Australia’s coffee industry talent were recognised in the first Coffee Industry Heroes awards, presented at the Official MICE After Party on Saturday 22 March.
Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) 2025 ended with a bang on 22 March, celebrating the coffee industry’s outstanding individuals in the inaugural Coffee Industry Heroes awards, supported by Venus Packaging.
Members of the coffee and café industry were asked to nominate their fellow professionals in three categories: Community Champion, Next-Gen Talent, and Lifetime Achievement. The final winners were decided by an independent panel of industry leaders and presented at the Official MICE After Party.
Coffee Industry Heroes 2025 winners:
Community Champion
Abdullah Ramay – CEO of Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters
Next-Gen Talent
Liam Pratt – Head of Coffee at Extraction Coffee Roasters
Lifetime Achievement Award
Scott Bennett – Managing Director of Bennetts Coffee
Alongside the new awards, Melbourne International Coffee Expo organisers paid tribute to Jasper Coffee Co-Founder Wells Trenfield who passed away in May 2024. His impactful work in the coffee and sustainability space was marked with the Legacy Award, which was accepted by his Jasper Coffee Co-Founder and partner Merilyn Parker.
“Wells would be deeply moved to read the testimonials people wrote in his honour for this award,” said Merilyn.
“Wells was very committed to sustainability, he had a biodynamic vegetable garden in 1974. He lived to improve the lives of people and the planet. He dedicated his energy to doing good. He was a leader not a follower.”
