AHA – Extraordinary Community Spirit and Employee Excellence in Hospitality Recognized

The Australian Hotels Association (NT Branch) premier event, the Aristocrat Technologies Awards for Excellence, were held last night on the Lawns at SKYCITY Darwin, completing the 2016 Hospitality Trade week.

With over 400 nominations received across 37 Award categories from hospitality venues located throughout the Territory, the highlights of the evening included:

  • Dual winners of the Employee Rising Star Award Ashlee Murphy (Ayers Rock Resort) and Anneliese Grazioli (Hot Tamale)
  • Milikapiti Sports and Social Club winning Outstanding Club Community Service and Achievement Award based on what they had put back into the local community, as well as for their innovative trials to address grog running and takeaway alcohol issues in their community
  • Berry Springs Tavern winning host of awards including Hotel of the Year, having the top apprentice Jenita Hunt a product of their best training initiative and had the best bar presentation
  • Voyages Ayers Rock Resort awarded for their National Indigenous Training Academy, their renovation of Emu Walk Apartments and their successful resort marketing team.
  • Halikos Hospitality venues winning Workplace Health and Safety (Frontier Hotel), best redeveloped licensed venue and UBET venue (H105 Lizards Bar and restaurant) ;
  • Barkly Homestead winning best Wayside Inn, and Curtin Springs winning best tourism initiative;
  • Alice Springs venues Gillen Club won best large Club, and Gapview Hotel won best Regional Hotel and best Live Music Venue
  • Katherine hospitality recognized with Norma Craft winning Best Housekeeping Employee (Knotts Crossing) and the Katherine Club winning best club bar presentation
  • Caddies at Palmerston Golf Club winning Best Overall Small Club, Best Marketed Club and NT Keno venue and promoting their August PGA tournament
  • Monsoons winning best marketed hotel and Adriana Andrews from Monsoons being recognized as the Best Marketing /Sales Employee
  • Employee excellence awards presented to Chef Lea-Amy Bell (The Cavenagh), Front of House Friday Kasteni (Hilton Darwin), Bartender Jamie McIvor (The Deck Bar), Gambling Community Liaison Officer Michael Rochford (Globies Sports Bar)and Human Resources manager Avril Vaughan (SKYCITY Darwin)
  • Beachfront Hotel and Free Spirit Resort acknowledged for their charity and fundraising work within the community

Des Crowe CEO of the AHANT said “The highlight of the evening was to see a contingent from a community club from Milikapiti be recognized and applauded by the 600 strong crowd for the difference that they are making to their small indigenous community.”

“It was also a time to recognize the workforce behind the hospitality industry and so the employee awards were crowd favorites.”

NT Historian Peter Forest presented the Mayse Young Hall of Fame Award to the Kilgariff family. Mr Forrest explained why it was fitting that the Kilgariff family be recognized for their contribution in pioneering in the hospitality industry. Joe and Eileen Kilgariff family commenced operating the Stuart Arms in 1927 in Alice Springs and would later, with their family, set out the foundations of NT regional tourism and townships by building and operating Barrow Creek Hotel, Tennant Creek Hotel, Aileron Hotel. Bernie and Aileen Kilgariff continued the tradition by building the Oasis Motel in Alice Springs. Michael and Kathryn Kilgariff accepted the award on behalf of the Kilgariff family.

For a full list of winners, please see here: 2016 AHA Winners List

Media Contact: Des Crowe, Chief Executive Officer, 8981 3650/ 0437 401 300