More than 1,200 industry professionals, leaders and guests gathered Tuesday to honour the stand-out achievements of the past 12 months, at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence for 2023.
The event was held for the first time at the WINX Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse, which facilitated pre-ceremony drinks and socialising on the winners’ circle lawns before lunch was served in the main hall during the presentation. Proceedings entered a third stage as attendees spilled onto the course viewing area for further beverages, desserts and entertainment by Thirty Merc.
Hundreds of worthy finalists vied for the honours and awards across a record 46 categories.
“This year, the calibre of finalists and winners has yet again proven the hospitality offering across NSW is nothing short of world-class,” stated AHA NSW CEO John Whelan.
In the all-important food categories regional pubs made their mark winning five of the top awards; East Gosford’s Elanora Hotel for Best Steak, Country Club Hotel Tooleybuc for Best Parmi, Fernhill Tavern Port Macquarie for Best Cheap Meal (under $15) and The Prince of Merewether for Best Burger – for the second year running.
The Best Metro Dining categories went to The Riley (CBD & Eastern), Harbord Hotel (Northern), Rocksia Hotel (Southern) and The Duke of Dural (Western).
And regional pubs shone in awards across the gamut, Public House Albury taking Best Marketing Activity, Gosford’s Drifter’s Wharf and Queanbeyan’s Tourist Hotel joint winners in Best Live Music Venue, Headlands Hotel’s Tahlia Grant granted the Industry Rising Star Award, and the important People’s Choice Award won by Bogan Gate Pub.
The White Cliffs Hotel was named Best Bush Pub, and Hotel Gosford named Best Regional Local.
But the lion’s share by a regional operation went to Armidale’s Tattersalls Hotel, awarded Best Restaurant and Best Steak Sandwich, Individual Hotel Operator of the Year, and major prize of Regional Hotel of the Year.
High-profile Sydney-based groups made a big show in the capital. The Colosimo family’s Momento Venues winning Best Wine List for the second year running at Sarino’s, in Mullane’s Hotel, and Best Metropolitan Local won by The Governor Hotel.
Best Late-Night Venue was suitably won by the Kospetas’ Universal in Darlinghurst, Cheung’s Coogee Bay Hotel was dubbed Best Outdoor Experience, and Redcape took Heart of the Community again.
The Solomon family’s operation picked up both Best Unique Bar Experience and Best Innovative Refurbishment for their work at the revived Abercrombie Hotel in Chippendale, Barangaroo House snatched Best Cocktail List, and Fernando Sanchez at Opera Bar earned Metropolitan Chef of the Year.
This year’s inductee into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame was NSW hotel industry legend and tireless patriarch of the Thomas family hotels, David “Taffy” Thomas.
However, amongst the recognition, Arthur Laundy and extended family were the biggest trophy-haulers of the day, resulting in a half-dozen titles, along with Best Traditional Pub Accommodation for the big man’s nephew’s pub, the Tea Gardens Hotel.
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel claimed Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation ($130 and over), the Woolly Bay Hotel got the gong for Best Metropolitan Re-development, the Marsden Brewhouse was named Best Family Friendly hotel, the Log Cabin at Penrith was deemed Metropolitan Hotel of the Year, and after many decades on the job, Laundy Hotels was crowned Group Hotel Operator for 2023.
The family operation began in 1948, when Arthur was only seven years old. In 1969 the passing of his father meant he had to step away from his own two hotels, head to Laundy HO at Bass Hill and get “head down bum up” to face the challenges and debts of the group.
Arthur attributes his work ethic to his parents, particularly his tireless mother, and worked hard for years toward growing the family empire, buying and selling pubs and accumulating freeholds.
Now at the ripe age of 82 years and titleholder on scores of pubs across the state, including many partnerships with first-time operators looking to get started, the senior Laundy was back on the job today, checking out the work done by his daughter Justine and her husband Nick Tindall at the Chittaway Bay, which, several years in the making, he tips may be a podium-holder at next year’s awards.
“I’m an old-style publican,” replies Arthur. “I like to say hello to everybody, maybe put some money on bar.”
On the Awards, he says “It is an honour, of course, and I was especially thrilled to see Taffy Thomas recognised for his work as the best hotelier I know.”
The Laundy machine now counts multiple generations, including three of Arthur’s grandchildren, and he says “there will be more”. He still works in the same office he has occupied for decades at Bass Hill, with staff he’s had for 35 years.
Asked what he thinks has led to today, the octogenarian explains there was plenty of hard work, but it could have been worse.
“When you’re doing something you enjoy, it’s a lot easier than when it’s something you don’t enjoy. And I love doing what I do.”
A full list of winners of this year’s awards can be found HERE.
