Retail Drinks Australia has announced the finalists for this year’s Retail Drinks Industry Awards.
Recognising the year-round efforts of stores, suppliers and individuals, the awards will be held at Doltone House Darling Island in Sydney on Wednesday 4 October.
The Retail Drinks Industry Awards celebrate superior customer service, product knowledge and outstanding professionalism in retailers across Australia, in conjunction with the FY23 AGM and Retail Drinks Industry Summit.
Michael Waters, Retail Drinks CEO, congratulated each of the national finalists and acknowledged their contributions to the industry.
“Retail Drinks is delighted to run this important annual awards program, which recognises the success and hard work of people and companies in our industry across a wide range of categories.
“Nominations across all categories grew by eight per cent on last year to over 440 in total, and were 54 per cent higher in the individual awards categories, Owner, Manager and Young Liquor Retailer of the Year.
“On behalf of Retail Drinks, thank you to all retail members who took the time to nominate, whether nominating your bricks and mortar or online liquor store, or in one of the individual awards categories. Congratulations to all finalists and we look forward to celebrating with you at the Awards Presentation Dinner.”
Interviews with finalists in the three applicable categories will take place before the end of August, including Liquor Store Manager, Young Liquor Retailer and Sales Representative of the Year.
Individual awards finalists are listed below, with the full list of finalists available here.
Liquor Store Manager of the Year finalists:
- Kerri Allen, Liquorland Yarraville, VIC
- James Brabender, Dan Murphy’s Balwyn, VIC
- William Clark, Cellarbrations at Wingham, NSW
- Warwick Curry, Liquorland Belmont, NSW
- Ryan Gunawardena, Dan Murphy’s Highbury, SA
- Tim Holdsworth, Bermagui Cellars, NSW
- Nabil Mekdessi, BWS Smithfield, NSW
- Jim Panovski, Bottlemart Lower Plenty, VIC
- Matt Shiner, Red Bottle Alexandria, NSW
- Matthew Solomon, Liquorland Seymour, VIC
- Jamie Sulma, First Choice Liquor Market San Remo, NSW
Young Liquor Retailer of the Year finalists:
- Emily Barrett, BWS Humpty Doo, NT
- Rory Chegwidden-Hart, Red Bottle Sussex Street, NSW
- Taylah Hocking, First Choice Liquor Market Bendigo, VIC
- Kristina Murfitt, Liquorland Huntlee, NSW
- Matthew Pallini, Harry Brown Craigieburn, VIC
- Tess Sharp, Dan Murphy;s Richmond, NSW
- Caitlin Siega, Bottlemart Lower Plenty, VIC
- Harry Stewart-Weeks, Red Bottle Hunter Street, NSW
- Arcadia Stinson, Dan Murphy’s Boronia, VIC
- Michael Swift, First Choice Liquor Market Tooronga, VIC
- Samantha Valli, BWS Scarborough, QLD
- Bradley Walters, Dan Murphy’s Brighton, VIC
Sales Representative of the Year finalists:
- Glen Calvery, Australian Vintage Limited
- Jaime Clark, Joval Wines
- Troy Fernandes, Moet Hennessy Australia
- Belinda Gallagher, Taylors Wines
- David Harrington, CUB Premium Beverages
- Alex Zelinka, Pernod Ricard Australia
- Michael Lawson, Brown-Forman
- Shane McVeigh, Taylors Wines
- John Pettorino, Oatley Wines
- Jeff Richardson, Treasury Wine Estates
- Laurence Temple, Hawkers Beer
- Liam Thomson, Capital Brewing