It was a night for winners and grinners at the AHA Awards. Photo: Supplied, AHA.
The hotel and hospitality industries gathered together last night at the National Museum for a red-carpet awards night, celebrating the best of the best in Canberra. The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) runs annual awards at both the state and territory level and nationally, recognising excellence in the industry.
It was a night to celebrate for Kingston sports pub and bar The Dock. They went home with three awards, for Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, Hotel of the Year (where ‘hotel’ refers to traditional pub, rather than accommodation) and the Heart of the Community award, which means a lot to owner Glen Collins.
“We love hosting the Anzac Day Dawn Service and charity fundraisers throughout the year, but our ongoing involvement with Running for Resilience is definitely The Dock’s greatest achievement,” he told Region.
“Running for Resilience is a community running and walking group that meets at The Dock three times a week. Its main purpose is mental health awareness, with the goal of having a suicide-free ACT. We started five years ago with 10 or 15 people, and now we get upwards of 400 people every Wednesday night.”
Glen Collins (L) accepting the award for Hotel of the Year. Photo: Supplied, AHA.
Glen was also very proud to have held onto the Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, which The Dock has won every year since it opened in 2014. He says it all comes down to the staff.
“It’s 100 per cent down to the people who have been involved and all the hard work they do to provide a welcoming, safe and fun atmosphere at The Dock. From bar staff, kitchen staff, quality live performers, and even the same security guard, Dalton, who’s been out the front for 10 years.”
In his speech to attendees, AHA ACT General Manager Chris Gatfield noted that while the industry is suffering a tough time at the moment, it’s always worth celebrating the wins.
“What inspires me is the resilience of this industry. Time and again, you adapt, you innovate, and you continue delivering not just good service, but truly memorable experiences. That’s why nights like tonight matter: to celebrate that hard work, those wins, and the people behind them.”
Jamala Wildlife Lodge was another big winner, taking home the prestigious award for Deluxe Hotel of the Year.
Director and General Manager of Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Amanda Mead, said it was “a thrill” to win the award for Deluxe Hotel of the Year.
“These awards are always really important for us, especially at the zoo where it takes so many components to put everything together, from housekeeping, zoo keepers, receptionists, food and beverage team – it’s really a team effort. So to acknowledge that we’ve performed really well in the last 12 months is really special,” she told Region.
“The accommodation is so unique, but the deluxe aspect is that the rooms are so beautiful as well. It’s a touch of Africa here in Canberra.”
Other winners include The Old Canberra Inn for Best Steak, Best New or Redeveloped Venue went to Peacemaker Saloon, and Best Draught Beer Quality was jointly awarded to Bentspoke Brewing and Capital Brewing Co., who both achieved a perfect score! Best Cocktail List went to Bar Beirut.
Individual excellence was also celebrated, with Thomas Phengrasmy from the Hyatt Hotel Canberra taking out Concierge of the Year. Chef of the Year was jointly awarded to Jodie Johnson from BentSpoke Brewing Co. and Josh Smith-Thirkell of QT Canberra.
For the full list of winners, visit the AHA.
