By ZAC STANDISH
ONE of Traralgon’s most well-known watering holes received statewide recognition earlier this month when the Grand Junction Hotel claimed the Australian Hotels Association (Victoria) best pub TAB award for regional Victoria.
A feature of the Franklin Street venue, the TAB section can hold well in excess of 100 people and caters the needs of every sporting fan.
Grand Junction Hotel general manager Annette Vogt said it was a thrill to be recognised with this award.
“It is an amazing feeling (to win the award) and is a testament to all the hard work we have put in to it, with all our exciting innovations making it an inviting place for local punters,” Ms Vogt said.
She said there are a number of factors that separate the Grand Junction from the average regional pub TAB.
“Firstly our friendly staff, they really make it the success that it is,” she said.
“The knowledge we have on the needs of punters as well as the numerous big screens we have set up around the place, there really is nothing else like it in the local area so whether it is sport or racing we accommodate the needs of everyone.”
Welcoming more than 1000 people per-week, TAB worker Lorene Raven described the amount of effort put into maintaining its incredibly high standard of operation.
“We like to always keep it really clean, especially since COVID, so there is always a big emphasis on making sure things are spotless to keep in line with what is a stunning hotel,” Ms Raven said.
“For us it is all about creating a friendly atmosphere, so putting the effort in to really get to know the customers, the popular sports and being bubbly and positive all the time makes it an inviting place for all people to come in and either have a punt, meal or just a good time with friends.”
Ms Vogt highlighted just how important the TAB is to the overall operations of the Grand Junction Hotel.
“It is a fantastic part of the hotel and very important to the way that we operate. Included in with our sports bar, it is without a doubt one of the most popular aspects of our establishment and we try very hard to make it as inviting as possible for punters to come in and enjoy themselves,” she said.
“The girls do such a fantastic job in maintaining its extremely high standards and that shows in the success it gives our business.”
She took the opportunity to thank a host of different people that made winning this award possible.
“Firstly Tabcorp because they sponsored the award and AHA Victoria for recognising us,” she said.
“Most importantly though it is the people, none of this could be possible without the customers who come and support us as well as the staff who put countless hours into making our TAB such a success.”
