Settlers Inn wins Heart of the Community at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence

Winners of the national final in 2017, Settlers Inn is known for their service to the community and popularity among Port Macquarie locals.

The best hotels of 2018 were named at the gala ceremony in Sydney, with the top honours going to Barangaroo House (City Hotel of the Year) and the Central Coast’s Bayview Hotel (the new Country Hotel of the Year).

The awards were attended by a crowd of 1200 industry and political leaders, including NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Opposition Leader Michael Daley, at The Star Event Centre, Sydney.

More than 600 nominations were received for the Awards across 40 categories.

Settlers Inn publican, Alistair Flower, said it was humbling to again win the community award.

“Especially in a competitive field of quality venues,” he said.

“In the last two years we have contributed directly or in directly over $200,000 to sports clubs, community groups and charity organisations here at Settlers."

The pub supports 15 sports groups that represent over 3000 locals, including 1500 kids.

They recently donated $4000 to the farmers for the Parma for a Farmer initiative.

AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the yearly awards event was about honouring the best.

“Hotels in NSW are second to none - the industry really has gone from strength to strength in the last decade,” he said.

“The love and care publicans and staff put into iconic hotels like Barangaroo House and The Bayview and all our other winners is obvious – it’s hotels like these which set the standard for pubs across Australia.”

Settlers Inn will now go to the national finals for best community hotel in Australia, which it won last year.