Members statements
Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (09:40): It was a massive night for Gippsland pubs at the Australian Hotels Association Victorian awards for excellence last week. Gippsland South did particularly well, with the Middle pub in Korumburra being named best regional pub and best regional outdoor experience. The Middle also won the highly sought after Parma of the Year award, and I am told they have sold 653 parmas in the six days since. Well done to Fish and Elyse Fisher and all their team for being a great hospitality venue but also a pub that strongly supports its local community. Sale’s Star Hotel doubled up, racking up back-to-back wins in the statewide People’s Choice Award – a stunning achievement for Jeremy and Tori Green and their team. Fiona Cox and Ben Hall from the Poowong Hotel also scored a win, named best regional pub bar – a great achievement for a small pub that is the heart of its community. The recently reopened Welshpool Hotel won an award for top supporting pub for the Good Friday Appeal fundraising, while the Woodside Beach Hotel, also not long reopened, was a finalist in the Gippsland pub of the year awards. A number of other Gippsland pubs also won awards, confirming what we all know: Gippsland is not only the best part of the state but also our best hospitality location.