrento took the honours, edging out The Continental Sorrento, the Terminus Hotel in North Fitzroy, and the Grand Hotel in Warrandyte.
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional went to Crown Hotel in Traralgon, for its exceptional service, venue experience and contribution to the local community.
And headliner category Best Hotel Group Operator – acknowledging the industry’s most prominent and dedicated players – went this year to JBS Hospitality Group, in recognition of “exceptional performance” in the operation of a range of venues across Victoria, including True South in Black Rock, Sandbar in Middle Park and The Bank on Little Collins.
“What a night to celebrate the great things about the hotel and pub industry … the outstanding individuals, rising stars and those operators who continue to invest, innovate, and excel,” championed David Canny, President of AHA (Vic) and AHA National.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Nikakis Award: Bill Perry
People’s Choice Award: Commercial Hotel Woods Point
Hotel of the Year – Metro: Hotel Sorrento
Hotel of the Year – Regional: Crown Hotel, Traralgon
Apprentice of the Year: Quinn Jacobs, Tinamba Hotel
Chef of the Year: Brendan Anderson, The Victoria Rutherglen
Emerging Leader of the Year: Dylan Tudor, The Grand Hotle Warrandyte
Excellence in Service: Maserina (Maz) Constantine, The Terminus North Fitzroy
Local Legends Award: Craig Shearer, The Terminus North Fitzroy
Venue Manager of the Year: Morgan Hampstead, Sawyers Arms Tavern Newtown
Best Casual Dining – Metropolitan: Sir Henry Barkly Hotel Heidelberg
Best Casual Dining – Regional: Sawyers Arms Tavern Newtown
Best Family Dining: West Waters Hotel & Entertainment Complex Caroline Springs
Best Pub Restaurant – Metropolitan: St Andrews Hotel Fitzroy
Best Pub Restaurant – Regional: Tinamba Hotel
Cocktail Menu of the Year: Camden Hotel Caulfield South
Best Live Entertainment Venue: Whalers Hotel Warrnambool
Best Outdoor Experience – Metropolitan: Trinity St Kilda
Best Outdoor Experience – Regional: American Hotel Echuca
Best Presented Beer: Bridie O’Reilly’s South Yarra
Best Pub Bar – Metropolitan: Bay Hotel Mornington
Best Pub Bar – Regional: Crown Hotel Traralgon
Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Notting Hill Hotel
Best Rooftop Experience: Hotel Lona Frankston
Best Specialty Bar: Belgian Beer Café Melbourne
Best Sports Bar – Metropolitan: Caulfield Glasshouse
Best Sports Bar – Regional: Grand Junction Hotel Traralgon
Bush Pub of the Year: Lockington Community Hotel
Parma of the Year – Metropolitan: Bay Hotel Mornington
Parma of the Year – Regional: Star Hotel Sale
Best Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Sorrento
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: JOINT WINNERS: Grosvenor Hotel St Kilda East & Mail Exchange Hotel Melbourne
Best Gaming Venue – Regional: Grovedale Hotel
Best PubTAB – Metropolitan: Central Hotel Beaconsfield
Best PubTAB – Regional: Grand Junction Hotel Traralgon
Best Function & Event Space: The Continental Sorrento
Best Hotel Group Operator: JBS Hospitality Group
Best Marketed Hotel: The Continental Sorrento
Best Redeveloped Hotel: The Victorian Rutherglen
Best Refurbished Venue Space: Sporting Globe Richmond
Heart of the Community: San Remo Hotel
Outstanding Achievement in Training: Grand Hotel Warrandyte
