Sawyers Arms takes the cake at AHA Awards

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 – Regional, while employee Morgan Hampstead was honoured with Venue Manager of the Year status.

More than 1200 people attended Monday night’s gala event at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, with a diverse array of venues and influential figures in the sector honoured in 42 distinct categories.

Ms Hampstead was celebrated for her “remarkable leadership, unwavering commitment to her team and community, and proven business acumen.”

Her natural leadership has helped her deliver business success, with the launch of three new spaces within the existing venue and consistent outperformance of key business metrics.

 

Sawyers Arms Tavern owner Paul Upham said he was incredibly proud of her efforts.

“The work she has put in to operationalise all our new businesses has been enormous,” he said.

“She’s really passionate about it, has been here for 11 years, and has been unbelievable for us.

“There was like 12 finalists up for that award, so for her to come out with it was just amazing.

“She’s done a power of work and it’s great to see her get some reward for it.”

The Grovedale Hotel again took the Best Gaming Venue – Regional title, following Victorian and national wins in 2023.

General manager Joel Taylor said he was incredibly proud of the whole team.

“The AHA Awards are a great event and a great way to celebrate venues and staff that excel.

“We always feel really honoured to be part of it,” he said.

“To win an award is just fantastic and is a real testament to the team.

“The manager Jayden and gaming manager Vanessa do a great job in there.

“It’s great for them to know what they are doing is at a high level.

“We will now push on and enter at the national event and will hopefully get a good result there too.”

Several venues from the region were also finalists in their respective categories:

Sawyers Arms Tavern – Hotel of the Year – Regional; Best Refurbished Venue Space; Parma of the Year – Regional; Chef of the Year (Mario Tambajong), Best Pub Restaurant – Regional.

Petrel Hotel – Venue Manager of the Year (Matt Drew); Best Redeveloped Hotel; Best Pub Restaurant – Regional.

Wharf Shed Geelong – Apprentice of the Year (Cooper Rickard).

Torquay Hotel – Best Live Entertainment Venue; Best Gaming Venue – Regional.

The Beach Hotel Jan Juc – Best Pub Bar – Regional; Best PubTAB – Regional.

Telegraph Hotel – Best Rooftop Experience; Best Function and Event Space.

Grovedale Hotel – Best Sports Bar – Regional; Best PubTAB – Regional.

Portarlington Grand Hotel – Best Hotel Accommodation.