By Annette Shailer
The annual awards dinner for the National Independent Liquor Wholesalers (NILWA) was held at the Sofitel Mansion and Spa in Werribee, Victoria last night.
Winners of the industry and sales awards included Belvedere Vodka for spirit of the year, Jack Daniels bar pack for RTD of the year and Rosemount Diamond Label for wine of the year.
James Squire took out this year’s beer while the Foster’s Group was named business partner of 2008.
Jane McRae accepted the two awards presented to the Foster’s Group. He said the honour was a great achievement for the company and for the Rosemount range.
The night included the presentation of nine award categories with two finalists and one winner announced in the presence of 78 industry representatives.
Other winners on the night included Suncoast Wholesale Liquor for shareholder of the year, Jan Allemand for administration support, Katrina Miller, who took out national salesperson encouragement award and Phil Chisler, who took home the national salesperson outstanding performance award.
NILWA is an independent administration and marketing group working in conjunction with nine independently owned wholesalers in NSW, QLD, VIC and SA.