QHA_Review_June_Digital
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JUNE 2024<br />
getaway<br />
ENDLESS<br />
HORIZONS<br />
IN CUNNAMULLA, EVERY NIGHT THE<br />
SKY IS CLEAR ENOUGH TO SEE THE<br />
STARS.<br />
INSIGHTS<br />
FOOD FOR<br />
THOUGHT<br />
FOCUS<br />
THE ART OF<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
A SPIRITED BUNCH<br />
CULT CLASSICS
We specialise in<br />
GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE (GMP)<br />
DESIGN & CONSTRUCT (D&C)<br />
TENDERED (TRADITIONAL)<br />
07 3142 5915 | enquiries@ashleycooper.com<br />
Unit 2/3-5 Deakin St, Brendale QLD 4500<br />
F l<br />
ashleycooper.com
EDITOR’S LETTER<br />
DOING<br />
IT ON<br />
OUR<br />
OWN<br />
OUR FIRST<br />
EVER TRIP<br />
TO THE<br />
TORRES<br />
STRAIT<br />
WAS A<br />
PROFOUND<br />
EXPERIENCE<br />
Torquay Hotel’s Darren Carter, <strong>QHA</strong>’s Bernie Hogan, Story Bridge Hotel owner and <strong>QHA</strong> President Richard<br />
Deery, Caxton Hotel’s Ross Farquhar, and Stephen Stoios of the Central Queensland Hotels Group.<br />
I am writing this column the day after<br />
the Federal Budget was handed down in<br />
Canberra and after an extended period of<br />
travel for the <strong>QHA</strong>.<br />
We have been everywhere across the state<br />
in the last month, participating in the People<br />
Pots & Profits session in Roma, supporting<br />
the Queensland Music Trails in Quilpie,<br />
attending Beef Week in Rockhampton, and<br />
emphasising the importance of Queensland’s<br />
hotels and the accommodation sector to<br />
our suppliers and politicians. These were all<br />
terrific experiences, however visiting our most<br />
northern members on our first ever trip to the<br />
Torres Strait was a profound experience.<br />
These members have never been able to<br />
adequately communicate the differences<br />
they experience on a daily basis in one of the<br />
most remote parts of the state. Don’t get me<br />
wrong, these professionally run, engaging,<br />
and reportedly quite prosperous businesses<br />
are the lifeblood of their communities. Each<br />
venue reflects their version of island life<br />
and supports the locals with hospitality,<br />
employment, and indeed, great pride.<br />
The <strong>QHA</strong> felt the deepest respect after understanding just<br />
how magnified the challenges all of us face are at the very<br />
top of the state, where venues are reliant on the weather,<br />
inconsistent supply lines, and government services. This<br />
especially hit home to me after seeing the budget last night,<br />
which included little direct assistance to an industry that is<br />
vital to the lives of so many Queenslanders.<br />
However, I balance this with my overriding desire to have an<br />
industry that is unhindered by overregulation. We are all too<br />
aware that, with every piece of assistance from governments<br />
at all levels, our industry invites further regulation that drags<br />
us away from being what we always strive to be – the centre<br />
of our community providing world-class experiences to<br />
guests and locals alike.<br />
So, I take a lesson from our northernmost members (and<br />
inspiring members everywhere) and seek to determine our<br />
own success while keeping the intervention of our businesses<br />
to a minimum.<br />
BERNIE HOGAN<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> CHIEF EXECUTIVE/EDITOR<br />
REVIEW / 3
INSIGHTS<br />
FOCUS<br />
A SPIRITED BUNCH<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
<br />
GETAWAY<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2024<br />
OUR<br />
COVER:<br />
Club Boutique<br />
Hotel, Cunnamulla<br />
Photography by<br />
Alex Spurway<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
SERVING HOSPITALITY SINCE 1885.<br />
JUNE 2024<br />
EDITION<br />
<strong>QHA</strong><br />
Level 14, 270 Adelaide Street<br />
Brisbane, Queensland 4000<br />
GPO Box 343<br />
Brisbane, Queensland 4001<br />
Phone: 07 3221 6999<br />
1800 177 594<br />
Fax: 07 3221 6649<br />
Web: www.qha.org.au<br />
Email: info@qha.org.au<br />
Office Hours<br />
8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday<br />
President<br />
Mr Richard Deery<br />
Senior Vice President<br />
Mr Matthew Coorey<br />
Vice Presidents<br />
Mr Brad Fitzgibbons<br />
Ms Mel Tait<br />
Mr Sam Ingham-Myers<br />
Secretary/Treasurer<br />
Ms Rachel Johnson<br />
Chief Executive and Editor<br />
Mr Bernie Hogan<br />
www.qha.org.au<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> REVIEW is published by the Queensland Hotels<br />
Association ABN 54 878 166 941.<br />
All information is correct at time of going to press. The<br />
publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors in<br />
articles or advertisements, or unsolicited manuscripts,<br />
photographs, or illustrations. The opinions and words<br />
of the authors do not necessarily represent those of<br />
the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part<br />
or whole is strictly prohibited without prior permission.<br />
3. EDITOR’S LETTER<br />
5. CONTRIBUTORS<br />
6. NEWS<br />
18. GETAWAY<br />
CLUB BOUTIQUE HOTEL<br />
26. INSIGHTS<br />
FOOD FOR THOUGHT<br />
34. FOCUS<br />
THE ART OF ENTERTAINMENT<br />
46. A CRAFTY BUNCH<br />
EDEN BREWHOUSE<br />
52. TOP DROP<br />
56. A SPIRITED BUNCH<br />
NOSFERATU DISTILLERY<br />
63. TRADE DIRECTORY<br />
64. PARTNERS & CORPORATE MEMBERS<br />
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING<br />
For all editorial and advertising queries:<br />
Dave Swan 0401 345 201<br />
qhareview@qha.org.au
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
DAMIAN STEELE<br />
THERESE KELLY<br />
PAUL ST JOHN-WOOD<br />
CURT SCHATZ<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> Deputy Chief Executive<br />
A hospitality industry professional<br />
with over 30 years of experience<br />
in liquor, gaming, and operations.<br />
Damian has a strong focus on<br />
compliance and legislation.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> Training Manager<br />
An experienced VET sector<br />
professional, Therese manages the<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> Training department and is<br />
responsible for the development<br />
and delivery of quality training for<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> members and other hospitality<br />
venues.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> Membership Officer<br />
Paul is the face of the Association to<br />
many <strong>QHA</strong> members as he travels<br />
the length and breadth of the state<br />
visiting, advising, and assisting<br />
publicans.<br />
Managing Partner, Mullins<br />
With over 30 years of experience<br />
in property, liquor, and gaming<br />
law, Curt is recognised as a leader<br />
in this field. He advises pub, club,<br />
nightclub, restaurant, resort, and<br />
accommodation venue owners and<br />
operators.<br />
THE HON YVETTE D’ATH<br />
VICTORIA THOMSON<br />
TANA THORPE<br />
TOM FITZGERALD<br />
Attorney-General and Minister<br />
for Justice and Minister for the<br />
Prevention of Domestic and<br />
Family Violence<br />
Yvette D’Ath is a Labor member<br />
of the Legislative Assembly of<br />
Queensland representing the seat of<br />
Redcliffe.<br />
Commissioner for Office of<br />
Liquor and Gaming Regulation<br />
Queensland<br />
Victoria is responsible for the<br />
regulatory policy and strategic<br />
direction of product safety, licensing,<br />
compliance, and enforcement<br />
activities to protect market integrity<br />
and keep Queenslanders safe.<br />
Employment Relations Advisor<br />
Tana utilises her experience at the<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> and previous advisory roles to<br />
assist businesses with all aspects of<br />
employment relations.<br />
Accommodation Membership<br />
Services Officer<br />
Tom will act as your conduit to<br />
accommodation information and<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> services, and is an experienced<br />
professional who grew up living and<br />
working in the hospitality industry as<br />
part of a hotel-owning family.<br />
ADAM FLOYD<br />
NICK BAINBRIGGE<br />
Head of MAX & TAB, Queensland<br />
With ten years of experience in<br />
Tabcorp gaming services, Adam has<br />
recently taken on both MAX & TAB<br />
for Queensland. Adam’s previous<br />
career in the hospitality industry<br />
positions him well to understand the<br />
role that wagering and gaming play<br />
in pubs.<br />
State Manager of Aristocrat,<br />
Queensland<br />
Nick has a proven history in<br />
wholesale liquor, electronic gaming,<br />
and hotel and restaurant operation.<br />
He now heads up the state team<br />
for one of Australia’s leading<br />
manufacturers of gaming machines.<br />
REVIEW / 5
IN WITH THE OLD<br />
RECENTLY, THE COMISKEY GROUP WERE EXCITED TO GIVE A FIRST LOOK INTO THE EXTENSIVE<br />
INTERNAL RENOVATION OF THE IMPERIAL HOTEL ON THE SUNSHINE COAST.<br />
In October 2023, The Imperial Hotel and<br />
its on-site accommodation, previously<br />
named HOLA, were purchased by<br />
award-winning Queensland-based<br />
entertainment, hospitality, and<br />
construction business, the Comiskey<br />
Group. The hotel and accommodation<br />
acquisition came just months after the<br />
opening of The Doonan — a popular new<br />
venue near Noosa.<br />
With plans to renovate The Imperial Hotel<br />
from the get-go, the Comiskey Group<br />
sought the creative assistance of expert<br />
third parties including KP Architects and<br />
CTRL Space to finalise its design plans,<br />
with stage one of the renovation already<br />
underway. During this initial stage, the<br />
front bar and gaming room will undergo<br />
a transformation, which will take an<br />
estimated four months from start to finish.<br />
Director of the Comiskey Group, David<br />
Comiskey, said he has enjoyed the<br />
process of working with architects to<br />
determine the direction for the design and<br />
styling of The Imperial Hotel’s new interior.<br />
“We believe it’s going to breathe vitality<br />
and vibrance into the space while<br />
honouring the hotel’s storied past,” he said.<br />
Once complete, stage two will commence<br />
with a major refurbishment of the beer<br />
garden, bar, toilets, restaurant, kitchen<br />
area, and kid’s games room.<br />
The new children’s space is planned to be<br />
one of the largest on the Sunshine Coast<br />
and have some unexpected features that<br />
are guaranteed to excite guests.<br />
The Imperial Hotel will be designed as a<br />
place that locals and visitors of all ages<br />
can enjoy.<br />
True to the group’s usual approach,<br />
providing a family-oriented environment<br />
remains a key priority in both their<br />
strategic planning and daily operations.<br />
The Imperial Hotel is a well-known fixture<br />
of the Sunshine Coast, especially being<br />
across from the iconic Eumundi Markets.<br />
The venue was established in 1911 and has<br />
become a long-standing and cherished<br />
community landmark ever since.<br />
Director of the Comiskey Group, Rob<br />
Comiskey, said their brief has remained<br />
the same from the very start.<br />
“We wanted to celebrate the history of the<br />
pub. The Imperial Hotel is over 100 years<br />
old — it has changed owners throughout<br />
the years, it burnt down in 1926, and it has<br />
been reimagined numerous times.<br />
“But one thing has remained the same —<br />
it’s been a local favourite watering hole.<br />
“As the new custodians of this incredible<br />
property, we want to keep it that way,” he<br />
said.<br />
The Comiskey Group will pay homage to<br />
the hotel’s rich history through nostalgic<br />
design elements reminiscent of an ‘old<br />
school’ pub, with plans to memorialise<br />
the venue’s colourful history with framed<br />
pictures of the past.<br />
Rob said they have historical photos of<br />
bullocks grazing outside the hotel and<br />
horses parked outside on dirt streets.<br />
“The photos are really cool, and we can’t<br />
wait to put them up for our visitors to see!<br />
/ 6<br />
REVIEW
NEWS/ THE IMPERIAL HOTEL<br />
THE COMISKEY GROUP<br />
WILL PAY HOMAGE<br />
TO THE HOTEL’S RICH<br />
HISTORY THROUGH<br />
NOSTALGIC DESIGN<br />
ELEMENTS REMINISCENT<br />
OF AN ‘OLD SCHOOL’ PUB.<br />
“It’s an iconic hotel, and there was no way we wouldn’t have<br />
recognised its unique heritage. From tartan carpets to pressed<br />
metal ceilings, we are bringing back the ‘old school’ with a twist,”<br />
he said.<br />
The hotel’s traditional Queenslander façade is well-recognised<br />
and has only varied slightly over the years. Given the venue’s<br />
timeless exterior, the Comiskey Group’s renovation only extends<br />
to the venue’s internal space, with the hotel’s entryway seeing a<br />
slight upgrade while maintaining its recognisable façade.<br />
Rob said they have hand-selected materials and textiles that<br />
really hone in on the venue’s old-school style.<br />
“Think antique mirrors and timber skirting. Even our newly<br />
painted walls will be distressed to ensure the hotel doesn’t look<br />
brand new and sparkly — we want it to have character in spades.<br />
“We have been playing around with eclectic fabrics for our booths<br />
and curtains. We are even looking at a retro custom tile designs<br />
which will decorate the floor along the perimeter of the bar.<br />
“Combining eclectic fabrics with elements such as brass finishes<br />
will give it the classy, old-school pub appearance that we are<br />
aiming for,” he said.<br />
At the back of the new property in Eumundi sits The Imperial<br />
Hotel Boutique Accommodation, formerly known as HOLA.<br />
The accommodation was recently renovated just a couple<br />
of years prior to the acquisition and will not be refurbished.<br />
Instead, the venue has already received a new heated pool and<br />
magnesium spa as part of the group’s upgrades to the site.<br />
The Comiskey Group have significantly increased their project<br />
profile on the Sunshine Coast in recent years. In partnership with<br />
Josh Jones and Neville Allen, the group built and opened The<br />
Doonan near Noosa in 2023.<br />
In 2022, the group also announced their plan to build the<br />
largest hotel and entertainment venue on the Sunshine Coast in<br />
Australia’s largest master planned community — Stockland Aura.<br />
The $45 million development is expected to be completed by<br />
early 2026.<br />
In 2021, the Comiskey Group purchased 150 hectares of land in<br />
Coochin Creek, just 35 minutes south of Maroochydore.<br />
With a history of running major events at their entertainment<br />
venues (such as Eatons Hill Hotel and Sandstone Point Hotel) the<br />
group aims to expand their entertainment offering and use the<br />
land for an outdoor event and music festival site named Coochin<br />
Fields.<br />
Needless to say, the Comiskey Group is keen to introduce<br />
additional top-tier hospitality and entertainment options to the<br />
Sunshine Coast, and it’s certainly exciting that they have a lot<br />
more in store for the future.<br />
REVIEW / 7
Specialising in<br />
refurbishments,<br />
fitouts, extensions<br />
and new builds<br />
including:<br />
NEWS<br />
GAMING ROOMS<br />
KITCHENS<br />
BARS<br />
BREWERY FITOUTS<br />
DINING ROOMS<br />
BEER GARDENS<br />
Project scopes from $200k to $4 million<br />
THE CARNIVAL IS<br />
COMING TO QUEENSLAND<br />
ARISTOCRAT’S QUEENSLAND MANAGER, NICK BAINBRIGGE,<br />
TALKS ALL THINGS NEW IN GAMING.<br />
caughleyco.com.au<br />
michael@caughleyco.com.au<br />
0434 549 242<br />
QBCC Builder Open: 15316583<br />
Get ready for hammer time as Aristocrat’s new Jackpot<br />
Carnival Deluxe game family is launching soon. It’s the classic<br />
theme that players already know and love. In fact, there’s<br />
several hundred of the originals still in Queensland.<br />
This game has been brought right up to date with an awardwinning<br />
new hammer feature, raising the roof on player<br />
entertainment. However, it’s not all about getting the feature,<br />
as players can win with instant cash on reels in the base<br />
game, adding something extra to the excitement.<br />
Jackpot Carnival Deluxe is one of our key games for<br />
Queensland pubs and hotels, but it’s just one of a wide<br />
portfolio of games that will continue to grow as we head into<br />
the second half of the year and beyond.<br />
We take pride in having the largest variety of games in the<br />
industry with a performance profile designed to be ‘stronger<br />
for longer’, delivering games that have a faster return with<br />
longer-lasting and consistent performance above the industry<br />
average.<br />
We started the year with a bang with Mighty Genie, which<br />
was a mighty performer across the state.<br />
Next, we had the Treasures family, and then came Diamond<br />
Age with its classic hold and spin feature adding a sparkle to<br />
gaming floors across Queensland.<br />
Now, roll up, roll up, as we have Jackpot Carnival Deluxe.<br />
At the upcoming Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE) in Sydney,<br />
you’ll also see at least six new game families coming to<br />
Queensland by the end of the year. So, as you can see, we’ve<br />
had a busy time at Aristocrat recently.<br />
We continue to focus on our customer partnerships<br />
and leading the industry, and we have already run and<br />
participated in many events this year so far.<br />
The team and I thank you for your continued partnership<br />
and support, and we look forward to seeing you all at an<br />
upcoming event, as well as AGE 2024.<br />
/ 8<br />
REVIEW
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POTS<br />
POTS<br />
PEOPLE, CHEERS TO ROMA!<br />
THE SECOND PEOPLE, POTS &<br />
PROFITS EVENT FOR 2024 WAS<br />
HOSTED AT THE CLUB HOTEL, ROMA.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong><br />
& PR OF I IT S<br />
Attendees received insights from CUB representatives<br />
Michael O’Donoghue and Paul Saverin.<br />
Makayla Rudd from the White Bull Tavern<br />
attempting the ‘perfect pour’.<br />
Held in conjunction with Carlton & United<br />
Breweries, guest speakers included Andrew Briese<br />
from Cooking the Books, Chris O’Sullivan from<br />
Slumbercorp, as well as presentations from the<br />
CUB and <strong>QHA</strong> teams. Topics included strategies<br />
to lower food costs in the kitchen, industry updates<br />
and trends, maintaining draught beer systems, and<br />
reducing beer waste.<br />
Attendees also participated in the CUB Perfect Pour<br />
competition with the winner receiving a keg of CUB’s<br />
finest amber fluid. In the most competitive session<br />
yet, the honour went to Kent Skene from the Hotel<br />
Victory, Cecil Plains. Congratulations Kent and a<br />
very special thank you for the hospitality provided<br />
by our hosting licensees, Barry and Brenda Waldron<br />
from the magnificent Club Hotel Roma.<br />
The next PPP will be held in Cairns in November<br />
and is a free event for <strong>QHA</strong> members to attend.<br />
Christy Coomber from The Mucka Pub pouring<br />
under the watchful eyes of the judges.<br />
/ 10<br />
REVIEW
NEWS<br />
WELCOME JAYDE!<br />
THE <strong>QHA</strong> IS DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE JAYDE<br />
LINCOLN, OUR NEW EVENTS MANAGER.<br />
SERVING<br />
HOSPITALITY<br />
SINCE 1885.<br />
With thirteen years of experience in the events<br />
industry, Jayde brings a wealth of knowledge<br />
and passion to our organisation.<br />
Originally from Australia, Jayde returned home<br />
two years ago after spending a decade in<br />
the United States, where she supported her<br />
husband, a U.S. Marine.<br />
Jayde worked in events and hospitality roles<br />
within General Motors, managing events across<br />
North and South America as well as Canada.<br />
Most recently, Jayde worked for the Gold Coast<br />
Titans, where she played a pivotal role in event<br />
operations. Outside of work, Jayde cherishes her<br />
role as a wife and mother to her five-year-old<br />
daughter, Genevieve.<br />
We are thrilled to have Jayde join our team, and<br />
she looks forward to meeting and working with<br />
all of our members and partners.<br />
<br />
REVIEW / 11
THE <strong>QHA</strong>’S NORTHERN COMPASS TOUR<br />
IN APRIL, WE HEADED WAY, WAY NORTH TO VISIT THOSE CLOSEST TO THE EQUATOR.<br />
WORDS BY DAMIAN STEELE<br />
After a two-hour flight heading north from Cairns, a delegation of<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> members and partners landed on Horn Island in the Torres<br />
Strait Islands archipelago between the Australian mainland and<br />
Papua New Guinea.<br />
Horn Island is the site of Horn Island Airport, which also serves<br />
Thursday Island and is the gateway for travellers to the mainland<br />
and outer archipelago. A major Allied airbase was constructed on<br />
the island during World War II, which was attacked several times<br />
by Japanese planes.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> member venues Dugongs Rest and the Wongai Beach Hotel<br />
provided tremendous hospitality with accommodation, food, and<br />
refreshments. We thank Tracy at the Dugongs Rest Motel, Kylie at<br />
the Wongai Beach Hotel, and both of their teams for having us.<br />
An absolute highlight of the trip was visiting our northernmost<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> hotel member, the Badu Island Hotel. Badu Island is in<br />
the Torres Strait, 60 kilometres north of Thursday Island and<br />
100 kilometres south of Papua New Guinea. The Mura Badulgal<br />
(Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation administers land on behalf of<br />
the Badulgal people, so the <strong>QHA</strong> was very grateful to be invited.<br />
The group flew into Badu from Horn Island on a nine-seater<br />
plane, which was an incredible experience with breathtaking<br />
views. The <strong>QHA</strong> was warmly welcomed on arrival and toured the<br />
crayfish factory before visiting the Badu Island Hotel. The group<br />
was treated to crayfish skewers and an amazing curry stew by<br />
super-guide Paeo Ahmat from Badu Catering and Tours.<br />
The staff really looked after us, so a special thank you to Marie<br />
Ah-Wang, chairperson of the Badu Island Foundation, and Cr<br />
Ranetta Wosomo, Badu councillor, for having us.<br />
The trip over to Thursday Island is a short ferry ride across from<br />
Horn Island and is one of those picturesque places where you can<br />
watch both the sunrise and the sunset over the water. Thursday<br />
Island acts as the commercial, transport, and administrative hub<br />
for 20 communities spread across a geographical area spanning<br />
approximately 48,000 square kilometres.<br />
Steeped in history, the island was a pearling industry centre and<br />
was evacuated to be a military base during World War II. A mustsee<br />
in the area is Green Hill Fort, which was built in the 1890s to<br />
guard against the threat of a Russian invasion before becoming<br />
/ 12<br />
REVIEW
NEWS/ <strong>QHA</strong>’S NORTHERN COMPASS TOUR<br />
THE TRIP OVER TO THURSDAY<br />
ISLAND IS A SHORT FERRY<br />
RIDE ACROSS FROM HORN<br />
ISLAND AND IS ONE OF<br />
THOSE PICTURESQUE PLACES<br />
WHERE YOU CAN WATCH<br />
BOTH THE SUNRISE AND THE<br />
SUNSET OVER THE WATER.<br />
a military headquarters during World War II. Today, the fort and<br />
its cannons remain a relic of the past on one of the island’s best<br />
vantage points.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> member venues include the Federal Hotel, Jardine Motel,<br />
Grand Hotel, Royal Hotel, and Torres Straits Hotel. The touring<br />
party really appreciated learning about the challenges of supply<br />
and the cost of freight, services, and staff, which are all part of<br />
operating in this location.<br />
However, when you are in paradise, you sometimes just need to<br />
operate on ‘island time’, which is a very flexible time zone that is<br />
best embraced!<br />
REVIEW / 13
14<br />
REVIEW
NEWS/ <strong>QHA</strong>’S NORTHERN COMPASS TOUR<br />
Following the tourwe were lucky enough to speak<br />
with the general manager of the Jardine Motel and<br />
Federal Hotel, Steve Mills.<br />
He said that the Federal Hotel on Thursday Island<br />
is one of Australia’s closest pubs to the ocean,<br />
being only 14 metres from the high tide mark.<br />
“The two-storey federation-style wooden<br />
Queenslander is more than 120 years old and was<br />
built after the previous building, the Tattersalls<br />
Hotel, burnt to the ground in 1899.<br />
“For most of the hotel’s history, the island’s<br />
workforce was engaged in the physically<br />
demanding activity of pearl diving or other labour.<br />
“With no air conditioning or electronic<br />
entertainment, hotel public bars were wellpatronised,<br />
as the Torres Strait is located in<br />
the Torrid Zone and has an incredibly humid<br />
equatorial climate,” he said.<br />
“THE TWO-STOREY FEDERATION-STYLE WOODEN<br />
QUEENSLANDER IS MORE THAN 120 YEARS OLD AND<br />
WAS BUILT AFTER THE PREVIOUS BUILDING, THE<br />
TATTERSALLS HOTEL, BURNT TO THE GROUND IN 1899.”<br />
Margaret Mills, alongside her husband, Michael,<br />
and son, Steve, bought the Federal Hotel 15 years<br />
ago as a result of already having a business on<br />
the same block and believing the two hotels<br />
would complement each other.<br />
Raised on a lamb and wheat farm on the<br />
Macquarie River in central New South Wales,<br />
Margaret went to a boarding school in Sydney,<br />
worked in a stock and station agency in Dubbo,<br />
and then, after clearing 20,000 acres of timber,<br />
spent 20 years as a grain farmer and cattle<br />
producer in central Queensland with her husband.<br />
Steve said a desire for change led Margaret into<br />
the hospitality industry, where she has now been<br />
working as a front-of-house member of the <strong>QHA</strong><br />
for more than 31 years.<br />
“All of her children and grandchildren have<br />
worked in a hotel with her for some time, which is<br />
something that may not have been possible had<br />
she stayed on the land. Margaret spent her 80th<br />
birthday working behind the bar. Well-articulated<br />
by renowned <strong>QHA</strong> personality Steve Aylward,<br />
‘What are you doing on your birthday? Oh, you<br />
thought you’d spend it working in a pub!’” he said.<br />
REVIEW / 15
Thursday Island is such a diverse town, with dozens upon<br />
dozens of government departments and agencies having<br />
a presence, in addition to 18 denominations of Christianity<br />
and a vibrant multicultural community that has stood<br />
strong for more than 100 years.<br />
Steve said there is simply nowhere in Australia quite like it.<br />
“One of Thursday Island’s greatest strengths, and certainly<br />
one of the pleasures of being in the hotel industry, is the<br />
friendly nature of the people.<br />
“Extended drinking sessions are more likely to break out<br />
into song than anything else. All-nighters can occasionally<br />
be heard still harmonising on the waterfront as the sun<br />
rises.<br />
“Due to our extremely remote location and the difficulty<br />
and expense of getting here, inbound tourism to Thursday<br />
Island is likely to always be a niche. There is no road, and<br />
transport up to Cape York is arduous and will always be for<br />
the adventurous.<br />
“The greatest difficulty running a venue on Thursday Island<br />
is logistics. The cost of freight and the semi-reliable nature<br />
of the service hamper both the standard of living on the<br />
island and the standard of business services that can be<br />
provided,” he said.<br />
Considering Thursday Island’s limited transport, short<br />
travel season, and increased construction costs, the<br />
friendly service and hard work of family-run hospitality<br />
businesses like the Federal Hotel deserve to be celebrated,<br />
supported, and encouraged.<br />
“Our business decisions are made on the spot by the<br />
family, whose entire future and capital reserve is resting on<br />
the future of the town and our relationship with the locals.<br />
“Patrons are also our neighbours and the people we live<br />
alongside and share highs and lows with, sometimes for<br />
generations.<br />
“There is nothing that’s able to replicate the fair dinkum<br />
atmosphere and special feel of a family-operated<br />
hospitality business where, to change the faces you see,<br />
you’ll have to wait a generation,” Steve said.<br />
A special thanks to not only Steve and his mum, Margaret,<br />
for our accommodation at Jardine Motel and Federal Hotel,<br />
but also to Tom Mitchell and his staff from the Grand Hotel<br />
for a fantastic dinner.<br />
For their assistance in organising this tour, we appreciate<br />
Fraser Nai and Wendy from Strait Experience, Vanessa and<br />
Liberty from Horn and Thursday Island Heritage Tours, and<br />
Frances from Malu Ventures.<br />
Needless to say, the <strong>QHA</strong> Northern Compass Tour was a<br />
once in a lifetime experience. It was an absolute pleasure<br />
to engage with our members in this beautiful part of<br />
Queensland.<br />
/ 16<br />
REVIEW
NEWS<br />
REVIEW / 17
18<br />
REVIEW
FEATURE/ CLUB BOUTIQUE HOTEL<br />
ENDLESS<br />
HORIZONS<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX SPURWAY<br />
IN CUNNAMULLA, EVERY NIGHT THE SKY IS<br />
CLEAR ENOUGH TO SEE THE STARS.<br />
Escaping into the outback is one of the most<br />
unique and enchanting things you can do in<br />
Queensland. In this edition, we were grateful<br />
to hear from Peieta Mills – a fifth-generation<br />
local who has done more for the little town<br />
of Cunnamulla than you can imagine,<br />
from championing the region’s tourism<br />
to establishing the oasis that is the Club<br />
Boutique Hotel.<br />
Peieta said from the start, the venue was<br />
made to feel like a home away from home,<br />
especially since the majority of guests<br />
entering reception have been on the road for<br />
a very long time.<br />
“I think the way we operate the hotel is quite<br />
unique. Our staff are very down-to-earth<br />
and personable, we’re in the hospitality<br />
business because we want to be, and we<br />
love Cunnamulla, so we know how to look<br />
after people and make them feel welcome.<br />
We may do things a little differently from<br />
everybody else, but we’ve always made sure<br />
that our guests’ outback experience is as<br />
comfortable and positive as it can be.<br />
“We want to create nice little spaces where<br />
visitors can sit back and unwind after<br />
exploring all day. Events, functions and<br />
accommodation drive our business, so we’re<br />
really involved with tourism in Cunnamulla.<br />
We get the majority of travelling workers,<br />
coach groups, and fly-in groups, and they’re<br />
growing all of the time,” she said.<br />
Run by local people, local knowledge, and<br />
local passion, The Club Boutique Hotel<br />
puts guests in the best position possible<br />
to experience the region’s breathtaking<br />
environment. After all, Cunnamulla is situated<br />
on the the Eromanga Basin – the biggest<br />
underground river system in the world.<br />
Peieta said, while the native flora and fauna<br />
are a huge draw to the Paroo shire, much<br />
of the tourism in outback Queensland<br />
is evolving to include natural health and<br />
wellness experiences such as luxury bathing.<br />
“There’s a state and federal funded $11 million<br />
hot spring location that just opened up<br />
here. Outback Queensland Tourism has also<br />
recently developed a bathing trail with 28<br />
locations on it, with five of those being in our<br />
area. For the last three years we have been<br />
working to understand these opportunities<br />
and build upon this health and wellness trend<br />
with experiences such as our luxury glamping<br />
tents and our beauty and massage space.<br />
“That goes for the entire region too, with<br />
unique attractions like our nature and<br />
character based tourism, the well-established<br />
artesian mud baths at Eulo farmstays, and<br />
Harmony Health and Wellness who offer<br />
a range of holistic therapies and intuitive<br />
healing techniques like reiki.<br />
“It’s a good thing that these attractions cater<br />
to a different and emerging type of customer.<br />
The region also has lots of walking trails<br />
and magnificent estuaries that are great for<br />
swimming, kayaking, camping, fishing, and<br />
yabbying, so there’s really something for<br />
everybody out here,” she said.<br />
Being 206 kilometres south of Charleville and<br />
750 kilometres west of Brisbane, the peace<br />
and camaraderie of Cunnamulla make the<br />
location a wellness experience all on its own.<br />
REVIEW / 19
As the vitality of the entire community benefits<br />
from each and every visitor, the town is a very<br />
friendly place that is welcoming and appreciative<br />
of tourism. Peieta said research after the<br />
pandemic suggests that many people have reevaluated<br />
their lifestyles, with most realising<br />
that it’s not all about the toys they have – it’s<br />
about the experiences that offer a connection to<br />
others, themselves, their families, and nature.<br />
“Whether that’s true or false, I don’t know.<br />
What I do know is that sometimes the city is<br />
an expensive and stressful place, but out here<br />
it’s the opposite. As you walk down the street,<br />
people say g’day all of the time, whether you’re a<br />
local or a tourist.<br />
“For us, it’s personal, so we make sure it’s<br />
personal for the guests and tourists too. We<br />
need them and we are happy to let them know<br />
“WE MAY DO THINGS A LITTLE<br />
DIFFERENTLY FROM EVERYBODY<br />
ELSE, BUT WE’VE ALWAYS MADE<br />
SURE THAT OUR GUESTS’ OUTBACK<br />
EXPERIENCE IS AS COMFORTABLE<br />
AND POSITIVE AS IT CAN BE.”<br />
that we appreciate their investment in our<br />
community and business. The town would<br />
not exist without tourism.<br />
“I think when people visit, they realise just<br />
how stressed out and disconnected they feel.<br />
You can’t live a happy life when you’re like<br />
that, let alone a healthy life. They also realise<br />
that not every fulfilling experience has to cost<br />
you a whole lot of money.<br />
/ 20<br />
REVIEW
FEATURE/ CLUB BOUTIQUE HOTEL<br />
“There’s no parking fees or any other charges<br />
for existing out here, and there’s just so<br />
many natural spectacles that are appealing<br />
to anyone looking for an escape. There’s 215<br />
documented species of Australian native<br />
birds here – that’s more than a third of all<br />
birds in Australia,” she said.<br />
As someone who was born and raised in<br />
Cunnamulla, Peieta knew that the region was<br />
a hidden tourism gem worth sharing with the<br />
world. Encouraged by the myriad of colourful<br />
experiences and local people in town, she<br />
founded Out the Back Australia in 2007,<br />
where she worked with up to 20 attractions<br />
and businesses in the area to create and<br />
market a range of tours.<br />
Peieta said they never strayed outside of the<br />
Paroo shire, purely because they were trying<br />
to turn around the economic decline, create<br />
jobs, and prevent people from moving away.<br />
“When we marketed it around the world<br />
through Queensland Rail, we started to get a<br />
lot of people coming through.<br />
“Eventually, Queensland Rail pulled their<br />
service to Cunnamulla, so the $500,000<br />
business that we had built over 10 years was<br />
turned into a $7,000 business overnight. We<br />
were encouraged to give accommodation a<br />
go after this because we got rave reviews on<br />
everything else we did.<br />
“We bought the Club Boutique Hotel before<br />
all of this other stuff happened with the tour<br />
company. I ended up with no business or<br />
income, a massive debt, and a venue that<br />
was a dump. That’s how we started, and we<br />
are only just turning the corner in the last 12<br />
months,” she said.<br />
Despite its dilapidated nature, the hotel<br />
was in a perfect location with a reasonable<br />
block of land, so Peieta felt confident that<br />
she could do something with it – hence the<br />
elegant, beautifully appointed venue that<br />
stands there today.<br />
Peieta said the Club Boutique Hotel is the<br />
third venue to be built on the site, with the<br />
first being wiped out by a tornado in 1887<br />
and the second unfortunately being reduced<br />
to ashes on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1933.<br />
REVIEW / 21
“Hotels always burnt down back in the day, so it was<br />
ridiculously difficult and expensive to get insurance. Unlike<br />
today, it was all candles and kerosene lamps, and you<br />
didn’t just turn on a tap and have access to water. So, mix<br />
that with alcohol and really dry weather, and everything<br />
was highly flammable.<br />
“We found out that there’s actually a whole lot of<br />
hotel history in the family. My grandmother and great<br />
grandmother were drovers and had a hotel in Hungerford<br />
on the Drovers and Pioneers Trail.<br />
“That family and my dad’s great uncle had the Club<br />
Boutique Hotel when it burnt down. People who still live<br />
in town used to work there as young children,” she said.<br />
“WE TRY TO LINK HISTORY AND HERITAGE<br />
WITH EVERYTHING WE DO, SO WE’RE ALSO<br />
PLANNING TO RELEASE A MAGAZINE SOON<br />
CALLED OUTBACK OPULENCE. IT’LL CONTAIN<br />
LOTS OF LOCAL STORIES IN ADDITION TO<br />
WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCES AND PLACES<br />
THAT ARE A LITTLE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.”<br />
Throughout the hotel’s history, many shearers, drovers,<br />
ringers, swagmans, cameleers, and coach drivers have<br />
come and gone.<br />
From the hotel’s various run-ins with these local legends,<br />
Cunnamulla Characters Brewed was born – a collection of<br />
craft beer adorned with portraits by Aussie artist Michael<br />
Nicholas inspired by centuries of laughter and good<br />
will. Peieta said, come beer and wine o’clock, they are<br />
passionate about sharing the stories of these incredible<br />
women and men with their guests.<br />
“We try to link history and heritage with everything we<br />
do, so we’re also planning to release a magazine soon<br />
called Vitality Outback. It’ll contain lots of local stories<br />
about people doing amazing things every day in addition<br />
to worthwhile experiences that are a little off the beaten track.<br />
We may have a focus on wellness, but our love for people and<br />
nature is key.<br />
“For us, it’s really about connecting the need with the person.<br />
I guess our theory is that, if you do the right thing, understand<br />
your market, share the love, and deliver, your business will<br />
grow and so will the region. If we’re not what someone<br />
wants, they can find something they prefer somewhere<br />
else in the region, and we are more than happy to give<br />
recommendations.<br />
“It’s about working together with other businesses for the<br />
betterment of the town. Those people are bound to come<br />
back anyway, whether it’s for a beer, a meal, or a ‘G’day! How<br />
are you going?’” she said.<br />
/ 22<br />
REVIEW
FEATURE/ CLUB BOUTIQUE HOTEL<br />
Needless to say, there’s not a country<br />
town in Australia that wouldn’t benefit<br />
from increased tourism.<br />
Thankfully, the outback hospitality scene<br />
is a lot livelier than it used to be, with<br />
constant improvements being made to<br />
the roads and reception of remote areas.<br />
Peieta confirmed that the industry has<br />
changed dramatically for them in the last<br />
20 years, especially since more people<br />
can afford to travel after they retire.<br />
“Technology has also had a massive<br />
impact. Before, we were totally reliant<br />
on marketing through magazines and<br />
papers, and even that was so expensive<br />
for little places like ours.<br />
“Now, with websites and social media,<br />
you can bypass all of those things by<br />
developing content and writing blogs to<br />
attract and reach new audiences.<br />
“A lot of things have made a huge<br />
difference and have been very positive<br />
for us, but I believe the biggest<br />
encouragement to tourism in outback<br />
Australia was the Big Red Bash run by<br />
Greg Donovan and his family.<br />
“They’ve attracted a different market,<br />
bringing all kinds of people and their<br />
families from across Australia to our<br />
towns. They’ve done a sensational job,”<br />
she said.<br />
Clearly, the people behind the Club<br />
Boutique Hotel are very happy with<br />
where they are, and with so many<br />
offerings and experiences, it’s no wonder<br />
why guests leave the ethereal outback<br />
feeling calmed, looked after, and fulfilled.<br />
“We just had a family up from Sydney –<br />
a mum and three kids. They left our hotel<br />
at 7:00am every morning and came back<br />
at 8:30pm every night. They just had so<br />
much fun, and that’s without getting to<br />
do half of the experiences here.<br />
“Cunnamulla is an amazing place to<br />
visit. Laying back and seeing the stars<br />
from our venue is just amazing, and then<br />
there’s the magical sand dunes and the<br />
open sky, which is a different colour blue<br />
every day.<br />
“Whether you want to camp alongside<br />
the river bank on your own, stay in a<br />
luxury hotel, or go glamping in nature,<br />
everything is here, and everyone is<br />
welcome,” Peieta said.<br />
REVIEW / 23
ATTORNEY-GENERAL/ THE HONORABLE YVETTE D’ATH MP<br />
SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENTS<br />
STAFF ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF ANY HOSPITALITY VENUE. THEY CREATE SAFE, ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCES FOR PATRONS<br />
AND ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO RECOGNISE IF PATRONS BECOME DISTRESSED OR NEED SUPPORT.<br />
Venues simply cannot operate without<br />
their skilled staff, which is why it is<br />
so important to ensure that we’re<br />
also creating and maintaining safe<br />
environments for them to work in.<br />
The month of May was dedicated to<br />
raising awareness of domestic and family<br />
violence (DFV) and sending a clear<br />
message that such violence will not be<br />
tolerated.<br />
DFV impacts many people in all sectors<br />
of the community – disproportionately<br />
women. This is why I am encouraging you<br />
to think about how DFV may impact your<br />
staff or patrons.<br />
Industry, government, and community all<br />
have a role to play in working together<br />
to eliminate DFV in Queensland.<br />
The Queensland Government has<br />
recently released the Domestic and<br />
Family Violence Training and Change<br />
Management Framework to address DFV.<br />
I encourage you to refer to this framework<br />
to help you structure your own training<br />
with your staff around what constitutes<br />
DFV. This will also help them recognise<br />
the signs and appropriately respond<br />
if they suspect that DFV is affecting<br />
colleagues or patrons.<br />
On the topic of creating safe work<br />
environments, I want to bring to your<br />
attention recently passed health and<br />
safety laws. These new laws give effect<br />
to recommendations from the <strong>Review</strong> of<br />
Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act<br />
2011 and the national 2018 <strong>Review</strong> of the<br />
Model Work Health and Safety Laws.<br />
Under the new laws, there is clarity<br />
around effective representation for staff<br />
in safety matters and the role employers<br />
have to ensure staff have access to<br />
support in the workplace. These laws are<br />
critical to ensuring staff are protected, and<br />
employers are accountable if the law is<br />
not followed.<br />
More information about the new laws and<br />
the WHS Act <strong>Review</strong> can be found at:<br />
www.oir.qld.gov.au/public-consultation/<br />
work-health-and-safety-act-2011-review.<br />
Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to<br />
discuss the importance of supporting staff<br />
who are frequently working in gaming<br />
rooms and are exposed to patrons who<br />
are gambling.<br />
Research has shown that gaming staff<br />
are significantly more likely to experience<br />
gambling harm. They are also often at<br />
the forefront of engaging with patrons<br />
experiencing harm. That’s why it’s vital<br />
to have structures and intervention<br />
processes in place so your staff have<br />
ready access to support, from the right<br />
people, when needed.<br />
Venue managers, customer liaison officers,<br />
and local gambling help service providers<br />
all play a valuable role in protecting staff<br />
and patrons from gambling harm.<br />
If you or someone you know is<br />
experiencing problems with gambling, you<br />
can visit www.gamblinghelpqld.org.au for<br />
helpful information and to connect with<br />
support services online, face-to-face, and<br />
over the phone.<br />
/ 24<br />
REVIEW
OLGR/ VICTORIA THOMSON<br />
NEW DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT<br />
IN MY LAST COLUMN, I MENTIONED THAT WE ARE UPGRADING THE OFFICE OF LIQUOR AND GAMING REGULATION’S IT SYSTEMS AS<br />
PART OF A BROADER BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM THAT WILL MODERNISE OUR OPERATIONS AND ALLOW US TO ADAPT<br />
MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE NEEDS OF OUR LICENSEES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.<br />
Our Compliance and Licensing<br />
Management System (CALMS) is a large<br />
part of this project and is combining<br />
several older technology systems into<br />
one central IT solution. We’re investing in<br />
this new system to ensure we continue to<br />
meet industry and client expectations.<br />
Beyond streamlining processes, CALMS<br />
also aims to increase automation, improve<br />
customer transparency and experience,<br />
and reduce manual workload and<br />
duplication.<br />
For licensees, this will bring an array of<br />
benefits, including the ability to track and<br />
self-manage more of your applications.<br />
Automating components of the application<br />
process in an online system will reduce<br />
the burden on applicants to complete<br />
tasks such as identity verification or the<br />
need to provide company information.<br />
To ensure the implementation meets the<br />
current and future needs of a modern<br />
regulator, we have embedded subject<br />
matter experts in the CALMS project team<br />
to work alongside the business analysts<br />
and developers.<br />
These experts have focused on defining<br />
what the current system requirements are<br />
and anticipating those of the future. We’ll<br />
also be engaging with industry to see<br />
what you need from an online portal.<br />
CALMS is being rolled out in a staged<br />
process and is expected to be fully<br />
implemented in 2025-26. However, we<br />
have already implemented some digital<br />
transformation changes, including<br />
transitioning to a paperless licensing<br />
application process.<br />
This supports quicker processing<br />
timeframes, and will ensure we are ready<br />
to move into the new digital environment<br />
when CALMS goes live. To support this<br />
approach, clients are encouraged to make<br />
their applications and communicate with<br />
OLGR easily via digital channels.<br />
We also continue to review and improve<br />
our client-facing services, building on<br />
the measures implemented in 2023<br />
to improve licence transfer times. The<br />
benefits of these changes were noticeable<br />
when a recent transfer application for a<br />
commercial hotel licence was finalised in<br />
eight days, allowing the licensee to settle<br />
the hotel purchase much quicker than<br />
expected.<br />
I look forward to updating you on the<br />
improvements that CALMS will bring<br />
to your business in addition to further<br />
progress as it continues to develop.<br />
REVIEW / 25
26<br />
REVIEW
INSIGHTS/ SIMON GEORGE & SONS<br />
FOOD FOR<br />
THOUGHT<br />
HOMEGROWN RIGHT HERE IN QUEENSLAND, SIMON GEORGE & SONS HAS<br />
BEEN CULTIVATING POSITIVE CHANGE IN SOME OF THE MOST INTEGRAL<br />
AREAS OF HOSPITALITY FOR CLOSE TO A CENTURY.<br />
And it’s a good thing too, because behind the fresh produce<br />
that stars on the plates of our venues are the local farmers,<br />
retailers, and growers who not only sustain and nourish<br />
the entire state, but also work hard to make foodservice a<br />
healthier industry for everyone.<br />
As a family business currently led by fourth-generation<br />
fruit and vegetable purveyors, Ben and Jack George,<br />
Simon George & Sons has a focus on supporting the<br />
wellbeing, philanthropy, and sustainability of Australia’s<br />
foodservice market.<br />
Most recently, the business has partnered with one of the<br />
country’s largest not-for-profit kitchen operators, FareShare,<br />
who cook free meals from rescued and donated ingredients<br />
to feed people going through hardship.<br />
Since being introduced to the charity via End Waste Australia<br />
in December last year, the Aussie fruit and vegetable<br />
wholesaler has already donated over six tonnes of produce,<br />
equating to 15,000 meals for community members in need.<br />
Simon George & Sons chief of staff, Emily Eastman, said<br />
donations can vary daily, but are generally imperfect<br />
produce in bulk quantities that their clients don’t have the<br />
capacity to take.<br />
“A couple of months ago, when all roads to the Northern<br />
Territory were flooding, we had a truck of produce that had<br />
to return to Brisbane after two days on the road. This was<br />
directed to FareShare, who made it into amazing meals for<br />
people in need.<br />
“FareShare receive and make meals to freeze that same day.<br />
Some examples include a recent donation of 200 kilograms<br />
of lemons, which were made into lemon chicken meals.<br />
REVIEW / 27
“We are working closely with FareShare<br />
to upcycle our process team surplus.<br />
This includes broccoli and cauliflower<br />
stems, potato skins, and many more<br />
sliced and diced produce lines,” she said.<br />
Simon George & Sons has been<br />
intrinsically connected to the grassroots<br />
hospitality community since 1927, when<br />
Ben and Jack’s great-grandfather<br />
started trading fresh, high-quality fruit<br />
and veggies.<br />
Emily said the family business has<br />
grown a lot from its humble beginnings,<br />
and they’re proud to now operate across<br />
five Aussie locations under the capable<br />
hands of fourth-generation leaders.<br />
“Over time, we’ve built loyal partnerships<br />
with some of Australia’s leading hotels,<br />
restaurants, retailers, and institutions,<br />
not to mention countless amazing local<br />
farmers in the foodservice industry.<br />
“We have grown through the nurturing<br />
of relationships that reciprocate<br />
communal respect. After all, you only get<br />
out what you put in,” she said.<br />
Access to fresh produce can be a<br />
challenge for venues in more remote<br />
parts of Australia, which is why Simon<br />
George & Sons are major suppliers<br />
to 50 remote communities across the<br />
Northern Territory, North Queensland,<br />
and the Torres Strait.<br />
Beyond the mere supply of fresh<br />
produce, the brand also conducts<br />
training programs outlining nutrition,<br />
safe food handling, storage, safe cutting<br />
techniques, rotation, and the display of<br />
fresh produce to help close the gap on<br />
education, employment, and nutrition.<br />
Emily said 97% of their fruit and<br />
vegetables are also grown on<br />
Australian soil, with 25% being farmerdirect<br />
produce.<br />
“This means our customers get the<br />
freshest produce while supporting<br />
local farmers. We conduct regular farm<br />
visits to offer our customers a glimpse<br />
into the origins of our amazing fruits<br />
and veggies, encompassing the entire<br />
process from cultivation to consumption.<br />
“As a family of growers, it’s also<br />
natural that we look after our<br />
people and communities, whether<br />
that’s through our free employee<br />
counselling service, volunteering, or<br />
delivering quality nutrition to those<br />
who need it most.<br />
“We provide education to the<br />
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander<br />
communities in which we operate<br />
and make sure to spotlight diverse<br />
indigenous growers through our<br />
platforms,” she said.<br />
As sustainable innovation and ecoconscious<br />
education become more<br />
prevalent in our day-to-day lives, it’s<br />
no doubt that hotels, pubs, bars, cafés,<br />
and restaurants are looking to reduce<br />
their impact on the environment.<br />
Often, this comes down to waste<br />
management, the use of renewable<br />
energy, and where venues source<br />
their produce.<br />
In addition to doing their part to make<br />
sure as many Australians as possible<br />
have access to fresh, healthy, and<br />
nutritious food, Simon George &<br />
Sons have also thrown themselves<br />
into plenty of green initiatives over<br />
the years.<br />
Emily said this includes everything<br />
from energy-efficient technology and<br />
solar power integration to emission<br />
reduction machinery, grey water<br />
recycling, rainwater collection, onsite<br />
waste recycling, and green packaging.<br />
“As a family business, looking after<br />
one another comes first, so it’s only<br />
natural for us to take care of the planet<br />
and the people on which we depend.<br />
“We live in a warmer and wilder<br />
Australia, so we acknowledge the<br />
need to adapt, innovate, and act<br />
responsibly for our communities and<br />
the land on which we call home.<br />
“It’s always been in our nature as a<br />
fruit and vegetable wholesaler to run a<br />
fresh produce business that operates<br />
with industry-leading environmental<br />
awareness top-of-mind.<br />
/ 28<br />
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INSIGHTS/ SIMON GEORGE & SONS<br />
THE PACT AIMS TO HALVE<br />
FOOD WASTE IN AUSTRALIA<br />
BY 2030 WHILE MAKING THE<br />
NATIONAL FOOD SYSTEM MORE<br />
COMPETITIVE, SUSTAINABLE,<br />
RESILIENT, AND CIRCULAR.<br />
“Especially considering the very thing we do<br />
relies on a healthy planet!” she said.<br />
Simon George & Sons are also proud<br />
participants in the Australian Food Pact – a<br />
voluntary agreement that brings together<br />
businesses to help tackle Australia’s annual<br />
$36.6 billion worth of food waste.<br />
The pact aims to halve food waste in<br />
Australia by 2030 while making the national<br />
food system more competitive, sustainable,<br />
resilient, and circular. As the first in their<br />
industry to sign the agreement, Emily said<br />
that Simon George & Sons hope to peel back<br />
the layers of food waste in the coming years.<br />
“We’ve been exploring biodegradable and<br />
home-compostable alternatives to plastic<br />
packaging as well, but quality and food<br />
safety remain barriers. Food waste is more<br />
straightforward, and we’re making sure it<br />
gets put to good use.<br />
“Embracing practical innovations and<br />
applying industry-best practices lies at the<br />
essence of our country’s signature paddock<br />
to plate experience. Rain, hail, or shine, we’re<br />
always here for our much-loved Aussie<br />
hospitality family,” she said.<br />
REVIEW / 29
LEGAL MATTERS/ CURT SCHATZ<br />
IMPORTANCE OF A WILL<br />
GIVEN THAT MANY PUBLICANS HAVE CONSIDERABLE ASSETS AS PART OF THEIR PUB PORTFOLIO, IT IS IMPORTANT TO<br />
CONSIDER WHAT YOUR SUCCESSION PLAN IS SHOULD YOU LOSE CAPACITY OR PASS AWAY.<br />
Establishing a succession strategy for key<br />
positions within a company is essential<br />
for upholding organisational standards<br />
and guaranteeing optimal performance<br />
when publicans take a step back from<br />
operating a pub. A robust succession<br />
plan can facilitate smooth transitions,<br />
minimising disruptions, especially<br />
during an unexpected departure. In this<br />
article, we will consider the importance<br />
of documenting a succession plan by<br />
creating an enduring power of attorney<br />
and will.<br />
ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY<br />
In Queensland, the enduring power of<br />
attorney (EPA) holds significant legal<br />
authority. It enables individuals to prepare<br />
for unforeseen circumstances and ensure<br />
that their personal and financial matters<br />
are handled in alignment with their<br />
preferences should they lose the capacity<br />
to make these decisions while they are<br />
alive. The key benefits of an EPA for<br />
publicans are as follows:<br />
Financial management<br />
Granting an attorney the legal mandate<br />
through an EPA empowers them to<br />
oversee and make decisions about<br />
an individual’s financial affairs and<br />
assets should they lose capacity. This<br />
is particularly important for publicans<br />
who hold businesses and substantial<br />
investments. The attorney can step into<br />
the shoes of the individual and handle<br />
the financial affairs and direction of a pub<br />
should an individual lose capacity.<br />
Ensuring personal wishes for medical<br />
decisions are met<br />
Another key advantage of an EPA is the<br />
ability to designate a reliable individual (or<br />
multiple individuals) to make vital medical<br />
decisions in the event the individual loses<br />
capacity. This encompasses decisions<br />
regarding medical treatments, surgeries,<br />
and ongoing healthcare needs, ensuring<br />
that the individual’s health requirements<br />
are addressed in accordance with<br />
their wishes.<br />
WILL<br />
It is generally recommended that<br />
publicans create, regularly review, and<br />
update their will to ensure an adequate<br />
succession plan in place for when they<br />
pass. The key benefits of creating a will<br />
are as follows:<br />
Control over asset distribution<br />
A will grants you the authority to<br />
designate who will inherit your assets<br />
upon your passing, ensuring that your<br />
belongings are distributed to your chosen<br />
beneficiaries.<br />
Choice of executor<br />
By creating a will, you have the freedom<br />
to select an executor who will execute<br />
your wishes outlined in the will. This is<br />
particularly important where you have<br />
a complex pub portfolio and require<br />
particular steps to be taken upon passing.<br />
Avoidance of disputes<br />
By clearly articulating your intentions in<br />
a will, you can mitigate potential conflicts<br />
among beneficiaries, reducing the<br />
likelihood of family disputes over<br />
your estate.<br />
Timely distribution of assets<br />
A well-defined and legally valid will can<br />
expedite the probate process, which is the<br />
court procedure for distributing the assets<br />
of the estate.<br />
Gifts and donations<br />
By creating a will, you have the<br />
opportunity to make specific gifts and<br />
donations to individuals or organisations.<br />
Should you have any queries or require<br />
any further information in relation to<br />
creating an EPA or will, please contact me<br />
on (07) 3224 0230.<br />
/ 30<br />
REVIEW
SUPERANNUATION<br />
YOU CAN HAVE A SAY IN HOW YOUR SUPER IS INVESTED<br />
SUPER FUNDS INVEST YOUR MONEY FOR YOU WITH THE AIM OF GROWING IT OVER TIME INTO A NICE, TIDY NEST EGG FOR<br />
RETIREMENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF RULES ABOUT WHEN YOU CAN ACCESS THIS MONEY, SO THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS ON THE<br />
LEVEL OF CONTROL YOU CAN HAVE OVER YOUR SUPER.<br />
But one of the things you can control is<br />
how your money is invested. This is known<br />
as investment choice in super. Most super<br />
funds have a range of investment options<br />
to choose from.<br />
It’s important to think about how your<br />
super is invested because it’s one of the<br />
largest investments you may have.<br />
The investment option you choose can<br />
help make a big difference to how your<br />
super grows. 1<br />
Hostplus aims to cover its members’<br />
investment needs over their working life<br />
and beyond.<br />
While still working and building up their<br />
super balance, Hostplus members can<br />
pick and choose from a wide range of<br />
investments.<br />
These include options for conservative<br />
investors through to high-growth options<br />
for members that are comfortable taking<br />
on more risk. The choices are just as<br />
varied in retirement when members are<br />
drawing an income from their super. Being<br />
retired doesn’t mean their super balance<br />
has to stop growing. Depending on the<br />
way the funds are invested, growth can<br />
be the goal. Similarly, if a retired member<br />
wants to take less risk in favour of having<br />
more certainty over their balance and<br />
income in retirement, they can.<br />
To explore Hostplus’ investment options<br />
visit hostplus.com.au/investments.<br />
This information is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if this information<br />
is appropriate for you in light of your circumstances before acting on it. Please read the relevant Hostplus Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), available at hostplus.<br />
com.au before making a decision about Hostplus. For a description of the target market, please read the Target Market Determination (TMD), available at hostplus.<br />
com.au.<br />
Issued by Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704, AFSL 244392 as trustee for the Hostplus Superannuation Fund (the Fund) ABN 68 657 495 890, MySuper No<br />
68 657 495 890 198.<br />
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and should never be the sole factor considered when selecting a superannuation fund. Awards<br />
and ratings are only one factor to consider when selecting a superannuation fund. Host-Plus Pty Limited pays licence fees to use these awards. Ratings are general<br />
advice only and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product<br />
disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The ratings are not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product.<br />
1<br />
https://moneysmart.gov.au/grow-your-super/super-investment-options accessed 09/04/2024.<br />
/ 32<br />
REVIEW
TOP PERFORMER<br />
TOP PERFORMER<br />
TOP PERFORMER<br />
TOP PERFORMER<br />
TOP PERFORMER<br />
TOP PERFORMER<br />
TOP PERFORMER<br />
With super, long-term performance matters. Hostplus’ Balanced (MySuper)<br />
option delivers top performance over 20 years.<br />
Compare Hostplus<br />
SuperRatings Accumulation Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index, March 2024. General advice only. Before deciding, consider the relevant Hostplus<br />
PDS and TMD at hostplus.com.au and your objectives, financial situation and needs, which have not been accounted for. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of<br />
future performance. Issued by Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704, AFSL 244392 as trustee for the Hostplus Superannuation Fund ABN 68 657 495 890. HP2812
THE ART OF<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
/ 34<br />
REVIEW
FOCUS/ COMISKEY GROUP<br />
TO OBSERVE THE RAPID EVOLUTION OF QUEENSLAND’S LIVE MUSIC SCENE,<br />
YOU NEED ONLY LOOK TOWARDS THE COMISKEY GROUP’S GLISTENING<br />
PORTFOLIO OF ENTERTAINMENT VENUES.<br />
There aren’t many event organisers that run<br />
their own construction company. This point<br />
of difference has given Comiskey Group<br />
the freedom to create some of the most<br />
electrifying venues imaginable, from Eatons<br />
Hill Hotel and Sandstone Point Hotel to the<br />
highly anticipated Coochin Fields festival site.<br />
The more we discover about these spaces,<br />
the more we realise just how complex the<br />
integration of live entertainment really is for<br />
Queensland venues. And so, our curiosity led<br />
us to seek out how it’s done from the man<br />
himself.<br />
Co-founder and director of the Comiskey<br />
Group, Rob Comiskey, said well before<br />
breaking ground on a new development, they<br />
consider the overall live music experience,<br />
whether that be a custom stage or a<br />
dedicated VIP area for prime viewing.<br />
“By integrating our construction expertise<br />
with our entertainment vision, we can create<br />
spaces that enhance performances and<br />
elevate patron experiences. Our venues are<br />
structurally designed for hosting live music,<br />
and we follow this through with strategic<br />
planning to ensure concerts at our venues<br />
are both convenient and enjoyable.<br />
“We are also just willing to give things a go. It<br />
was a very uncertain time when the majority<br />
of the industry shut down during Covid-19,<br />
but we persevered. If we were allowed to host<br />
events, we did. We sold the greatest number<br />
of tickets across Australia during that time,<br />
and this is purely because we were willing to<br />
take on the challenge,” he said.<br />
Music has always played a pivotal role in<br />
the success of pubs and hotels. Beyond<br />
enhancing the overall hospitality experience,<br />
uniting people, and fostering a sense<br />
of community, it also holds a special<br />
significance for local artists. In fact, many<br />
well-known musicians, even those who have<br />
achieved mainstream success, once honed<br />
their skills by performing at local venues.<br />
Rob said these grassroots performances<br />
have always served as crucial stepping<br />
stones for artists, allowing them to refine their<br />
craft, receive community support, and gain<br />
valuable feedback from live audiences.<br />
“By supporting local artists, we contribute to<br />
their livelihoods, enabling talented musicians<br />
to thrive through their artistry. Then there’s<br />
the bigger names in music. For me, having<br />
Ice Cube play a sold-out gig at Eatons Hill<br />
Hotel followed by a sold-out Cyprus Hill show<br />
the next night was pretty epic!<br />
“We have had so many iconic artists across<br />
our venues. Names like Prince, Post Malone,<br />
and Marilyn Manson have graced our stages.<br />
We also came out with a bang for the first<br />
ever concert at Sandstone Point Hotel,<br />
hosting music royalty The Beach Boys. We’ve<br />
had every genre imaginable, from country<br />
legends like Billy Ray Cyrus to pop sensations<br />
like Kesha and rap superstar ASAP Rocky,”<br />
he said.<br />
REVIEW / 35
It sounds like a lavish and promising addition to any venue,<br />
but designing a space that can accommodate performers and<br />
audiences while ensuring safety, functionality, and legislative<br />
compliance also involves an insane amount of planning.<br />
When it comes to hosting large-scale events, Rob said venues<br />
must consider any noise restrictions specified within their<br />
concert approval, abide by liquor licencing permits, ensure a<br />
safe means of access and egress, maintain adequate event<br />
security numbers, and follow venue capacity limitations.<br />
“Venues must also have clear and accessible emergency exits,<br />
properly marked exit signs, and well-designed escape routes.<br />
“When it comes to sound, we optimise acoustics for the<br />
environment, considering sound-absorbing materials,<br />
diffusers, and proper speaker placement. Soundproofing is a<br />
big consideration, especially when preventing sound leakage<br />
into neighbouring spaces. We use thick walls, double-glazed<br />
windows, and acoustic insulation.<br />
“Designing the appropriate stage size to fit all types of events<br />
and band setups also means you are less limited as to<br />
what you can and can’t do on stage – an appropriate size is<br />
important to be able to have a wider entertainment offering.<br />
“Along with the stage design, we must consider dressing<br />
rooms, green rooms, and storage for equipment. The careful<br />
consideration of where to place bars, food service areas,<br />
and VIP sections is all part of a thoughtfully designed<br />
entertainment venue destined for success,” he said.<br />
I think we all know that live music isn’t an easy-going industry<br />
by any means, particularly within the last few years, with the<br />
pandemic bringing about major restrictions impacting artists,<br />
/ 36<br />
REVIEW
FOCUS/ COMISKEY GROUP<br />
venues, and promoters. The cost-of-living crisis has also<br />
been significantly affecting ticket sales, with the expenses<br />
associated with organising events more than doubling.<br />
Rob said those in the entertainment business are no stranger<br />
to challenges, and have grappled with plenty of show<br />
cancellations due to weather events, artist flight delays, and<br />
unexpected artist visa denials.<br />
“It’s been a rollercoaster, but we love what we do and<br />
wouldn’t change a thing. We surround ourselves with a team<br />
that is flexible and remains calm under pressure. Together, we<br />
can roll with the punches and face any challenge with a cando<br />
attitude,” he said.<br />
“BY INTEGRATING OUR<br />
CONSTRUCTION EXPERTISE WITH<br />
OUR ENTERTAINMENT VISION, WE<br />
CAN CREATE SPACES THAT ENHANCE<br />
PERFORMANCES AND ELEVATE<br />
PATRON EXPERIENCES.”<br />
REVIEW / 37
“WHEN IT COMES TO SOUND, WE<br />
OPTIMISE ACOUSTICS FOR THE<br />
ENVIRONMENT, CONSIDERING<br />
SOUND-ABSORBING MATERIALS,<br />
DIFFUSERS, AND PROPER<br />
SPEAKER PLACEMENT.”<br />
/ 38<br />
REVIEW
FOCUS/ COMISKEY GROUP<br />
Several interesting new technologies have also emerged<br />
in the world of music and events, with one notable trend<br />
being the use of advanced audio systems that incorporate<br />
immersive sound technologies, such as spatial audio and<br />
object-based audio processing.<br />
Rob said these technologies enhance the overall listening<br />
experience for audiences, making live performances more<br />
engaging and memorable.<br />
“Additionally, there have been advancements in noisecancelling<br />
techniques that benefit both performers and<br />
audiences. For example, some venues are implementing<br />
acoustic treatments and soundproofing materials to<br />
minimise external noise interference and create a more<br />
controlled acoustic environment.<br />
“There are even innovative noise-cancelling systems<br />
designed specifically for live events that can selectively<br />
reduce unwanted sounds while preserving the clarity and<br />
impact of the music. These advancements in technology<br />
contribute to creating a better audio experience for patrons<br />
and performers alike, enhancing the overall appeal and<br />
success of live music venues in Queensland and beyond,”<br />
he said.<br />
Bringing in local musicians on a weekend really is a nobrainer<br />
for many Queensland venues, especially when<br />
you consider how live music enhances the atmosphere<br />
of any room, supports the local community, and keeps<br />
patrons wanting to stay longer. Large-scale music events,<br />
however, take significant consideration.<br />
Rob said that, while pulling off a large event is rewarding,<br />
it can be extremely challenging and risky, with many<br />
venues going broke in the process.<br />
“My advice would be to take calculated risks, assess all<br />
factors, listen to your audience, and maintain a level of<br />
comfort. Hosting large-scale events can be costly, so it’s<br />
important to consider even the worst-case scenario to<br />
mitigate your risks.<br />
“In saying that, when an event goes right, there’s almost<br />
nothing more rewarding. Watching patrons enjoy the<br />
experiences we create or sing along to the artists we<br />
worked hard to secure is truly special,” he said.<br />
REVIEW / 39
TRAINING & SAFETY RTO 30826/ THERESE KELLY<br />
BEHAVIOURAL AWARENESS<br />
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE EARLY INDICATORS<br />
OF SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR IN YOUR VENUE?<br />
The <strong>QHA</strong> has partnered with BTAQ<br />
Consulting to provide the training needed<br />
to give your staff the skills and knowledge<br />
to be able to understand these indicators.<br />
Behaviour detection awareness training<br />
equips staff with the knowledge and<br />
understanding necessary to identify<br />
early indicators of suspicious behaviour,<br />
thereby serving as a potent tool in threat<br />
prevention.<br />
It aims to educate in public settings on<br />
how to identify and report suspicious<br />
behaviour associated with potential<br />
security threats. This proactive approach<br />
emphasises preparedness and prevention<br />
as the primary focus, with the ability to<br />
escalate to appropriate responses when<br />
needed.<br />
On 23 November 2023, BTAQ Consulting<br />
ran a five-hour behavioural detection<br />
course in Brisbane for <strong>QHA</strong> members,<br />
which delivered enhanced security<br />
and situational awareness to attendees<br />
through a unique blend of interactive<br />
videos and testing. This course was a first<br />
for the <strong>QHA</strong>, and looking at the feedback<br />
and comments after the course, there are<br />
certainly more planned:<br />
“Very engaging and easy to understand.”<br />
“Thank you. I’ve learnt a lot.”<br />
“I found the course very relevant.”<br />
“The course was well structured, and I<br />
gained great knowledge from it.”<br />
BTAQ Consulting was founded by John<br />
Matus – a highly experienced former<br />
federal agent who trained and operated<br />
internationally in the field of behavioural<br />
detection. John’s drive for the continuous<br />
improvement of these skills led him to<br />
form BTAQ Consulting, which develops<br />
specialised behavioural detection<br />
and questioning courses that have<br />
successfully been used by a wide range of<br />
clients internationally.<br />
BTAQ Consulting specialises in providing<br />
an improved understanding of how to<br />
influence the people you deal with and<br />
how to identify hostile intent through<br />
early behavioural indicators. Through this<br />
training, BTAQ Consulting has delivered<br />
a significantly safer and more secure<br />
environment to clients.<br />
BTAQ Consulting has provided courses<br />
to over 50 clients across a wide range<br />
of industries, including the Sydney<br />
Opera House, ASM Global venues in<br />
Australia and New Zealand, P&O Cruises<br />
in Australia, Okada Casino in Manila,<br />
Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, ACT<br />
Corrective Services, Queensland Rail,<br />
Metro Trains in Victoria, Yarra Trams, AFL,<br />
Crown Casino, Star Casino, and TAFE<br />
South Bank.<br />
BTAQ offers a diverse range of behavioural<br />
programs and assessments, including:<br />
• security and situational awareness<br />
• behavioural detection<br />
• behavioural questioning<br />
• conflict resolution<br />
• influential communication (leadership)<br />
• active armed offender workshops<br />
• CCTV assessments<br />
The <strong>QHA</strong> has John delivering two of his<br />
awareness courses on 3 July. The twohour<br />
safety and situational awareness<br />
course is specifically developed as a<br />
means for organisations to provide staff<br />
with techniques to enhance safety and<br />
situational awareness using behavioural<br />
techniques.<br />
John’s five-hour course on behavioural<br />
detection techniques also provides staff<br />
with the knowledge to understand why<br />
suspicious behaviour occurs and to<br />
confidently identify and report suspicious<br />
activity.<br />
All courses are highly interactive and have<br />
received 100% positive feedback. For<br />
more information on these, please contact<br />
the <strong>QHA</strong> at 3221 6999 or via email at<br />
training@qha.org.au.<br />
More information on all of BTAQ<br />
Consulting’s courses can be found at<br />
www.btaq.com.au.<br />
/ 40<br />
REVIEW
When you play<br />
together it always<br />
feels like a win!<br />
Gamble Responsibly. Think! About your choices. Help is close at hand.<br />
Call Gambler’s Help, ACT Gambling Counselling and Support Service or<br />
GambleAware 1800 858 858 gambleaware.nsw.gov.au or<br />
www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
SALARY OPTIONS UNDER THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY<br />
(GENERAL) AWARD 2020<br />
THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (GENERAL) AWARD 2020 (‘HIGA’) PROVIDES THE LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS FOR THE MAJORITY OF<br />
EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED AT PUBS AND ACCOMMODATION HOTELS. THE PROVISIONS OF THE HIGA ARE LEGALLY BINDING ON<br />
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO FALL UNDER ITS COVERAGE.<br />
Under the HIGA, there are a number of<br />
options on how employees can be paid,<br />
including an hourly rate, salary, or loaded<br />
rate. A salary can be a popular option for<br />
employees – however, did you know that<br />
the HIGA has set rules about how a salary<br />
needs to be paid to an employee?<br />
There are two salary options available<br />
under the HIGA, as detailed below. The<br />
option that is applicable depends on the<br />
classification level of the employee:<br />
• an annualised wage is provided by<br />
clause 24 of the HIGA<br />
• a loaded managerial salary is provided<br />
by clause 25 of the HIGA<br />
The annualised wage arrangement<br />
provided in clause 24 can be complex,<br />
with an additional administrative burden<br />
employers must be aware of to ensure<br />
they are compliant with reconciliation<br />
obligations. This article will summarise<br />
the key provisions applicable to the<br />
annualised wage arrangement to assist<br />
members who make use of these<br />
arrangements.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> members seeking advice about the<br />
loaded managerial salary provided in<br />
clause 25 of the HIGA should contact the<br />
<strong>QHA</strong>’s Employment Relations Department<br />
for further advice.<br />
ANNUALISED WAGE – CLAUSE 24<br />
To be paid an annualised wage, the<br />
employee must:<br />
• be employed on a full-time basis<br />
• be paid an amount that includes at least<br />
a 25% loading on top of the minimum<br />
salary amount for the classification level<br />
• not be classified at the level of<br />
managerial staff (hotels) under the<br />
HIGA<br />
Note: If you are unsure of whether your<br />
employee is classified at the managerial<br />
staff (hotels) level, please contact the<br />
<strong>QHA</strong>’s Employment Relations Department<br />
for advice.<br />
The key requirements employers must<br />
comply with when paying an annualised<br />
wage, per clause 24 of the HIGA, are<br />
as follows:<br />
1. Agreement on which entitlements<br />
the annualised wage compensates<br />
for.<br />
The employer and a full-time employee<br />
must agree on which HIGA entitlements<br />
the annualised wage will compensate for.<br />
By agreement, the annualised wage may<br />
cover the entitlements provided by the<br />
HIGA clauses:<br />
• Clause 18 - minimum rates<br />
• Clause 26 - allowances<br />
• Clause 28 - overtime<br />
• Clause 29 - penalty rates<br />
• Clause 30.3 - payment for annual<br />
leave loading<br />
• clause 35.3(a) - additional public<br />
holiday arrangements for full-time<br />
employees<br />
For example, the employer and employee<br />
could agree that the employee’s<br />
annualised wage only compensates<br />
them for their ordinary hours, overtime,<br />
and penalty rates. If this were the case,<br />
the employer would still need to pay the<br />
employee their other HIGA entitlements,<br />
such as allowances and annual leave<br />
loading, when they arise, as these<br />
entitlements are not compensated by the<br />
salary.<br />
The employment contract must<br />
clearly set out which entitlements the<br />
salary compensates for. The <strong>QHA</strong> has<br />
employment contract templates available<br />
for purchase specifically tailored for this<br />
salary arrangement.<br />
/ 42<br />
REVIEW
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS/ TANA THORPE<br />
2. Reconciliation requirements<br />
Under this salary arrangement, the<br />
employer must complete a reconciliation<br />
each 12 months, or earlier if employment<br />
terminates, to check that the employee<br />
has not been paid less on their annualised<br />
wage than if they were receiving an hourly<br />
rate (and received overtime, penalties,<br />
allowances, and other HIGA entitlements<br />
when they occurred).<br />
The employer must calculate the amount<br />
of remuneration that would have been<br />
payable to the employee under the<br />
provisions of the HIGA over the relevant<br />
period and compare it to the amount of<br />
the annualised wage actually paid to the<br />
employee. If the reconciliation shows that<br />
the employee has been paid less on their<br />
annualised wage, the employer needs<br />
to pay the difference within 14 days of<br />
completing the reconciliation.<br />
3. Outer limit requirements<br />
From 1 September 2022, the Fair Work<br />
Commission introduced outer limit<br />
requirements into the annualised wage<br />
provisions. In essence, the outer limits<br />
place parameters on the number of<br />
overtime hours and penalty rate hours<br />
an employee’s annualised wage can<br />
compensate them for in a given roster<br />
cycle. If the employee works over either<br />
the overtime or the penalty rate outer limit,<br />
they must receive additional payments on<br />
top of their annualised wage in the pay<br />
cycle for those hours worked.<br />
Outer limits can be a complex topic to<br />
understand. The <strong>QHA</strong>’s Employment<br />
Relations team has resources available to<br />
assist.<br />
4. Timekeeping requirements<br />
Under this salary arrangement, the<br />
employer must keep records of the<br />
starting and finishing times of work and<br />
any unpaid breaks taken. This record<br />
must be signed by the employee or<br />
acknowledged as correct in writing<br />
for each pay period or roster cycle.<br />
This information is required for the<br />
reconciliation requirements mentioned<br />
above, and it is an important obligation<br />
that the Fair Work Ombudsman monitors<br />
compliance with when they are contacted<br />
by an employee.<br />
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES<br />
It is important that employers who are<br />
paying award-covered employees a salary<br />
are compliant with the salary rules that<br />
apply. The annualised wage provisions are<br />
complex, and this article only provides a<br />
high-level summary of some of the rules<br />
that apply. If you are paying an employee<br />
an annualised wage, we recommend:<br />
• ensuring you are compliant and<br />
understand the full requirements<br />
of clause 24 (the <strong>QHA</strong> has a guide<br />
available that provides an in-depth<br />
overview of the arrangement)<br />
• providing employees a compliant<br />
employment contract for the salary<br />
arrangement<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> members seeking further<br />
assistance or wishing to discuss a<br />
specific employment relations matter are<br />
encouraged to contact the Employment<br />
Relations team for a confidential<br />
discussion by calling 07 3221 6999 or<br />
emailing er@qha.org.au.<br />
HIGA TRAINING<br />
The <strong>QHA</strong>’s Employment Relations Team<br />
has comprehensive training on the HIGA<br />
available for purchase. This training<br />
covers the salary arrangement rules<br />
and other key topics such as hours of<br />
work, rostering, classifications, and junior<br />
employment. If you are interested in<br />
purchasing the training, please contact<br />
er@qha.org.au.<br />
REVIEW / 43
SMART HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION AUTOMATION<br />
AUTOMATION AND ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY ARE REVOLUTIONISING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, ALLOWING HOTELS TO<br />
SAVE TIME AND RESOURCES WHILE DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL GUEST EXPERIENCES.<br />
Smart hotels<br />
Hoteliers are increasingly implementing<br />
‘smart hotel’ concepts such as contactless<br />
check-in, automated control of lighting<br />
and temperature, and innovative sensors<br />
in rooms that help staff respond promptly<br />
to breakdowns and manage the cleaning<br />
process. This also includes electronic<br />
access to hotel services and modern<br />
security systems.<br />
The idea of ‘smart hotels’ is growing<br />
fast. The use of automation in hotels<br />
encompasses a range of technologies<br />
designed to reduce manual tasks and<br />
improve service delivery. They are<br />
convenient, well-designed, and help<br />
hotels optimise resources.<br />
In the face of ongoing labour shortages in<br />
the hotel industry, teams are being pushed<br />
to accomplish more with fewer resources.<br />
To tackle this challenge head-on, many<br />
hotel teams are turning to automation as<br />
a solution.<br />
A significant advancement has been<br />
the introduction of self-service checkins.<br />
These innovative solutions – which<br />
include kiosks, keyless check-in systems,<br />
pre-arrival online check-ins, and key<br />
safes – have revolutionised the traditional<br />
check-in process.<br />
Highlighting the benefits of self-service,<br />
CEO of Assa Abloy Global Solutions<br />
Australia, Michael Benikos, said the main<br />
advantages of self-service technologies<br />
for hotels are increased guest satisfaction,<br />
the increased speed of check-ins and<br />
check-outs, and significant labour savings.<br />
“Many hotels are using such technologies<br />
to supplement their labour force, but they<br />
also allow for enhanced service by moving<br />
staff into the lobby as ambassadors,<br />
helping guests with their bags, suggesting<br />
options for their stay, and reducing<br />
queuing at check-in and check-out times<br />
when the hotel is busy,” he said.<br />
Technology trends shaping the industry at<br />
the moment include:<br />
Hotel robots<br />
They can perform tasks such as delivering<br />
room service, assisting guests with checkin<br />
and check-out, providing information<br />
and recommendations, performing<br />
housekeeping duties, and even mixing<br />
and serving drinks.<br />
Chatbots<br />
Chatbots have become standard on<br />
many hotel websites and use artificial<br />
intelligence and natural language<br />
processing to communicate with guests<br />
and provide information and assistance.<br />
Many are available 24/7 and are an<br />
accessible way for guests to interact<br />
with hotels.<br />
Hotel virtual reality tours<br />
Virtual reality tours allow potential guests<br />
to explore a hotel and its facilities in a<br />
virtual environment before making a<br />
reservation.<br />
Other examples include contactless<br />
payments, mobile check-in, smart hotels,<br />
service automation, facial recognition<br />
technology, and artificial intelligence.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> member spotlight<br />
A Queensland example with a<br />
strong focus on technology is <strong>QHA</strong><br />
accommodation member Rambla. They’ve<br />
developed an offering with a contactless<br />
digital check-in system for swift entry and<br />
departure at all hours.<br />
Rambla’s group manager for<br />
accommodation, Andrew Hewitt, outlined<br />
that today’s guests value a hassle-free<br />
check-in experience. Once the payment<br />
has gone through, guests are given<br />
access to a key card on their phone.<br />
When their room is ready, the key card<br />
is activated and guests are able to drive<br />
straight into the carpark, enter the lift, and<br />
access their room without having to go<br />
through the traditional check-in process.<br />
Rambla opened the doors to its first<br />
property in March 2023 in Brisbane’s<br />
Bowen Hills as a reception-less property<br />
with an automated digital guest journey<br />
and digital key technology. Currently, they<br />
have 93 rooms across three properties –<br />
two in Brisbane and one in Melbourne. All<br />
of these venues are reception-less and run<br />
by a ‘digital front desk’ staffed by a modest<br />
work-from-home team.<br />
Rambla uses a combination of a digital<br />
front office, a work-from-home team,<br />
and outsourced services, which enables<br />
them to have minimal staff requirements<br />
without minimising their guest satisfaction<br />
levels. This model is proving to work great<br />
for their growing multiple properties and<br />
operations, as it allows them to essentially<br />
operate as one.<br />
/ 44<br />
REVIEW
ACCOMMODATION/ TOM FITZGERALD<br />
<br />
One interesting key statistic is that 80% of<br />
the venue’s guests have a fully automated<br />
accommodation experience, either communicating<br />
with staff via text or without speaking to a staff<br />
member at all.<br />
Moving forward, the group plans to continue<br />
pushing forward with their digital journey, using<br />
tech to eliminate time-consuming tasks one task<br />
at a time while enhancing the guest experience,<br />
driving revenue, and not being afraid to jump ship.<br />
Today, the hotel industry is at an interesting point<br />
where technological automation and the human<br />
touch intersect. Facing the fears of automation<br />
requires understanding its true purpose and its<br />
potential in the hotel industry.<br />
By focusing on the complementary relationship<br />
between technology and human services, hoteliers<br />
can harness automation to enhance operational<br />
efficiency, improve guest experiences, and drive<br />
revenue growth. As the industry continues to<br />
evolve, embracing automation is strategically<br />
crucial for staying competitive and meeting the<br />
changing needs of guests.<br />
References<br />
www.accomnews.com.au/2023/07/happy-guests-theconvenience-of-seamless-check-ins/<br />
www.hotelmanagement.com.au/2023/02/10/exclusivepellicano-taps-into-short-stay-market-with-launch-of-rambla/<br />
lesroches.edu/blog/what-is-automation-in-hospitalityindustry/<br />
www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4120531.html<br />
CALENDAR<br />
JULY 2024.<br />
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REVIEW / 45
HANDCRAFTSMANSHIP<br />
EDEN BREWHOUSE IS A LOVE STORY BETWEEN BEER, RUSTIC<br />
SMOKEHOUSE CUISINE, AND HEARTY FARE.<br />
But most importantly, it is also one of the<br />
venues proudly championing Australia’s<br />
craft beer industry at a time when it needs<br />
it the most.<br />
With so many independent breweries<br />
falling on hard times due to surging freight<br />
and ingredient costs, skill shortages, and<br />
an alcohol excise tax that does not seem<br />
to be letting up anytime soon, pubs like<br />
Eden Brewhouse are vital when it comes to<br />
introducing more Queenslanders to the world<br />
of craft beer and keeping the industry alive<br />
and well.<br />
Manager at the venue, Alex Protani, said<br />
their incredibly extensive collection of craft<br />
beer is also accompanied by a great wine<br />
selection and a full range of spirits, many<br />
of which are sourced from independent<br />
wineries and distillers.<br />
“We have a seasonal menu that features pub<br />
classics and a large outdoor smoker that<br />
adds to the Eden Brewhouse experience.<br />
“Our signature smoked meat specials are<br />
best enjoyed with a brew or two. Everything<br />
we do, we do to support and complement the<br />
craft beer industry,” he said.<br />
Conveniently located in the heart of the<br />
Redbank Plains, the venue boasts more than<br />
56 taps with a great selection of craft brews,<br />
including those from their partners at Esker<br />
Beer Co.<br />
Previously known as the Australian<br />
Brewery, the brand is one of Sydney’s most<br />
longstanding craft breweries and was the first<br />
to use cans instead of bottles back in the day.<br />
Alex said offering versatile spaces for group<br />
bookings, events, and special occasions<br />
is one of the best ways to introduce<br />
independent beer brands to a lot of people<br />
who may have never been exposed to<br />
Australia’s colourful craft beer varieties.<br />
“Our function rooms are equipped with stateof-the-art<br />
technology and ideal for corporate<br />
gatherings, while our terrace boasts lush<br />
greenery and charming fairy lights, creating a<br />
delightful atmosphere for drinks, celebrations,<br />
and parties.<br />
“As a traditional pub, we also pride ourselves<br />
on serving our community with a variety of<br />
entertainment options. From trivia nights and<br />
live music to other engaging activities, there<br />
is always something happening here.<br />
“Our weekly menu specials are a highlight,<br />
and for sports enthusiasts, there is no better<br />
spot to catch live games,” he said.<br />
/ 46<br />
REVIEW
A CRAFTY BUNCH<br />
REVIEW /47
Eden Brewhouse opened in <strong>June</strong> 2020 as<br />
a cheerful tribute to the characters who<br />
moulded the Aussie spirit and our country’s<br />
passion for pubs. The venue shares its name<br />
with the first farm in the region, Eden<br />
Station, which was pioneered by British<br />
convict and the father of Redbank Plains,<br />
James Josey.<br />
In 1840, James was convicted for robbing a<br />
wagon and sentenced to 15 years of penal<br />
servitude. He travelled on a convict ship<br />
named Eden and was sent to Moreton Bay in<br />
April 1841.<br />
After serving out his sentence in Limestone<br />
(now known as Ipswich), James was<br />
involved in building houses before he<br />
purchased the land which would become<br />
known as Eden Station.<br />
Alex said the story of this pioneer is reflected<br />
in the scratchboard illustrations ingrained in<br />
their brand identity and scattered throughout<br />
their venue.<br />
“The traditional design of the venue is a nod<br />
to the public houses of British origin, while our<br />
selection of craft beers and rustic smokehouse<br />
dishes are inspired by the pioneering days of<br />
rural living and handcraftsmanship.<br />
“We are a beloved community pub,<br />
welcoming locals, regulars, and visitors alike<br />
who enjoy our friendly atmosphere and great<br />
hospitality,” he said.<br />
As part of their commitment to supporting<br />
businesses within their community, Eden<br />
Brewhouse also takes pride in featuring brews<br />
from their local craft partner Green Beacon –<br />
one of the frontrunners of Brisbane’s craft beer<br />
scene founded in Teneriffe and inspired by the<br />
tranquillity of Moreton Island.<br />
Alex said they understand the importance of<br />
promoting quality, artisan products like craft<br />
beer in their venue, as not only do they meet<br />
the diverse needs of their community, but they<br />
also make Australian hospitality the flavourful,<br />
good-humoured, and unique industry that it is.<br />
“Bringing people together to share good times<br />
is at the heart of what we do. With so many<br />
taps available, our pub acts as a hub for craft<br />
beer enthusiasts in the community, and we<br />
are very proud of that.<br />
“We strive to cater for a varied range of tastes<br />
while supporting an industry that supports us,”<br />
he said.<br />
/ 48<br />
REVIEW
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WORKFORCE,<br />
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SOMETHING ABOUT IT?<br />
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Roadmap For Secure Jobs In Hospitality” report.<br />
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GROOVY<br />
A FEW WEEKS AGO, FELONS BREWING CO.<br />
AND RENOWNED LOCAL ARTIST, SPECTATOR<br />
JONZE, CAME TOGETHER FOR A COLOURFUL<br />
COLLABORATION IN THE NAME OF THE BRISBANE<br />
STREET ART FESTIVAL (BSAF).<br />
Celebrating the return of the BSAF this year, which ran from 4<br />
to 19 May, Felons teamed up with the artist behind Spectator<br />
Jonze, Deena Lynch, to craft a can of limited-edition street art<br />
you can sip on — Jonze Juice.<br />
Connecting visual art to the art of brewing, the annual Felons<br />
x BSAF cans have emerged as an anticipated festival fixture,<br />
doubling as a mini art mural you can keep and revere long<br />
past the last sip.<br />
This year’s collaboration saw the radical art style of a Brisbane<br />
artist rendered into beer form as a full-blown juice box of<br />
tropical fruit flavour, with hop-powered pops of berry and<br />
candy throughout.<br />
Born in Japan and raised here in Australia, Deena seamlessly<br />
blends comedy and vivid colours to illustrate the unique<br />
stories of her life. Reflecting on the artwork for Jonze Juice,<br />
Deena said for her, the best part of creating art is always the<br />
collaborations.<br />
“Working with the brewers on Jonze Juice has been a delight,<br />
and I found inspiration in the vibrant and summery essence<br />
we’ve crafted together.<br />
“Because my art is portraiture, I’ve envisioned Jonze Juice as<br />
a playful world bobbing with quirky beer characters and a<br />
psychedelic ‘70s sunset-inspired colour palette,” she said.<br />
Released on May 2, Jonze Juice set the scene for Brisbane’s<br />
two-week celebration of boundless creativity, community<br />
spirit, and unexpected art encounters.<br />
This year’s BSAF program featured some of the biggest<br />
names in street art, from homegrown heroes Sofles and<br />
David Lee Pereira to New York City’s Damien Mitchell. With<br />
a can in hand, each artist left their sky-high mark on some of<br />
Brisbane’s most iconic locations.<br />
/ 50<br />
REVIEW
A CRAFTY BUNCH<br />
Among the 2024 festival highlights were five large-scale murals<br />
that took shape at Felons and Howard Smith Wharves, with<br />
local luminaries Treazy, Brightsiders, Em Niwa, Luminous Black,<br />
and Cait Dorombozo each creating something special down<br />
under the iconic Story Bridge.<br />
Brand director at Felons, Dean Romeo, said the creativity of<br />
Brisbane continues to inspire them.<br />
“We’re thrilled to welcome these artists down to Felons to<br />
practise their craft and add to the vibrancy of the Howard<br />
Smith Wharves precinct.<br />
“As we enter our fourth year of supporting the BSAF, we<br />
couldn’t be prouder of its growth and the community that<br />
defines it,” he said.<br />
The final touch of the brewery’s radiant collaboration was an<br />
epic art bash held at Felons Barrel Hall on May 18. The free<br />
event blew the roof off with live music, art installations, live<br />
mural slams, and of course, Jonze Juice Hazy Pale Ale.<br />
This fruity concoction is still available online at<br />
www.felonsbrewingco.com.au, or at Felons Brewery, Felons<br />
Barrel Hall, and a select few good beer shops Australia-wide.<br />
REVIEW /51
POT KETTLE<br />
BLACK SOUTH<br />
PACIFIC<br />
PORTER<br />
YEASTIE BOYS<br />
JONZE JUICE<br />
HAZY PALE<br />
ALE<br />
FELONS BREWING CO X<br />
SPECTATOR JONZE<br />
‘FUSION’<br />
CELEBRATION<br />
DIPA<br />
AETHER BREWING X SEVEN<br />
MILE<br />
SURFS UP<br />
WCIPA<br />
MOUNTAIN CULTURE<br />
BEER CO.<br />
I look forward to each<br />
vintage from the Dark<br />
Harvest series. As always,<br />
each is super fresh, with this<br />
one featuring the addition<br />
of Galaxy Hop cones picked<br />
and added to the beer within<br />
six hours. The result is a<br />
deliciously dark brew with<br />
notes of burnt toast and<br />
some apricot jam.<br />
Juicy but dry, fruity but<br />
subtle. This is quite frankly<br />
a ripper brew. Aromas of<br />
melon and citrus make way<br />
for flavours of pineapple,<br />
melon, and spice. The pear<br />
yeast ester, however, was the<br />
standout for me. As for the<br />
artwork by Spectator Jonze,<br />
the can looks as good as the<br />
beer tastes – exceptional.<br />
So pillowy soft on the palate<br />
it’s incredible, then the taste<br />
hits you and it’s just… wow.<br />
There are notes of caramel<br />
to the fore intertwined with<br />
pine, peanut, and a hint of<br />
pineapple. It’s unique, warm,<br />
and oh so relaxing. Love,<br />
love, love it.<br />
Sometimes the description<br />
on the can is so spot on, it<br />
can’t be bettered. “Inspired<br />
by some famous West Coast<br />
IPAs from back in the day<br />
(the 2010’s), we’ve paired<br />
up two big hitting West<br />
Coast hops in Amarillo and<br />
Centennial to provide full<br />
spectrum citrus notes with<br />
hints of freshly fallen pine<br />
needles in a crisp, malty<br />
body. In a first for MCBC, we<br />
added fresh pink grapefruit<br />
juice post fermentation to<br />
complement the hop profile<br />
and add an undercurrent<br />
of subtle juicy sweetness<br />
before the fresh, slightly<br />
bitter wave hits.”<br />
/ 52<br />
REVIEW
TOP DROP<br />
DARK<br />
HARVEST<br />
FRESH HOP<br />
BLACK IPA<br />
DEEDS X BRIDGE ROAD<br />
BREWERS<br />
BOTANIC ALE<br />
COOPERS BREWERY<br />
PULP ART<br />
HAZY IPA<br />
BROOKLYN BREWERY<br />
2024 EL<br />
DESPERADO<br />
PINOT GRIGO<br />
THE PAWN WINE CO.<br />
I look forward to each<br />
vintage from the Dark<br />
Harvest series. As always,<br />
each is super fresh, with this<br />
one featuring the addition<br />
of Galaxy Hop cones picked<br />
and added to the beer within<br />
six hours. The result is a<br />
deliciously dark brew with<br />
notes of burnt toast and<br />
some apricot jam.<br />
Coopers never disappoint,<br />
and so I have never missed<br />
the opportunity to try one<br />
of their new limited-edition<br />
brews. This one offers<br />
a unique twist on their<br />
sparkling ale, which I happen<br />
to love. It features notes of<br />
pine and orange peel and is<br />
beautifully dry and crisp.<br />
Light body, easy drinking.<br />
Notes of apricot, pineapple,<br />
mango, and citrus. Taste<br />
is sweet with a delicate<br />
bitterness. It is rated highly<br />
and while I enjoyed it, it<br />
didn’t blow me away.<br />
Cosy is probably the best<br />
way to describe it. With<br />
delicious fruit flavours,<br />
this wine has a wonderful<br />
balance of acidity and<br />
sweetness. You taste all of<br />
the sweet notes at first, and<br />
then you are left with the<br />
perfect amount of acidity.<br />
Perfect to drink with a nice,<br />
warm pasta or even a good<br />
roast.<br />
REVIEW /53
A CRAFTY<br />
BUNCH<br />
WHY NOT STOCK & SUPPORT<br />
Aether Brewing<br />
Aether is a family-owned, independent<br />
brewery with a passion for creativity that<br />
flows through our liquids and onto our labels<br />
which showcase the talents of local visual<br />
artists. We welcome artists to submit their<br />
existing artwork to aetherbrewing.com.au,<br />
and if selected, they stand to receive $1000,<br />
exposure through our products, online<br />
platforms and more. Aether’s core range is all<br />
natural, vegan, low sugar, preservative and<br />
additive free. Our ginger beer is gluten-free,<br />
so too are our seltzers.<br />
1800 325 013<br />
aetherbrewing.com.au<br />
Ballistic Beer Co.<br />
At Ballistic we have a simple theory. Fresh<br />
beer is the best beer. That’s why we brew<br />
in small batches, more frequently, and store<br />
it cold so you get the same blast of flavour<br />
our brewers do. Our pale ales, lagers, IPAs,<br />
sours and special releases will blow away the<br />
traditional ideas and expectations of what<br />
beer should be.<br />
Set in an old World War II ammunitions<br />
factory in the historic, industrial suburb of<br />
Salisbury, Ballistic HQ is home to a team of<br />
innovative brewers who believe everyone<br />
should have the chance to enjoy a well<br />
crafted, quality beer.<br />
(07) 3277 6656<br />
ballisticbeer.com<br />
Brisbane Brewing Co.<br />
Brisbane’s longest-running independent<br />
brewery, family-owned and serving awardwinning<br />
beer since 2005. Our beers are<br />
brewed to suit the climate, bringing people<br />
who love to explore the world and locally<br />
made craft beer together. Welcoming and<br />
friendly, unpretentious, and easy going, enjoy<br />
on hot summer or cool sunny winter day,<br />
“The Brisbanest Beer”.<br />
(07) 3891 1011<br />
brisbanebrewing.com.au/wholesale<br />
Burleigh Brewing Co<br />
Founded in 2006 by Peta and Brennan<br />
Fielding, Burleigh Brewing was one of the<br />
first independent craft breweries in QLD.<br />
Now celebrating 15 years of the brand,<br />
Burleigh Brewing has upgraded their<br />
Taphouse in Burleigh Heads, won countless<br />
awards for both business and beer (a<br />
testament to their shared and individual<br />
strengths), grown to a team of 70, and in<br />
their own humble, hard-working way, helped<br />
transform the Gold Coast’s craft brewing<br />
scene into one of the most vibrant and<br />
thriving in the country.<br />
(07) 5593 6000<br />
burleighbrewing.com.au<br />
The Catchment Brewing Co<br />
Catchment Brewing Co, located in a<br />
beautiful art deco building in West End, is a<br />
fully functioning brewery, bar and restaurant<br />
and your one stop shop for all things craft<br />
beer, awesome food and functions.<br />
Whether sampling the medal winning core<br />
range beers named after iconic streets in the<br />
local catchment or the seasonal smash hits<br />
that will amaze you, it’s well worth a visit for<br />
a taste of West End.<br />
Catchment Brewing Co - For locals, by<br />
locals, everywhere.<br />
(07) 3846 1701<br />
bookings@catchmentbrewingco.com.au<br />
catchmentbrewingco.com.au<br />
Felons Brewing Co<br />
Founded by Brisbane locals, Felons<br />
Brewing Co. is a modern-day brewery<br />
proudly positioned on the banks of the<br />
Brisbane River. Our brewery is nestled<br />
down under the Story Bridge, within<br />
Howard Smith Wharves. We truly<br />
believe that beer is what binds us all to<br />
this great part of the world and as proud<br />
brewers, we believe in brewing with<br />
passion and freedom.<br />
07 3188 9090<br />
felonsbrewingco.com.au<br />
/ 54<br />
REVIEW
A CRAFTY BUNCH<br />
QUEENSLAND LOCALS<br />
A CRAFTY<br />
BUNCH<br />
Mountain Culture<br />
We’re Mountain Culture, the team behind<br />
a brewery whose sole focus is to make<br />
really good beer. Just ask the 60,000 GABS<br />
Hottest 100 voters who sent our beer,<br />
Status Quo Pale Ale, skyrocketing into the<br />
top spot.<br />
From our original brewpub in the Blue<br />
Mountains, we’re the independent cult<br />
brewery challenging itself to create a new<br />
standard of Australian brewing.<br />
mountainculture.com.au<br />
Scarborough Harbour Brewing Co.<br />
Nestled in the Scarborough Marina on the<br />
Redcliffe Peninsula, our brewery is home<br />
to award-winning craft beers and delicious<br />
meals, that can be enjoyed in our double<br />
story venue, that boasts views across the<br />
bay to the beautiful Glass House Mountains;<br />
a view best enjoyed with a beer in hand.<br />
1800 727 104<br />
scarboroughharbourbc.com.au<br />
Slipstream Brewing<br />
Slipstream Brewing is an independently<br />
owned brewery based in Brisbane. We are a<br />
small but passionate team producing some<br />
of the most accessible and sessionable craft<br />
beers in Australia. We’re the missing gap<br />
between bland beer and wanky beer, our<br />
beers hit the bullseye, brewed with nothing<br />
but pure flavour in mind. Hops are the heroes<br />
and we milk them for all their worth. We love<br />
the freshness, juiciness, the zing and the<br />
zest. One sip, it tastes so good – capture that<br />
feeling and fill the fridge with it. Beer is the<br />
last thing you should settle on, so come and<br />
get caught in Slipstream.<br />
(07) 3892 4582<br />
slipstreambrewing.com.au<br />
4 Hearts Brewing<br />
The first brewery to open its doors in<br />
Ipswich in over 100 years, 4 Hearts’<br />
brew masters are committed to premium<br />
local ingredients and profound taste.<br />
Preservative free and all natural they<br />
use the highest quality ingredients to<br />
consistently deliver a tasty beer every<br />
brew. Our core range features modern<br />
spins on traditional brews while our ever<br />
growing range of seasonal beers takes<br />
things to more adventurous levels, utilising<br />
local seasonal produce as inspiration<br />
(honey, rosella or carrots anyone…?).<br />
0439 439 710<br />
4heartsbrewing.com<br />
Fortitude Brewing Co<br />
Fortitude Brewing Co delivers<br />
you 15 taps of fresh beer locally<br />
produced in our Tamborine<br />
Mountain Brewery. Enjoy a<br />
day trip up the mountain and<br />
visit our team for the best fresh<br />
pizza and tasting paddles.<br />
07 5545 4273<br />
fortitudebrewing.com.au<br />
REVIEW /55
56<br />
REVIEW
A SPIRITED BUNCH<br />
CULT<br />
CLASSICS<br />
LACED WITH INSPIRATION FROM FILM, ART,<br />
LITERATURE, AND FOLKLORE – YOU’VE NEVER<br />
HEARD OF A DISTILLERY QUITE LIKE THIS ONE.<br />
It all started when Rory Smith, a boy with<br />
a gift for all things creative, grew up to<br />
study film and have a career in commercial<br />
production. However, after it occurred to him<br />
that he wasn’t going to hit the big time in<br />
Hollywood, Rory came to the realisation that<br />
he was meant for other things.<br />
And so, born out of a love of gin and<br />
stemming from a keen interest in the arts,<br />
Nosferatu Distillery opened in 2018 with<br />
a delightfully noir range of spirits – each<br />
accompanied by ingredients, distillation<br />
techniques, and stories that are as fascinating<br />
as they are mysterious.<br />
Head distiller, Ashley Mellor, said Rory has<br />
always loved the movie Nosferatu – also<br />
known as the best vampire movie ever made.<br />
“It’s a silent, black-and-white movie released<br />
in 1922 and an unauthorised and unofficial<br />
adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel,<br />
Dracula. The film stars Maximilian Schreck as<br />
Count Orlok.<br />
“Bram Stoker’s heirs sued over the<br />
adaptation, and a court ruling ordered all<br />
copies of the film to be destroyed. However,<br />
several prints of Nosferatu survived, and the<br />
film came to be regarded as an influential<br />
masterpiece of cinema and the horror genre.<br />
“As our first and signature gin is the Blood<br />
Orange Gin, our name just made sense! The<br />
spirit has gone on to win many awards and<br />
hearts while amassing quite a cult following,”<br />
she said.<br />
Fortunately for us, after opening in<br />
Melbourne, the Nosferatu Distillery was<br />
moved to Brisbane’s Bowen Hills in 2022. In<br />
Queensland, Rory set out to demonstrate that<br />
food pairings (which are a celebrated and<br />
normal concept in the wine industry) can be<br />
applicable with gins as well.<br />
As such, the brand’s core range is designed<br />
with food pairings in mind and encourages<br />
customers to have their own ‘Ginner Party’ by<br />
coupling spirits with complementary dishes.<br />
Despite the distillery’s many points of<br />
difference, Ashley said they take a mostly<br />
traditional approach to the creation of<br />
their gins.<br />
“We use carefully selected gin botanicals<br />
with the end flavour profile in mind and<br />
thoughtfully pick which stage in the<br />
distillation process to use the botanical to<br />
influence the end flavour.<br />
“Mouthfeel is also really important to us, so<br />
we use a three-stage citrus infusion process<br />
to give our gins a great texture. Gin is a great<br />
product to experiment with, as the only rule<br />
is that it needs to contain juniper as the<br />
dominant botanical.<br />
“We reverse-engineer our spirits and select<br />
flavours that not only pair well with food, but<br />
also stand up well by themselves. We make<br />
sure to painstakingly test our ideas until we<br />
have nailed them,” she said.<br />
Indeed, every single one of Nosferatu<br />
Distillery’s core range made it into the<br />
Ginuary Festival’s Hottest 100 Aussie Gins<br />
of 2023, which only continues the pattern of<br />
Queensland craft distillers finding immense<br />
success in today’s industry.<br />
The brand gained notoriety pretty early in its<br />
existence as well, with the vibrant, spicy, rich,<br />
smooth, and viscous Nosferatu Blood Orange<br />
Gin winning Best Gin Bottle in Australia at the<br />
Australian Gin Awards in 2018.<br />
Ashley said Rory has always loved Pimm’s<br />
and Campari, so he wanted their first gin to<br />
have elements of this.<br />
REVIEW / 57
“Our signature spirit uses toasted fenugreek as a botanical. As<br />
far as we know, it’s the only gin that does this! The botanical<br />
is used in Pimm’s and provides a hint of bitterness at the end<br />
in addition to a nutty flavour.<br />
“We toast the fenugreek just like James Pimm did in 1823. This<br />
caramelises it and converts the starches into sugars, giving it<br />
a lovely toffee and roasted caramel taste.<br />
“Nosferatu Blood Orange Gin has more backbone and<br />
savoury qualities, so it pairs well with stronger flavoured foods<br />
such duck, other game birds, and even roast lamb and black<br />
peppercorns,” she said.<br />
It’s no doubt that Rory’s love of film, gothic literature, and the<br />
arts has also been an incredibly important part of the brand’s<br />
success. Each gin is represented by a mythological character<br />
and comes with a glimpse into their cultural history, making<br />
each sip an experience rather than just another drink.<br />
Ashley said their Mandrake Cucumber and Mint Gin, for<br />
example, continues their obsession with old books and<br />
spooky folklore.<br />
“Mandrakes were mentioned in legend, the Bible, and<br />
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. More recently, mandrakes<br />
appeared in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and films,<br />
where fully grown mandrake roots scream when pulled<br />
from the ground, killing anyone unfortunate enough to hear<br />
their cries.<br />
“This gin has flavours of cucumber, mint, lemon, citrus, and<br />
liquorice root and is best served with seafood and lighter<br />
dishes. It works well alongside saline and fresh flavour profiles<br />
– think granita on raw oysters with finger lime or tuna crudo,”<br />
she said.<br />
On the other hand, Nosferatu’s Giselle Pavlova Gin is<br />
designed to taste like a pavlova base without the fruit on top.<br />
Achieved by macerating the ingredients post-distillation, the<br />
spirit tastes like cream, vanilla, toffee, and burnt meringue.<br />
Night Feast,<br />
Brisbane<br />
PowerHouse<br />
/ 58<br />
REVIEW
A SPIRITED BUNCH<br />
Ashley said Anna Pavlova was a Russian ballerina who<br />
danced the famous Giselle Ballet almost to her death.<br />
“Giselle is one of the most renowned ballets and is often<br />
performed around the world. It’s the story of a peasant girl<br />
who dies of a broken heart after being tricked by her<br />
wealthy and powerful lover. But just like our gin, revenge is<br />
best served cold and sweet, and Giselle returns as a<br />
beautiful ghost.<br />
“Of course, most people would think to pair this with a<br />
traditional pavlova. However, as these flavours are already<br />
present, it’s far more fun to put them next to fresh fruit tarts<br />
and bright, tropical flavours. The sweetness of the gin cries<br />
out for some fresh acidity,” she said.<br />
The last bottle in the distillery’s core range is the fruity and<br />
slightly sweet Bunyip Sticky Gin, which is especially unique<br />
due to being blended with unfermented grape juice,<br />
making it a modern interpretation of the French classic<br />
called Mistelle.<br />
Ashley said they loved experimenting with Muscat and<br />
Pino Grigio grapes for their gin version of a sticky wine.<br />
“Deep in the Aussie bush lives the elusive man-eating<br />
bunyip. Despite many attempts, no one has ever captured<br />
one. Rumour has it that it was sighted where we got our<br />
first batch of grapes from on the Mornington Peninsula.<br />
“A bunyip is a creature from Indigenous mythology that<br />
lives in rivers and creeks. For this one, we hoped to create<br />
something new and unusual, so that’s exactly what we did.<br />
Night Feast, Brisbane PowerHouse<br />
REVIEW / 59
“WE USE CAREFULLY<br />
SELECTED GIN BOTANICALS<br />
WITH THE END FLAVOUR<br />
PROFILE IN MIND AND<br />
THOUGHTFULLY PICK WHICH<br />
STAGE IN THE DISTILLATION<br />
PROCESS TO USE THE<br />
BOTANICAL TO INFLUENCE<br />
THE END FLAVOUR.”<br />
“This ‘cheese course’ gin can be enjoyed at the start of a meal<br />
or at the end, depending on where you would usually eat<br />
cheese. Generally, the funkier the cheese, the fruitier the gin<br />
becomes, whereas saltier cheese makes the gin sweeter,”<br />
she said.<br />
Rounding out Nosferatu Distillery’s range is their Dead Dry<br />
Gin, Dead Dry Vodka, Rye + Corn Whiskey, and Death +<br />
Taxes Dry Gin – a limited edition collaboration with the Death<br />
& Taxes bar group.<br />
In addition to a coffin-shaped pot still named Schreck,<br />
Nosferatu Distillery boasts a picturesque café and bar set<br />
inside a romantic, industrial shed surrounded by beautiful<br />
hanging garden beds, reclaimed wine barrels, and fairy lights.<br />
Ashley said their venue is a fantastic function space akin to<br />
a gin garden party, with their drinks being served out of a<br />
vintage caravan.<br />
“Here, customers can sample all of our products on a tasting<br />
paddle, try some bespoke cocktails featuring our spirits, or<br />
buy our bottles and gift packs. The best part is that all of our<br />
gin distilling equipment is on display, so patrons can watch<br />
the distiller work while they have a coffee or a cheeky drink.<br />
“We’d love to increase our focus on food pairings, as we think<br />
this is what sets our range apart from other distilleries. We<br />
have just opened up a kitchen, so we can now offer more<br />
substantial meals to pair with our gins.<br />
“We will also be releasing a coffee liqueur very soon, and in a<br />
few months, be sure to look out for a fig gin! In the meantime,<br />
hotels, pubs, and bars can buy our range from wholesalers<br />
such as Bouchon Wines and Spirits, Paramount Liquor, and<br />
Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM).<br />
It’s pretty easy to get excited about Nosferatu Distillery<br />
when you can hear from the passionate people behind the<br />
brand while immersing yourself in the curious myths and<br />
gothic tales that have never ceased to captivate, terrify, and<br />
inspire us.<br />
Ashley said if they have learnt anything, it’s that customers<br />
love to uncover the stories that drive their distillery.<br />
“Most imported brands lack a backstory and are mass<br />
produced, so making our gins in small batches allows us<br />
to produce more interesting, greater quality gins locally.<br />
Consumers love local products, whether they’re Australianmade<br />
or, even better, Queensland-made.<br />
“We made a strong choice not to be a ‘location name’<br />
distillery. We want to be loved everywhere, not just in our local<br />
area. It’s also better for the environment to buy locally, rather<br />
than have products shipped all the way from overseas.<br />
“We have a strong desire to lower our carbon footprint and<br />
make products that can be created and served with this in<br />
mind while using traditional gin botanicals to create solid,<br />
delicious, and unique gins,” she said.<br />
/ 60<br />
REVIEW
2024<br />
SAVE THE<br />
DATE<br />
Wednesday 10 July 2024<br />
Emporium Hotel Southbank
PUB TALK/ PAUL ST JOHN-WOOD<br />
EXCITING TIMES AHEAD<br />
COMBINED HOTELIERS AND GENERAL<br />
MANAGERS MEETING - BRISBANE<br />
On Monday, 3 <strong>June</strong> the <strong>QHA</strong> will host<br />
a combined Hoteliers and General<br />
Managers meeting in Brisbane at the Port<br />
Office Hotel to coincide with the Awards<br />
for Excellence Gala Dinner that evening.<br />
This meeting is an opportunity for venue<br />
operators who are travelling to Brisbane to<br />
attend the awards to hear firsthand from<br />
the <strong>QHA</strong> team on industry and regulatory<br />
updates. Further information on this event<br />
has been sent to South East Queensland<br />
members and finalists for the awards.<br />
TOOWOOMBA REGION HOTELIERS<br />
MEETING<br />
On Tuesday, 9 July the <strong>QHA</strong> will host a<br />
publican’s lunch for hoteliers and their<br />
key staff from around the Toowoomba<br />
Region. This lunch will feature discussions<br />
and business development presentations<br />
from a range of <strong>QHA</strong> staff and corporate<br />
partners.<br />
PFD Food Services will again generously<br />
showcase their products and provide<br />
a delicious lunch for all attendees, and<br />
of course our beverage partners will<br />
ensure everyone remains well hydrated<br />
throughout. Details of the lunch have<br />
been sent to all venues in the Toowoomba<br />
Region, and you still have time to register<br />
your attendance.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> & TABCORP SUNSHINE COAST<br />
RACE DAY<br />
The date and location has now been<br />
set for the 2024 <strong>QHA</strong> & TABCORP<br />
Race Day. The event will be held at the<br />
Sunshine Coast Turf Club, Corbould Park<br />
Racecourse Caloundra on Wednesday, 21<br />
August. Details for the event will be sent<br />
to all licensees and industry partners.<br />
The <strong>QHA</strong> & TABCORP Race Day is always<br />
a fantastic networking event for industry<br />
participants, and the Sunshine Coast Turf<br />
Club provides a unique experience for<br />
the event as we are so close to the racing<br />
action. We anticipate over 300 attendees,<br />
so ensure you confirm your tickets early.<br />
REMOTE SELF-EXCLUSIONS FOR<br />
GAMBLING<br />
Licensees are reporting an increase<br />
in third-party remote self-exclusion<br />
requests from gambling help providers.<br />
Licensees are reminded that remote selfexclusions<br />
can only be requested through<br />
government-funded gambling help<br />
services, and when the request is made<br />
with the completed remote self-exclusion<br />
authority and identification form, exclusion<br />
form 3A, and a clear digital photo of the<br />
person along with a copy of their photo<br />
identification. After this, they must be<br />
accepted and implemented at your venue.<br />
Following a receipt of the aforementioned<br />
documentation from a gambling help<br />
service, the venue is then required to<br />
complete and return exclusion form 3B to<br />
the individual and to the gambling help<br />
service via email and then complete form<br />
3G – register of excluded persons. If a<br />
venue receives a request for exclusion<br />
that does not contain all of the necessary<br />
documentation, or if the request is made<br />
by a third party that is not a gambling help<br />
service, then the venue is not required to<br />
accept the exclusion at that point.<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> REGIONAL BOARD MEETING –<br />
ROCKHAMPTON<br />
The tradition of the <strong>QHA</strong> Regional<br />
Board Meeting continues this year,<br />
with Rockhampton being the chosen<br />
destination. This meeting will be held on<br />
Tuesday 30 July. Detailed invitations will<br />
be sent via post and email to hoteliers in<br />
the region.<br />
/ 62<br />
REVIEW
TRADE DIRECTORY<br />
INSURANCE | RISK MANAGEMENT | CONSULTING<br />
Your trusted advisor, helping you identify your business<br />
risks and find the right insurance solutions so you can<br />
face your future with confidence.<br />
Call: 1800 240 432<br />
AJG.com/au/qha<br />
LIVE SPORT IN VENUES<br />
Foxtel Business delivers the magic of sport to venues<br />
– bringing people together, entertaining them and<br />
contributing to a boost in trade. And with over 50 live sports,<br />
there’s something for everyone. Serve your customers the<br />
best sporting action with Foxtel.<br />
P: 1300 761 056 www.foxtel.com.au/venues<br />
START YOUR<br />
ELECTRIC JOURNEY<br />
WITH WALDORF!<br />
MARKET LEADING BRANDS IN EQUIPMENT<br />
No matter the size, shape or demands placed on your<br />
business, we have the ability to deliver equipment that<br />
is functional, adaptable and reliable, Turbofan, Waldorf,<br />
Waldorf Bold, Cobra, Convotherm, FastFri, Merrychef.<br />
P: 1300 268 798 E: info@moffat.com.au<br />
Service department: 1300 264 217<br />
STODDART<br />
Stoddart are one of Australia’s leading manufacturers and<br />
importers of a large range of world leading equipment for<br />
food service and bar applications.<br />
Darrin Miller<br />
P: 0417 867 979 E: dmiller@stoddart.com.au<br />
stoddart.com.au<br />
LEADING PUB AND HOTEL LAWYERS IN QUEENSLAND<br />
Mullins’ hospitality team has unrivalled experience in the<br />
liquor and gaming sector, developed over 40 years. From<br />
greenfield applications and integrated developments to<br />
liquor and gaming compliance and employment advice -<br />
we are your one-stop-shop to ensure the best outcomes<br />
for your hotel.<br />
Curt Schatz, Managing Partner | Direct: 07 3224 0230<br />
Email: cschatz@mullinslawyers.com.au<br />
mullinslawyers.com.au<br />
<strong>QHA</strong><br />
MEMBER<br />
OFFER<br />
CITY PROPERTY SERVICES<br />
Over 25 years of commercial<br />
cleaning services | Triple certified<br />
Quality assured | EcoClean<br />
Certified using environmentally<br />
friendly products.<br />
Get 2 weeks free with any<br />
12 month contract when<br />
mentioning this advert.<br />
P: 1300 630 636<br />
citypropertyservices.com.au<br />
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION<br />
For more information on advertising and promoting<br />
your business in the <strong>QHA</strong> REVIEW contact Dave Swan.<br />
qhareview@qha.org.au or 0401 345 201<br />
REVIEW / 63
<strong>QHA</strong> PARTNERS & CORPORATE MEMBERS<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> Partners and Corporate Members are valued preferred suppliers to the Queensland hotel industry. The businesses listed<br />
in this directory are keen supporters of hotels in Queensland and the <strong>QHA</strong> encourages member hotels to utilise their products<br />
and services. If a business wishes to find out how to become a <strong>QHA</strong> Partner or Corporate Member, please call Damian Steele,<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> Deputy Cheif Executive, on (07) 3221 6999.<br />
ACCOUNTING/ TAX<br />
HLB Mann Judd - Chartered<br />
Accountants<br />
Ph: 07 3001 8800<br />
hlb.com.au<br />
Prosperity Advisers QLD<br />
Ph: 07 3007 1971<br />
prosperity.com.au<br />
SW Accountants<br />
& Advisors<br />
Ph: 07 3085 0888<br />
sw-au.com<br />
Quantaco<br />
Ph: 02 8346 6000<br />
quantaco.co<br />
Clarity Management<br />
Ph: 3058 9732<br />
claritymg.com.au<br />
McGrathNicol<br />
Ph: 07 3333 9800<br />
mcgrathnicol.com<br />
Trinitas Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 1300 836 025<br />
trinitas3.com.au<br />
ARCHITECTS / REPAIRS<br />
REFURBISHMENT/<br />
RECONSTRUCTION /<br />
CONSTRUCTION<br />
Ashley Cooper Construction<br />
Ph: 07 3142 5915<br />
ashleycooper.com<br />
BSPN Architecture<br />
Ph: 07 3851 9100<br />
bpsn.com.au<br />
Caughley & Co<br />
Ph: 0434 549 242<br />
caughleyco.com.au<br />
Eurofurn<br />
Ph: 07 3216 5887<br />
eurofurn.com.au<br />
Rohrig Constructions<br />
Ph: 07 3257 4411<br />
rohrlg.com.au<br />
Imagination Play<br />
Ph: 07 3088 6077<br />
imaginationplay.com.au<br />
IQ Construct<br />
Ph: 3667 8202<br />
iqcontruct.com.au<br />
Liife Architecture<br />
Ph: 0401 384 547<br />
archliife.com<br />
Urban Play<br />
Ph: 07 3256 0554<br />
urbanplay.com.au<br />
BEVERAGES<br />
Accolade Wines<br />
Ph: 07 3252 7933<br />
accolade-wines.com<br />
Brown-Forman<br />
Australia P/L<br />
Ph: 07 3010 2000<br />
brown-forman.com<br />
Campari Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 07 3253 1801<br />
camparigroup.com.au<br />
Carlton & United<br />
Breweries<br />
Ph: 07 3666 4104<br />
cub.com.au<br />
Coca-Cola Europacific<br />
Partners<br />
Ph: 13 26 53<br />
ccamatil.com<br />
Coopers Brewery<br />
Ph: 07 3275 3732<br />
coopers.com.au<br />
CUB Premium Beverages<br />
Ph: 07 3666 4104<br />
cub.com.au<br />
Diageo<br />
Ph: 07 3257 0800<br />
diageo.com<br />
Diablo Co<br />
Ph: 0400 696 192<br />
diabloco.com.au<br />
Lion<br />
Ph: 07 3361 7400<br />
lionco.com<br />
Paramount Liquor<br />
Ph: 0429 448 523<br />
www.paramountliquor.<br />
com.au<br />
Pernod-Ricard Australia<br />
Ph: 07 3340 5471<br />
pernod-ricard.com<br />
Red Bull Australia<br />
Ph: 02 9023 2892<br />
redbull.com.au<br />
Samuel Smith & Son<br />
Ph: 07 3373 5777<br />
samsmith.com<br />
Southtrade International<br />
Ph: 07 3085 7418<br />
southtradeint.com.au<br />
Treasury Wine Estates<br />
Ph: 03 9685 8000<br />
treasurywineestates.com<br />
Flying Foam Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0413 447 711<br />
flyingfoam.com.au<br />
Your Mates Brewing Co.<br />
Ph: 07 5329 4733<br />
yourmatesbrewing.com<br />
4 Hearts Brewing<br />
Ph: 07 3281 1004<br />
admin@4heartsbrewing.com<br />
4heartsbrewing.com<br />
Heads of Noosa Brewing Co.<br />
Ph: 0401 399 625<br />
headsofnoosa.com.au<br />
BUILDING SUPPLIES<br />
& SERVICES<br />
Bunnings<br />
Ph: 07 3452 5725<br />
bunnings.com.au<br />
Urban Play<br />
Ph: 07 3256 0554<br />
urbanplay.com.au<br />
EDUCATION, TRAINING<br />
& EMPLOYMENT<br />
Best Security -<br />
Security & Training<br />
Ph: 07 3212 8460<br />
bestsecurlty.net.au<br />
Alliance Abroad<br />
International Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0450 232 460<br />
allianceabroad.com<br />
BTAQ Consulting<br />
Ph: 0408 437 643<br />
btaq.com.au<br />
Find HQ<br />
Ph: 0431 376 689<br />
findachef.net.au<br />
Frontier Leadership<br />
Ph: 0423 097 246<br />
frontierleadership.edu.au<br />
Federation Academy<br />
Ph: 0423 097 246<br />
federationacademy.edu.au<br />
Prime Effect<br />
Ph: 0406 500 171<br />
primeeffect.com.au<br />
MEGT<br />
Ph: 0409 896 503<br />
megt.com.au<br />
Owner Manager Program<br />
Ph: 0437 834 195<br />
ownermanager.com.au<br />
Sero Institute<br />
Ph: 1800 206 010<br />
seroinstitute.edu.au<br />
TAFE Queensland<br />
Ph: 1300 308 233<br />
tafeqld.edu.au<br />
Tribe Workforce Solutions<br />
Ph: 07 3238 0808<br />
tribeworkforce.com.au<br />
The Kingsmen<br />
Ph: 0410 416 655<br />
thekingsmen.net.au<br />
Zenith Hospitality Staffing<br />
Solutions<br />
Ph: 07 3002 4000<br />
zenithhospitality.com<br />
ENERGY GAS/POWER<br />
BOC Limited<br />
Ph: 07 3212 4135<br />
boc.com.au<br />
TransTasman<br />
Energy Group<br />
Ph: 1300 118 834<br />
tteg.com.au<br />
Solar Connected<br />
Ph: 0432 600 788<br />
solarconnected.com.au<br />
Spinifex Energy<br />
Ph: 0419 108 638<br />
spinifexenergy.com.au<br />
Sun Flux Solar Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0421 082 828<br />
sunfluxsolar.com.au<br />
FINANCES, BANKING,<br />
INSURANCE &<br />
INVESTMENTS<br />
BDO Australia<br />
Ph: 07 3237 5999<br />
bdo.com.au<br />
Commonwealth Bank of<br />
Australia<br />
Ph: 0476 824 307<br />
CommBank.com.au<br />
Gallagher Insurance Brokers<br />
Brisbane: 07 3367 5000<br />
Nth QLD: 07 4753 5311<br />
Toowoomba: 07 4639 7102<br />
ajg.com.au<br />
Green Finance Group<br />
Ph: 0457 883 700<br />
greenfinancegroup.com.au<br />
Waratah Debt Capital<br />
Ph: 0448 681 783<br />
waratahmanagement.<br />
com.au<br />
Westpac Banking<br />
Corporation<br />
Ph: 0438 701 195<br />
westpac.com.au<br />
Banktech<br />
Ph: 1800 080 910<br />
banktech.com.au<br />
BUPA - health insurance<br />
Ph: 134 135<br />
(quote ID 2139463)<br />
bupa.com.au<br />
CTB & Co<br />
(Cooking the Books)<br />
Ph: 1300 911 282<br />
cookingthebooks.com<br />
Trinitas Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 1300 836 025<br />
trinitas3.com.au<br />
Matrix Insurance Group<br />
Ph: 08 6555 7742<br />
matrixinsurance.com.au<br />
FOOD & ASSOCIATED<br />
BUSINESSES<br />
Bidfood Australia Limited<br />
Ph: 0434 939 134<br />
bidfood.com.au<br />
PFD Food Services<br />
Ph: 131 733<br />
pfdfoods.com.au<br />
Simon George and Sons<br />
Ph: 07 3717 1400<br />
simongeorge.com.au<br />
CTB & Co<br />
(Cooking the Books)<br />
Ph: 1300 911 282<br />
cookingthebooks.com<br />
Food and Agribusiness<br />
Network<br />
Ph: 0419 651 157<br />
foodagribusiness.org.au<br />
Goodman Fielder<br />
Ph: 0403 937 801<br />
gffoodservice.com.au<br />
CFM Australia -<br />
Swap & Go Oils<br />
Ph: 0430 504 486<br />
cfmaustralia.com.au<br />
FURNITURE SUPPLY<br />
SlumberCorp<br />
Ph: 07 3892 7477<br />
slumbercorp.com.au<br />
GAMING AND RACING<br />
Ainsworth Game<br />
Technology P/L<br />
Ph: 07 3209 6210<br />
ainsworth.com.au<br />
Aristocrat Leisure<br />
Industries<br />
Ph: 07 3727 1600<br />
aristocrat.com.au<br />
IGT<br />
Ph: 07 3890 5622<br />
igt.com.au<br />
/ 64<br />
REVIEW
Konami Australia<br />
Ph: 02 9666 3111<br />
konamiaustralia.com.au<br />
Light & Wonder<br />
Ph: 02 9773 0299<br />
explore.lnw.com<br />
MAX<br />
Ph: 0418 728 927<br />
max.com.au<br />
Odyssey Gaming Services<br />
Ph: 07 3087 3300<br />
odysseygaming.com<br />
PVS Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 03 8671 1900<br />
pvsoz.com.au<br />
Simtech<br />
Ph: 07 5596 6993<br />
simtechcreations.com<br />
Keno<br />
(The Lottery Corporation)<br />
Ph: 07 3001 9300<br />
thelotterycorporation.com<br />
TAB<br />
Ph: 0436 816 254<br />
tab.com.au<br />
UTOPIA Gaming Systems<br />
Ph: 1800 200 201<br />
utopiagaming.com.au<br />
HOSPITALITY<br />
CONSULTANTS<br />
AHS Hospitality<br />
Ph: 07 5512 6143<br />
ahshospitality.com.au<br />
DNS Specialist Services<br />
Ph: 0433 906 809<br />
dnsspecialistservices.com.au<br />
DWS Hospitality Specialists<br />
Ph: 07 3878 9355<br />
dws.net<br />
Lighthouse Safety &<br />
Compliance<br />
Ph: 0422 669 631<br />
lighthousesafety.com.au<br />
Logic Hospitality<br />
Ph: 07 5520 3957<br />
logichospitality.com.au<br />
HOTEL ENTERTAINMENT<br />
Foxtel Business<br />
Ph: 1300 790 182<br />
foxtel.com.au/venues<br />
Sky Channel<br />
Ph: 07 3228 6344<br />
Freecall: 1800 251 710<br />
skychannel.com.au<br />
Stan Sport<br />
Ph: 0416 208 417<br />
stan.com.au/sport/venues<br />
Nightlife - Music & Video<br />
Freecall: 1800 679 748<br />
nightlife.com.au<br />
Pro Score - Sporting<br />
Promotions<br />
Ph: 0431 366 800<br />
proscore.com.au<br />
Rooks Entertainment<br />
Ph: 07 4068 8633<br />
rooks-entertainment.com.au<br />
HOTEL & BAR SUPPLIES<br />
BOC Limited - Gas/<br />
Reticulation Supply<br />
Ph: 07 3212 4322<br />
boc.com.au<br />
Reward Hospitality<br />
Ph: 07 3341 5929<br />
rewardhospitality.com.au<br />
Stoddart<br />
Ph: 0437 576 447<br />
stoddart.com.au<br />
HOTEL BROKERS /<br />
REAL ESTATE /<br />
PROPERTY VALUERS<br />
Off Market Hotels<br />
Chris Cameron<br />
Ph: 0408 192 490<br />
offmarkethotels.com.au<br />
Power Jeffrey & Co -<br />
Hotel Brokers<br />
Ph: 07 3832 6000<br />
powerjeffrey.com.au<br />
CRE Brokers<br />
Ph: 07 5371 0165<br />
crebrokers.com<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> PLATINUM PARTNERS<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> DIAMOND PARTNERS<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> GOLD PARTNERS<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> SILVER PARTNERS<br />
Mondandia Consulting<br />
Ph: 0448 710 629<br />
monandiaconsulting.com.au<br />
Morph Consulting Services<br />
Ph: 0438 758 847<br />
morph-consulting.com<br />
HTL Property<br />
Ph: 02 9136 6373<br />
htlproperty.com.au<br />
JLL<br />
Ph: 07 3231 1311<br />
jll.com.au<br />
BSV<br />
Daily Press<br />
H&L Australia<br />
Next Payments<br />
Odyssey Gaming<br />
Services<br />
Prosperity<br />
Advisers QLD<br />
PVS Australia<br />
Simon George & Sons<br />
Trans Tasman<br />
Energy Group<br />
UTOPIA Gaming<br />
Systems<br />
Nuvho<br />
Ph: 07 3357 9951<br />
nuvho.com<br />
SGW Hotel Broker<br />
Ph: 0417 508 452<br />
sgwhotelbroker.com.au<br />
<strong>QHA</strong> BRONZE PARTNERS<br />
Professional Hospitality<br />
Ph: 07 3160 8132<br />
professionalhospitality.com.au<br />
Prostaff Events Pty Ltd<br />
prostaffevents.com.au<br />
Relief Hotel Management<br />
Ph: 0419 733 681<br />
reliefhotelmanagement.com<br />
LEGAL<br />
Mullins<br />
Ph: (07) 3224 0222<br />
mullinslawyers.com.au<br />
Holding Redlich<br />
Ph: 07 3135 0500<br />
holdingredlich.com<br />
Best Security<br />
Beyond Payments<br />
BOC Limited<br />
BSPN Architecture<br />
Caughley and Co<br />
Chewzie Table<br />
Ordering<br />
Coopers Brewery<br />
Command 51<br />
Eurofurn<br />
Diablo Co<br />
Green Finance Group<br />
HLB Mann Judd<br />
SwiftPOS<br />
Operandio Pty Ltd<br />
Ozone Hospitality<br />
Services<br />
Paramount Liquor<br />
Platypus Print<br />
Packaging<br />
Power Jeffrey and<br />
Company<br />
Quantaco<br />
Rohrig Constructions<br />
Red Bull Australia<br />
Secure Access I.T.<br />
Simtech<br />
Southtrade<br />
International<br />
Stan Sport<br />
SW Accountants<br />
& Advisors<br />
Waratah Debt Capital<br />
REVIEW / 65
<strong>QHA</strong> PARTNERS & CORPORATE MEMBERS<br />
HopgoodGanim Lawyers<br />
Ph: 0419 762 469<br />
hopgoodganim.com.au<br />
Idealpos Solutions<br />
Ph: 07 3630 2455<br />
Idealpos.co<br />
Operandio Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0422 398 294<br />
operandio.com<br />
K&L Gates<br />
Ph: 0416 131 543<br />
klgates.com<br />
MyVenue Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0447 129 873<br />
myvenue.com/pubs-cafes-bars<br />
Secure Access I.T.<br />
Ph: 1300 880 565<br />
secureaccess.com.au<br />
APPROVED<br />
MANAGER’S<br />
LICENCE<br />
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF<br />
LICENSED VENUES TRAINING<br />
LIQUOR<br />
BUYING GROUPS<br />
Bottlemart<br />
Ph: 1300 733 504<br />
bottlemart.com.au<br />
Independent Liquor Group<br />
Ph: 07 3713 2751<br />
ilg.com.au<br />
Liquor Legends<br />
Ph: 07 3107 7422<br />
liquorlegends.com.au<br />
LIQUOR<br />
WHOLESALE GROUPS<br />
ALM (Australian Liquor<br />
Marketers)<br />
Brisbane: 07 3489 3600<br />
Townsville: 07 4799 4022<br />
Cairns: 07 4041 6070<br />
almliquor.com.au<br />
UrPay<br />
Ph: 0411 457 377<br />
urpay.com.au<br />
PRINTING / PACKAGING<br />
Platypus Print Packaging<br />
Ph 07 3352 0300<br />
platys.com.au<br />
SECURITY / CLEANING<br />
Best Security<br />
Ph: 07 3212 8460<br />
bestsecurity.net.au<br />
Command 51<br />
Ph: 0437 368 352<br />
command51.com.au<br />
CMBM Facility Services<br />
Ph: 07 3391 1040 /<br />
Ph: 0419 708 715<br />
cmbm.com.au<br />
Tanda<br />
Ph: 1300 859 117<br />
tanda.co<br />
BK Electronics<br />
Ph: 0431 509 409<br />
bkelectronics.com.au<br />
Cherry Hub Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0409 548 276<br />
cherryhub.com.au<br />
CTB & Co<br />
(Cooking the Books)<br />
Ph: 1300 911 282<br />
cookingthebooks.com<br />
Harris Data Systems<br />
Ph: 07 5535 7677<br />
harrisdata.com.au<br />
Hikvision <strong>Digital</strong> Technology<br />
Ph: 1300 976 305<br />
hikvision.com<br />
“HONESTLY THE<br />
BEST TRAINING<br />
SESSION! FUN AND<br />
LIGHT-HEARTED<br />
WHILE BEING VERY<br />
INFORMATIVE AND<br />
KNOWLEDGEABLE.<br />
THANKS, <strong>QHA</strong>.”<br />
OTHER COURSES OFFERED:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
P. <br />
E. <br />
W. <br />
Paramount Liquor<br />
Ph: 0429 448 523<br />
paramountliquor.com.au<br />
Your Mates Brewing Co.<br />
Ph: 07 5329 4733<br />
yourmatesbrewing.com<br />
4 Hearts Brewing Co.<br />
Ph: 0428 236 436<br />
4heartsbrewing.com<br />
MEDIA / MARKETING<br />
Daily Press<br />
Ph: 0412 224 969<br />
dailypress.com.au<br />
Horse & Water Creative<br />
Ph: 0401 345 201<br />
horseandwater.com.au<br />
POINT OF SALE /<br />
PAYMENTS<br />
CashZone<br />
Ph: 0466 148 752<br />
cashzoneatm.com.au<br />
H&L Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0407 975 411<br />
hlaustralia.com.au<br />
SwiftPOS<br />
Ph: 1800 679 701<br />
swiftpos.com.au<br />
Next Payments<br />
Ph: 0447 427 868<br />
nextpayments.com.au<br />
Banktech<br />
Ph: 1800 080 910<br />
banktech.com.au<br />
Bepoz Retail Solutions<br />
Ph: 1300 023 769<br />
bepoz.com.au<br />
Harris Data Systems<br />
Ph: 07 5535 7677<br />
harrisdata.com.au<br />
Future Business Technology<br />
Group<br />
Ph: 1300 706 155<br />
fgtgroup.com.au<br />
Hikvision <strong>Digital</strong> Technology<br />
Ph: 1300 976 305<br />
hikvision.com<br />
Lotus Commercial Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 1300 653 536<br />
lotusfilters.com.au<br />
Luxxe Outsourced Hotel<br />
Services<br />
Ph: 03 8761 9156<br />
luxxe.com.au<br />
Ozone Hospitality Services<br />
Ph: 1300 793 547<br />
ozonehospitalityservices.<br />
com.au<br />
Security Registers<br />
Ph: 0452 363 166<br />
securityregisters.com.au<br />
Tru Security Services<br />
Ph: 0452 377 662<br />
trusecurity.com.au<br />
SUPERANNUATION<br />
HOSTPLUS<br />
Ph: 1300 467 875<br />
hostplus.com.au<br />
TECHNOLOGICAL<br />
PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
Beyond Payments<br />
Ph: 1300 192 600<br />
beyondpayments.com.au<br />
BSV<br />
Ph: 1300 244 727<br />
bigscreenvideo.com.au<br />
Chewzie Table Ordering<br />
Ph: 1300 243 994<br />
chewzie.me<br />
Employment Hero Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0415 769 186<br />
employmenthero.com<br />
IDU Technologies Pty Ltd<br />
mitch@idu-identification.com<br />
idu-identification.com<br />
Jands<br />
Ph: 0408 506 620<br />
jands.com.au<br />
JB Hi-Fi Commercial<br />
Division<br />
Ph: 07 3360 9925<br />
jbhifi.com.au<br />
Mr Yum<br />
Ph: 0448 504 121<br />
mryum.com.au<br />
OpenTable<br />
(03) 4240 3297<br />
restaurant.opentable.com<br />
onPlatinum ICT<br />
Ph: 0402 281 561<br />
onplatinum.com.au<br />
Security Registers<br />
Ph: 0452 363 166<br />
securityregisters.com.au<br />
Smart Parking Limited<br />
Ph: 0421 155 972<br />
smartparking.com<br />
UrPay Technologies<br />
Ph: 0411 457 377<br />
urpay.com.au<br />
Vix Vizion Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 0413 026 918<br />
vixvizion.com<br />
Whats Doing App<br />
Ph: 0404 561 895<br />
whatsdoingapp.com<br />
TRANSPORT<br />
A.P. Eagers Limited<br />
Ph: 07 3109 6731<br />
apeagers.com.au<br />
Trinitas Australia Pty Ltd<br />
Ph: 1300 836 025<br />
trinitas3.com.au<br />
/ 66<br />
REVIEW
WE WISH ALL OF<br />
OUR FINALISTS<br />
THE BEST OF LUCK<br />
ON OUR NIGHT OF NIGHTS.<br />
Our sincere thanks as well to all of our corporate<br />
partners for their continued support.<br />
Monday 3rd <strong>June</strong> 2024<br />
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre,<br />
South Brisbane<br />
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For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au