Gippsland was in the spotlight at the 2025 Australian Hotel Association Victoria Awards for Excellence, with the region’s outstanding venues and talent earning statewide recognition during a night of celebration at Melbourne’s iconic Palladium at Crown on Monday, May 19.
Gippsland venues took home an impressive array of accolades, cementing the region’s reputation for excellence in hospitality across Victoria.
Leading the charge was the Crown Hotel, Traralgon, which claimed the prestigious Ian Larkin Overall Hotel of the Year, as well as Best Pub Bar – Regional, a testament to its outstanding service, atmosphere, and innovation in customer experience.
Another standout was the Tinamba Hotel, which won Best Pub Restaurant – Regional, and celebrated the individual success of Quinn Jacobs, named Apprentice of the Year – highlighting Gippsland’s emerging talent and commitment to developing future industry leaders.
The Middle Hotel in Korumburra was recognised for its forward-thinking approach with a win for Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage Menu, reflecting growing consumer trends and setting a benchmark for inclusivity and creativity in drink offerings.
Traralgon’s Grand Junction Hotel proved itself a favourite for sports lovers, winning Best Sports Bar – Regional and Best PubTAB – Regional, delivering top-tier entertainment and wagering facilities to its patrons.
In Sale, The Star Hotel claimed top honours in a fiercely contested category, winning Parma of the Year – Regional for its much-loved take on the iconic pub classic — a triumph celebrated by both loyal locals and discerning food critics alike.
Rounding out Gippsland’s awards success, the San Remo Hotel was honoured with the Heart of the Community award, a heartfelt recognition of its outstanding community engagement and support.
Destination Gippsland chief executive officer Terry Robinson congratulated the region’s venues and teams for their outstanding achievements.
“Gippsland’s strong showing at this year’s AHA Victoria Awards is a reflection of the incredible talent, dedication, and innovation across our hospitality sector. These awards not only highlight individual excellence but also reinforce Gippsland’s growing reputation as a premier destination for quality food, drink, and authentic local experiences,” he said.
Gippsland’s outstanding results at the 2025 AHA Victoria Awards are a testament to the hard work, creativity, and passion that drive the region’s hospitality industry forward.
Winners of the Australian Hotel Association Victoria Awards for Excellence will celebrate their achievements and compete to be crowned the best in their field in Australia at the 2025 AHA National Awards for Excellence to be held at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on Monday, November 17, 2025.
PERFECT PARMA
It’s official — The Star Hotel in Sale serves the best chicken parma in regional Victoria! The beloved local pub took out Parma of the Year – Regional at the 2025 Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Victoria Awards for Excellence, held Monday night at Melbourne’s iconic Palladium at Crown.
Winning Parma of the Year award is no small feat — it’s judged on the overall quality of the dish, staff service, and the venue itself. Out of 15 exceptional finalists, The Star was honoured to be among four venues to receive a perfect 100 per cent score, which led to a second round of judging to determine the winner.
Here’s what the judges had to say:
“The chicken Parma was an outstanding dish, featuring a thick, juicy chicken breast cooked to perfection. The golden, crunchy breadcrumbs and rich, flavourful sauce enhanced the experience. The high-quality ham and cheese stayed intact when cut, perfectly complementing the Parma and pairing beautifully with the fully melted, golden cheese adorned with appealing grill marks. The dish was served hot and appropriately portioned. The accompanying sides were also of high quality and served at the right temperature. This chicken Parma is undoubtedly worth returning for.”
The Star Hotel Sale is proudly owned and operated by Jeremy and Tori Green, who officially took over the hotel lease in 2022. Their connection to The Star runs much deeper — Tori began working at the pub in 2011, and Jeremy in 2005. The couple met while working at the venue, eventually marrying and now raising two children with The Star Hotel firmly at the centre of their lives. Their passion for the pub is evident in everything they do, pouring their heart and soul into creating a welcoming, high-quality experience for the local community and every guest who walks through the door.
