HSA May 2021

Rick Lovell’s 29-Year Legacy
The name Rick Lovell is synonymous with the Australian
Hotels Association (SA). Rick, a qualified chartered
accountant, has served as Secretary/Treasurer for the
AHA|SA since 1992.
In early May, he marked the end of an era when he
presented his final report at the Association’s annual
general meeting.
Rick is a Life Member of the AHA|SA, and his
involvement in the hospitality industry dates back
to his childhood.
His father, Brian, also a chartered accountant, had an
interest in the Hawker, Maitland and Criterion Hotel on
King William Street. Rick recalls travelling to the country
as a young boy to visit the hotels.
By fifteen, he was working at the Criterion and living
there when the manager was on holiday. Rick studied
Accountancy at the Institute of Technology, and opened
his own practice in 1978. Fittingly, the practice boasted
a large hospitality client base.
In 1983, Rick and Brian purchased the Hotel Enfield.
The two focussed on catering, establishing a mobile
catering division for weddings and functions. Rick sold
his interest in the hotel in 1991 and bought the lease
of the Gepps Cross Hotel. The following year, he was
elected Secretary/Treasurer of the AHA|SA.
“I was on the council of the AHA|SA, and Jack Hoban,
the current Secretary/Treasurer at the time, was
retiring,” said Rick.
“I guess because of my chartered accounting
background and hospitality experience it was
considered I might be the appropriate person.”
He went on to win the election, kickstarting a 29-year
legacy he is only now stepping down from.
In 1993, Rick purchased the Marryatville Hotel and sold
the Gepps Cross.
“We did quite a lot of renovation work at the
Marryatville,” he said.
“We got rid of what used to be a dedicated front bar and
opened that up. We put in a children’s playground with a
dining option outside and extended the bottle shop and
put a nice walk-in area in there.”
Gaming was introduced in South Australia in 1994,
bringing with it a number of tests for the AHA|SA.
Rick reflects on the “challenges” local politician Nick
Xenophon presented for the hospitality industry when
he decided to run in the 1997 state election under an
Independent No Pokies ticket. Xenophon advocated for
the reduction and elimination of gaming machines.
“The AHA|SA did a lot to ensure our members
maintained a practical and financially feasible gaming
industry,” said Rick.
“I think the AHA|SA is probably the most effective
lobbying industry body in the state.
“We’ve had and continue to have very good people
involved in the executive and the council and very good
general managers, management, and staff… it’s just a
no-brainer being a member of the Association.
“The AHA|SA is set up to deal with the continual myriad
of licensing issues that are dealt with, to maintain the
14 | Hotel SA | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U Back to Contents