By Shane Williams
Independent Brands Australia’s (IBA) highest accolade has once again been awarded to a West Australian business, with Cellarbrations Willagee taking home the coveted National Retail of the Year Award at this year’s IBA conference in Santiago, Chile.
The seven-day conference wrapped up this week with a gala dinner held at the prestigious Castillo Hidalgo, where delegates were treated to a lavish dinner, with traditional song and dance.
The evening climaxed when IBA opportunities and trail success manager, Glen Harris, presented the Retailer of the Year Award to Cellarbrations Wilagee proprietor, John Ogden, along with a $10,000 cheque.
Awards were also presented to the best retail businesses in each state representing IBA’s three banner brands: Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O and IGA Liquor Plus. State winners are listed below.
It was also announced at the dinner that IBA will head to India for its next conference in 2009.
IBA aims to become the third force in liquor retailing in Australia after the two chains, with the conference geared to demonstrate IBA’s strength, communication skills and passion for the industry.
QLD
Carrello´s Imperial Hotel (Cellarbrations) owned by Andrew Ghietti
The Bottle-O Carriers Arms Hotel owned by Gary Gilbert
The overall state winner for NSW was Carrello´s Imperial Hotel
NSW
Cellarbrations Muswellbrook owned by Simon Gift
The Bottle-O Greta owned by Keith Thomas
IGA Liquor Plus Orange owned by Ian Ashcroft
The overall state winner for Queensland was Carrello´s Imperical Hotel
VIC
Cellarbrations Hampton owned by Glen and Christy Morgan
The Bottle-O Burwood owned by Leon Ngo and Leanne Dang
IGA Liquor Plus Wellington Way owned by Bill Bateson, Bette Paynting, Mark Geyer and Marian Geyer
The overall state winner for Victoria was IGA Liquor Plus Wellington Way
TAS
Cellarbrations at The Duke owned by Sam McQuestin
The Bottle-O Bridport Bay Inn owned by Rob and Shirley Monson
The overall state winner for Tasmania was Cellarbrations at The Duke
WA
Cellarbrations Willagee owned by John Ogden
The Bottle-O Glendalough owned by Doug Calderwood
The overall state winner for West Australia was Cellarbrations Willagee
SA
Cellarbrations Robe owned by Greg Sneath
The Bottle-O Castle Tavern owned by the Sturt Football Club managed by Simon Bastock
The overall state winner is Cellarbrations Robe
NT
Cellarbrations at The Casuarina Club owned by Greg Crozier
The Bottle-O Katherine Hotel owned by Tony Adams
The overall state winner for the Northern Territory was The Bottle-O Katherine Hotel