![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/VenueManagerofth_54057.jpg?_t=1747879804\")
Sawyers Arms Tavern owner Paul Upham said he was incredibly proud of her efforts.<\/p>\n
“The work she has put in to operationalise all our new businesses has been enormous,” he said.<\/p>\n
“She’s really passionate about it, has been here for 11 years, and has been unbelievable for us.<\/p>\n
“There was like 12 finalists up for that award, so for her to come out with it was just amazing.<\/p>\n
“She’s done a power of work and it’s great to see her get some reward for it.”<\/p>\n
The Grovedale Hotel again took the Best Gaming Venue \u2013 Regional title, following Victorian and national wins in 2023.<\/p>\n
General manager Joel Taylor said he was incredibly proud of the whole team.<\/p>\n “The AHA Awards are a great event and a great way to celebrate venues and staff that excel.<\/p>\n “We always feel really honoured to be part of it,” he said.<\/p>\n “To win an award is just fantastic and is a real testament to the team.<\/p>\n “The manager Jayden and gaming manager Vanessa do a great job in there.<\/p>\n “It’s great for them to know what they are doing is at a high level.<\/p>\n “We will now push on and enter at the national event and will hopefully get a good result there too.”<\/p>\n Several venues from the region were also finalists in their respective categories:<\/p>\n Sawyers Arms Tavern \u2013 Hotel of the Year \u2013 Regional; Best Refurbished Venue Space; Parma of the Year \u2013 Regional; Chef of the Year (Mario Tambajong), Best Pub Restaurant \u2013 Regional.<\/p>\n Petrel Hotel \u2013 Venue Manager of the Year (Matt Drew); Best Redeveloped Hotel; Best Pub Restaurant \u2013 Regional.<\/p>\n Wharf Shed Geelong \u2013 Apprentice of the Year (Cooper Rickard).<\/p>\n Torquay Hotel \u2013 Best Live Entertainment Venue; Best Gaming Venue \u2013 Regional.<\/p>\n The Beach Hotel Jan Juc \u2013 Best Pub Bar \u2013 Regional; Best PubTAB \u2013 Regional.<\/p>\n Telegraph Hotel \u2013 Best Rooftop Experience; Best Function and Event Space.<\/p>\n Grovedale Hotel \u2013 Best Sports Bar \u2013 Regional; Best PubTAB \u2013 Regional.<\/p>\n Portarlington Grand Hotel \u2013 Best Hotel Accommodation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NEWTOWN’S Sawyers Arms Tavern has cleaned up in the Victorian division of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) State Awards for Excellence, claiming two major honours and five nominations as a finalist. The Noble Street restaurant was awarded Best Casual Dining \u2013 Regional, while employee Morgan Hampstead was honoured with Venue Manager of the Year status. […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/BestGamingVenue-_64587-1.jpg\")