As voting for the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards (ALIAs) approaches its closing date, Georgia Monaghan, winner of the 2025 Best Liquor Retail Manager Award, has called on liquor industry professionals to recognise the individuals and teams who are making a meaningful impact on Australian liquor retailing.
Monaghan, who serves as Store Manager at Wilberforce Cellars, said that outstanding liquor retailing is about much more than products, pricing and promotions. According to her, successful liquor stores are built by passionate teams and strong leaders who work continuously to create memorable customer experiences, support their colleagues and raise retail standards across the industry.
Reflecting on her ALIA win, Monaghan described the recognition as both a proud and humbling moment. She emphasised that the award was not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the dedication, hard work and commitment shown by the entire Wilberforce Cellars team. She said great retail is always a team effort, and the recognition belongs to every staff member who contributes to the store’s success.
Voting for the 2026 ALIAs is now open, with members of Australia’s liquor industry invited to nominate the people, products and businesses they believe deserve recognition as finalists. The first round of voting will close on Friday, 7 August 2026, after which an independent panel of senior industry representatives will select the winners from the shortlisted finalists in each category.
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Monaghan said the ALIAs provide an important platform for acknowledging the dedication that often goes unnoticed behind the scenes. She noted that many professionals in the liquor industry work tirelessly to improve customer service, support their teams and drive innovation in liquor retail, and the awards help celebrate those contributions.
She also encouraged industry members to participate in the voting process, saying that every vote is an opportunity to recognise excellence, innovation, commitment and leadership within the Australian liquor retail sector. According to her, acknowledging outstanding performance helps encourage individuals and businesses to continue striving for the highest standards.
The 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards will be held on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. With categories recognising store managers, retail teams and businesses that consistently deliver exceptional customer experiences, the awards remain one of the most significant recognition platforms for Australia’s liquor retail industry.
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