The Orbost Club Hotel has secured a major win for the local community, officially being named a finalist in the prestigious AHA Vic (Australian Hotels Association Victoria) Awards for Excellence.
The hotel is a contender for the Best Family Dining category, a statewide recognition that highlights the very best in Victorian hospitality.
For the owners, the announcement is a validation of the vision they had for the venue from day one.
“We are so excited. To be named a finalist for Best Family Dining is just amazing,” the owners said.
“When we first took on the pub, being a fun, relaxed venue with great vibes was at the top of our list. We wanted to create a place where you could bring your family, have a night off from the cooking, and truly enjoy yourself.”
The AHA Vic Awards are considered the gold standard for the industry, but the owners say this specific category is what matters most to them.
“We always refer to ourselves as our ‘pub family,’ so to be recognised as one of the top family-friendly pubs in the state is a proud moment for us. This one means so much because being family-friendly isn’t just something we say – it’s who we are,” they said.
“It’s in the kids playing on the lawn, the family dinners after a long week, the birthday cakes, the milestones, and the simple moments spent together around a table.”
Reflecting on their time at the helm, the owners noted that the hotel has become a scrapbook of sorts for local residents.
“Over the last few years, we’ve watched kids grow taller, families grow bigger, and friendships grow stronger within these walls. Being a place where those memories happen is something we never take for granted.”
While the final results of the AHA Vic Awards for Excellence won’t be announced until May, the Orbost Club Hotel team is already celebrating.
“We won’t know the final results for a few months, but being named a finalist already feels like a win because of the community we’re lucky enough to be part of. Thank you for letting us be your local, your meeting place, and sometimes just the place where the kids don’t want to leave. Thank you for being part of our family.”
