The elite of Victoria’s hotel industry gathered Monday night to witness the unveiling of the winners of the AHA Victoria Awards for Excellence.
A stellar crowd of 1200 attendees graced The Palladium at Crown Casino to see who was crowned best of the year across 39 categories – including the new prize for People’s Choice.
The new People’s Choice award was open to all 134 nominees for 2016 and the Association notes its inaugural appearance was well received, with 3,000 votes cast by industry and the general public, resulting in a highly competitive battle and just 37 votes separating first and fifth place.
The coveted debut trophy went to Sale’s Criterion Hotel, described by one reviewer on Urban Spoon as “a lovely country hotel”.
Special mention also went to this year’s recipient of the Nikakis Award, “recognising an individual or organisation who by their sustained performance and commitment serve as an inspiration to all in the industry” in honour of the late Nick Nikakis.
This honour was awarded to AHA Victoria backbone member, Mark Robertson OAM. The Association reports that since joining the industry in the 90s, Robertson has “established a reputation as a no holds barred businessman and publican” – now boasting five Victorian hotels.
He was a driving force in establishing ‘HotelCare’ and his leadership in the HotelCare Golf Day has to-date raised over $2 million for some of the State’s most worthy charities and causes.
The AHA Victoria Awards for Excellence were established in the late 1980s, aiming to honour “hotels and pubs in Victoria that demonstrate excellence across a range of categories”.
(see full list of winners below)
WINNERS for 2016
Nikakis Award
Mark Robertson OAM
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional
Cardinia Park Hotel – Beaconsfield
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan
Zagame’s Berwick
Hotel Industry Rising Star
Jessica Arnold – San Remo Hotel, San Remo
Excellence in Service – Administration
Marcia Larkan – Skyways Hotel, Airport West
Excellence in Service – Gaming
Donna-Maree Furnari – Watergardens Hotel, Taylors Lakes
Excellence in Service – Front of House
David Ellis – Lord of the Isles Tavern, Newtown
Excellence in Service – Back of House
Daniel Hillman – The Bridge Inn Hotel, Mernda
Best Menu & Wine List
The Malvern Hotel, Malvern
Best Pub Restaurant – Regional
Tinamba Hotel, Tinamba
Best Pub Restaurant – Metropolitan
The Railway Hotel, Windsor
Best Bistro – Regional
Cardinia Park Hotel, Beaconsfield
Best Bistro – Metropolitan
The Pumphouse Hotel, Fitzroy
Best Family Dining
Knox Tavern, Wantirna South
Best PubTAB – Regional
Windermere Hotel, Kangaroo Flat
Best PubTAB – Metropolitan
Newmarket Tavern, Flemington
Best Gaming Venue with 50 machines or less – Regional
Windermere Hotel, Kangaroo Flat
Best Gaming Venue with 51 machines or more – Regional
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
Best Gaming Venue with 50 machines or less – Metropolitan
Westmeadows Tavern, Westmeadows
Best Gaming Venue with 51 machines or more – Metropolitan
Old England Hotel, Heidelberg
Best Keno Venue – Regional
Mildura Gateway Tavern, Mildura
Best Keno Venue – Metropolitan
Zagame’s Boronia
Best Public Bar – Regional
The Western Hotel, Ballarat
Best Public Bar – Metropolitan
Temperance Hotel, South Yarra
Best Theme Bar
Elephant & Wheelbarrow, Melbourne
Best Presented Beer
American Hotel, Echuca
Best Live Entertainment Venue
The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
Best Sports Bar – Regional
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
Best Sports Bar – Metropolitan
Zagame’s Berwick
Best Outdoor Area
Precinct Hotel, Richmond
Best Redeveloped Hotel
Somerville Hotel, Somerville
Best Retail Liquor Outlet
Old England Hotel, Heidelberg
Best Hotel Accommodation
Taylors Lakes Family Hotel, Taylors Lakes
Best Hotel – Pub Style Accommodation
Royal Mail Hotel, Yea
Best Environmental Practice
Kings Creek Hotel, Hastings
Best Marketed Hotel
The Western Hotel, Ballarat
Outstanding Achievement in Training
Kelly’s Motor Club Hotel, Cranbourne
Outstanding Community Service
Rushworth Hotel, Rushworth
Best Hotel Group Operation
Zagame’s Corporation
People’s Choice Award
Criterion Hotel, Sale