QHA-Review_Sept_Digital

q u e e n s l a n d h o T E L S a s s o c i a t i o n 

s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 3 e d i t i o n 

Artistic flair 

MEET THE KEEPER OF BRISBANE’S BEST KEPT SECRETS 

FEATURE: 

THE MUCKA PUB 

FOCUS: 

HOTEL INDIGO 

WINE: 

HEY DIDDLE

COOPERS AUSTRALIAN 

LAGER. REFRESHING 

FROM FIRST DROP 

TO LAST.

2023 QHA Regional Board Meeting 

COMMUNITY’S BEATING HEART 

THE MOST 

SUCCESSFUL ARE 

NOT MERELY A 

“DRINKING HOLE” 

OR A “GAMBLING 

DEN”, THEY TRULY 

ARE THE BEATING 

HEART OF THEIR 

COMMUNITY. 

The September edition for our Review magazine always seems to fall due right after 

we have our QHA Regional Board Meeting. To ensure that at least one of our QHA 

Board Meetings convenes in a regional centre is a treasured tradition. We do it for two 

reasons. Firstly to support those areas of the state that are most in need and secondly 

to ensure that those members that sit around our Board table never lose sight of the 

different business environments across the state. 

After the meeting was held this year in Hervey Bay, it occurred to me that there was 

certainly one element of Queensland hotels that does hold true. The most successful 

are not merely a “drinking hole” or a “gambling den”, they are truly the beating heart of 

their community. This is not some throw-away line that we put in a marketing brochure. 

We see the member venues that excel at this. They work at it every day. The staff 

understand the importance of it and ensure they are on hand to look after patrons 

when they need it most. From daylight to dark, from the very littlest members of our 

community to those ordering a pensioners discounted dinner and through to the ones 

partying late into the night – our best members understand the responsibility of being 

their community’s hub. 

The Regional Board Meeting is also a good time for members to remind us here at the 

QHA what exactly we need to be working on. However, we cannot do it on our own 

and need your help. As we are entering the next round of elections, referendum and 

political discussions across the nation, I remind our members that their business will be 

there well after the next election cycle. 

This is another opportunity for us to be voice of the community. Remind candidates of 

the issues that matter in your area, remind them that beer excise continues to increase 

the cost of living, that power prices and insurance are crippling all businesses just like 

households. For without thriving hotels, pubs, resorts and hospitality businesses, the 

beating heart of many Queensland towns will still. We can never let the decision makers 

forget that, and I can assure you – nor will the QHA. 

BERNIE HOGAN 

QHA CHIEF EXECUTIVE/EDITOR 

QHA REVIEW | 3

FEATURE: 

THE MUCKA PUB 

q u e e n s l a n d h o T E L S a s s o c i a t i o n 


FOCUS: 

HOTEL INDIGO 

MEET THE KEEPER OF BRISBANE’S BEST KEPT SECRETS 

WINE: 

HEY DIDDLE 

o u r c o v e r : 

Artistic flair 

Hotel Indigo, 

Brisbane City 

Centre Hotel 

3 EDITOR’S LETTER 

5 CONTRIBUTORS 


QHA 

Level 14, 270 Adelaide Street 

Brisbane, Queensland 4000 

GPO Box 343 

Brisbane, Queensland 4001 

Phone: 07 3221 6999 

1800 177 594 

Fax: 07 3221 6649 

Web: www.qha.org.au 

Email: info@qha.org.au 

Office Hours 

8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday 

President 

Mr Richard Deery 

Senior Vice President 

Mr Matthew Coorey 

Vice Presidents 

Mr Brad Fitzgibbons 

Ms Mel Tait 

Mr Sam Ingham-Myers 

Secretary/Treasurer 

Ms Rachel Johnson 

Chief Executive and Editor 

Mr Bernie Hogan 

www.qha.org.au 

6 NEWS 

18 FEATURE 

THE MUCKA PUB 

28 INSIGHTS 

MATT NEWBERRY 

36 FOCUS 

HOTEL INDIGO 

42 ACCOMMODATION 

48 TOP DROP 

50 CRAFTY BUNCH 

COOPERS 

FELONS 

58 WINE 

HEY DIDDLE 

62 TRADE DIRECTORY 

64 PARTNERS & CORPORATE MEMBERS 

QHA REVIEW | 4 

QHA REVIEW is published by the Queensland 

Hotels Association ABN 54 878 166 941. 

All information is correct at time of going to press. 

The publishers cannot accept responsibility for 

errors in articles or advertisements, or unsolicited 

manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. 

The opinions and words of the authors do not 

necessarily represent those of the publisher. All 

rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is 

strictly prohibited without prior permission. 

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING 

For all editorial and advertising queries: 

Simon Cross 0413 698 630 

qhareview@qha.org.au

DAMIAN STEELE 

QHA Deputy Chief 

Executive 

A hospitality industry 

professional with over 

30 years’ experience 

in liquor, gaming and 

operations. Damian 

has a strong focus 

on compliance and 

legislation. 

THERESE KELLY 

QHA Training Manager 

An experienced VET 

sector professional, 

Therese manages 

the QHA Training 

department and is 

responsible for the 

development and 

delivery of quality training 

for QHA members and 

other hospitality venues. 

PAUL ST JOHN-WOOD 

QHA Membership 

Officer 

Paul is the face of the 

Association to many 

QHA members as he 

travels the length and 

breadth of the state 

visiting, advising and 

assisting publicans. 

CURT SCHATZ 

Managing Partner, 

Mullins 

With over 30 years’ 

experience in property, 

liquor and gaming law, 

Curt is recognised 

as a leader in this 

field. He advises pub, 

club, nightclub, 

restaurant, resort and 

accommodation venue 

owners and operators. 

THE HON YVETTE D’ATH 

Attorney-General 

and Minister for 

Justice and Minister 

for the Prevention of 

Domestic and Family 

Violence 

Yvette D’Ath is a 

Labor member of the 

Legislative Assembly 

of Queensland 

representing the seat of 

Redcliffe. 

VICTORIA THOMSON 

Commissioner for 

Office of Liquor and 

Gaming Regulation 

Queensland 

Victoria is responsible 

for the regulatory policy 

and strategic direction 

of product safety, 

licensing, compliance 

and enforcement 

activitiestoprotect market 

integrity and keep 

Queenslanders safe. 

SARAH SWAN 

Employment Relations 

Manager 

Sarah has a passion for 

employment relations and 

has diverse experience 

advising and assisting 

employees and employers. 

Sarah has particular interests 

in workers’ compensation 

matters, bullying and 

harassment matters and 

policy development. 

TOM FITZGERALD 

Accommodation 

Membership 

Services Officer 

Tom will act as 

your conduit to 

accommodation 

information and QHA 

services, and is an 

experienced professional 

who grew up living and 

working in the hospitality 

industry as part of a 

hotel-owning family. 


NEWS 

REGIONAL MEETING 

HERVEY BAY AND RAINBOW BEACH PROVIDED A 

PICTURESQUE BACKDROP TO THE ANNUAL REGIONAL 

BOARD MEETING AND STUDY TOUR WHICH TOOK 

PLACE FROM THE 31 AUGUST TO 2 SEPTEMBER. 


More than 50 hoteliers and QHA partners visited 

nine member venues across the region for the twoand-a-half-day 

experience on board the Coca-Cola 

Europacific Partners Coach of Courage. The meeting 

itself was held at the QHA Member venue Beach 

House Hotel and was well attended with both the 

Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of the Fraser Coast 

Regional Council attending, as well as many local 

members. 

The group was spoilt for choice with a delicious variety 

of food throughout the tour. On the first evening, 

QHA Board Member Darren Carter hosted the group 

for dinner at his venue, the Torquay Hotel. Member 

Ricky Modin hosted the group for dinner the following 

evening at member venue The Deck at Sea Salt. 

Bunnings generously supplied the infrastructure for an 

epic beach picnic set-up that provided the ultimate 

level of comfort for both whale-watching and viewing 

the sporting prowess displayed across the beach 

cricket set. 

Thank-you to Lion, CUB, Treasury Wine Estates, 

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Diageo and Accolade 

Wines for their support of the Regional Board Meeting 

and Study Tour and to all the members and partners 

who took the time out of their businesses to attend.

NEWS

NEWS 

HOWZAT! 


ANOTHER EXCITING, FUN FILLED DAY OF CRICKET WAS ENJOYED AT THE 2023 CAMPARI CUP. THIS YEAR SAW THE 

15TH RUNNING OF THE EVENT, WHICH WAS TAKEN OUT BY THE SOUTHERN STARS SCORE OF 273 VS THE NORTHERN 

KINGS SCORE OF 187. 

The day was filled with plenty of good banter, laughs, 

the usual player injuries (Stew Gibson pulled a calf and 

Brad ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgibbons broke a toe) and controversies, 

but the day is never complete without the famous Nick 

‘Gorks’ Gregorski coming off his 80-meter run up, only 

to bowl slower than it takes him to hobble in. 

There were some stand out performances, with a few 

industry stalwarts taking out the honours on the day, 

but with every feel-good story there were the stories of 

camaraderie and chaos, from several dropped catches 

to players colliding going for the same catch. 

The day wrapped up back at the Story Bridge Hotel 

where QHA President, Richard Deery, hosted a 

presentation and drinks. In true industry style, all 

publicans and Campari staff cheered on the Australian 

Woman’s Soccer team to victory and watched the 

Aussies battle it out with the Poms for The Ashes until 

the wee hours. 

All in all, the Campari Cup 2023 marked another 

cracking day with plenty of memories made and 

laughs had. Congratulations to both sides and we look 

forward to doing it all again in 2024. 

AWARD WINNERS 

Man of the Match – Scott Hogan 

Best Bowler – Lance Burrows 

Best Batsman – Andrew Bellchambers 

Turkey Award – Stew Gibson

NEWS 


NEWS 

GALLERY OF MODERN ART 

EVERY YEAR AUSTRALIA’S FIERCE LOVE OF CREATIVITY, QUIRKINESS AND CRAFT BEER BUBBLES TO THE SURFACE 

WITH THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GREAT AUSTRALASIAN BEER SPECTAPULAR CAN DESIGN AWARDS. 


What started as a simple can design contest hosted 

by the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) 

has become a phenomenon resulting in vibrant colours 

being painted across the entirety of the Australian craft 

beer industry. 

Not only has the event influenced independent craft 

businesses to have a more competitive focus on can 

design, brand identity and marketing, but it has helped 

propel Australian artists, designers and lesser-known 

breweries into the eyes of the wider public. 

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the GABS Can 

Design Awards presented by Orora, in partnership with 

Opal Specialty Packaging and Britani, promotes can 

design submissions from hundreds of craft breweries 

across Australia in a virtual gallery before a round of 

people’s choice voting. 

The top ten cans are then looked over by some of the 

country’s leading brand and packaging experts who 

evaluate each brewery on its penchant for creativity 

and how well its design reflects the beer’s taste and 

brand identity. 

This year’s winner will join the GABS Can Design 

Awards hall of fame alongside Little Bang’s Face 

Inverter, Stomping Ground’s Nectaron of the Gods and 

Cavalier’s Bloody Maria Imperial Gose Michelada. 

In anticipation of the winners being announced on 

September 8, we have compiled our top eight favourite 

designs (in no particular order) from the hundreds 

of brilliant GABS Can Design Award submissions. 

All it takes is a small scroll through the countless 

independent brewery entries on gabsfestival.com to 

see how Australia’s passion for craft beer truly remains 

alive, fun and thriving. 

COFFEE RUN STOUT 

Heaps Normal 

Maddison Holmes | New 

South Wales 

A perfect depiction of an 

early-morning coffee run. 

Made in collaboration with 

Floozy Coffee, this nonalcoholic 

coffee beer plays 

on the humour and fun of the 

Heaps Normal brand while 

representing the bustle of 

beachside living 

in Newcastle.

NEWS 

BUCKETTY’S TAWNY GROGMOUTH 

3.0 Bucketty’s Brewery 

Brentos Turner | New South 

Wales 

After scoring bronze in last year’s 

awards, Bucketty’s Brewery is 

back with the third iteration of 

their celebrated Tawny Grogmouth 

can design. In addition to using pleasant earthy tones 

the artwork is intended to inspire an appreciation for all 

of the wonderful native critters in Australia’s bushland. 

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Margaret 

River Brewhouse Jarrod Fuller, 

Zendoke | Western Australia 

In addition to being aesthetically 

pleasing, the art also works as a 

cheeky nod to the collaboration 

between two breweries that met 

side-by-side at a beer festival. 

Paying homage to a 1977 pop 

culture classic, the design strikes 

a balance between King Road’s 

farm vibe and Margaret River’s 

mystical feel. 

XPA Feral Brewing Co 

Dipesh Prasad, Hella Good 

Studios | Western Australia 

A powerful and wild yet 

approachable piece of art that 

compliments the brand’s bold, 

fierce and feral identity. The 

design of the can really does 

reflect its contents – a punchy, 

refreshing XPA made with frosty 

cryo hops. 

MECHAROO YUZU SOUR HAZY IPA 

Bright Brewery 

Clint Weaver, Pocket Beagles | 

Victoria 

In addition to a creative art style 

and colour scheme reminiscent of 

retro movie posters and tart, fruity 

flavours, this design also features 

a giant mechanical kangaroo (and 

her baby robot joey) wreaking 

havoc on a city Godzilla-style via 

intense blasts of citrus, so what 

more is there to say. 

GINGER BETTY’S ALCOHOLIC GINGER BEER 

Wilson Brewing Company 

Jarrod Fuller, Zendoke | 

Western Australia 

Synonymous with 80s surf 

and skate culture, this design 

captures playfulness and 

freedom on a warm, midsummer 

afternoon at sunset. 

This whimsical feeling pairs 

perfectly with the can’s 

contents – a ginger beer with 

a cheeky bit of spice and 

sweetness. 

COLOSSAL BREWING HEXTRA 

TERRESTRIAL HAZY EXTRA PALE 

ALE Pinnacle Drinks 

Robbie North, Creative 

Platform | New South Wales 

An out-of-this-world design that 

consistently blends in with the 

brand’s whimsical, psychedelic 

and cosmic identity. According to 

the artist, “the super buffed hop 

fairy spends his days pollinating 

the hop flowers to create a 

refreshingly hazy encounter of 

cosmic magnitude”. 

RED DEVIL RED RYE IPA 

Thorny Devil 

Western Australia | In- 

House Artist 

Not only does the art make 

the can look like some kind of 

dark, devilish creature, but the 

design also has a lot of cool 

layers – from the rhyming to 

the clever connections to the 

brand’s mascot to the organic 

eye pattern having a similar 

shape to a rye grain. 


NEWS 

A SMALL FORTUNE 

NO ONE QUITE DOES THE COST OF LIQUOR LIKE AUSTRALIA – ESPECIALLY AFTER THE COUNTRY’S ALCOHOL TAX 

SOARED PAST THE $100 PER LITRE MARK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY LAST MONTH. 

On 1 August, another unprecedented excise duty 

increase of 2.2 per cent left a staggering impact on 

brewers, distillers and winemakers that are already 

juggling cost-of-living pressures and a tightening in the 

market. 

In Australia, spirits, wine and beer are taxed per litre of 

alcohol present in the product rather than the volume 

of the entire beverage. The higher the alcohol content, 

the more tax is charged. 

This excise duty is increased twice a year in line with 

the consumer price index, with 2023’s economic 

climate bringing the alcohol tax from around $97.90 to 

$100.05 per litre. 

Chief executive of the QHA, Bernie Hogan, said twice 

a year for 35 years pubs and drinkers have copped a 

tax hike on draught beer. 

“This year, after our members have done the right thing 

throughout the pandemic and at a time when jobs and 

businesses hang in the balance, we ask that pubs and 

drinkers get a break. 

“Every beer poured in a glass through pubs creates 

local jobs, brings people together and enlivens 

communities. 

“A tax cut of 50 per cent to the current excise rate 

would reduce the price of a schooner by about 35 

cents, turning the tap on some much-needed relief for 

beer drinkers and pubs.” 

The government implemented the alcohol tax all the 

way back in 1901 for a number of reasons, but mostly 

to discourage excessive alcohol consumption. 

Due to being levied at the point of manufacturing 

and importation, the cost of the excise duty generally 

trickles down to consumers through higher retail 

prices, with a significant portion of all beer, spirit and 

wine purchases (depending on their alcohol content) 

always going towards the alcohol tax. 

Managing director at Diageo Australia, Angus 

McPherson, said the current state of the tax regime 

is becoming unbearable to both consumers and 

producers. 

“We know our loyal Bundy consumers love our 

product, but many of them don’t know that more than 

60 per cent of the money they already pay for a bottle 

of Bundaberg Rum UP goes straight to the taxman 

in Canberra, and that tax just keeps growing and 

growing,” he said. 

Australia now has the third-highest alcohol tax in the 

world behind Finland and Norway. This realisation 

has caused brewers, winemakers and distillers to 

collectively call for the ever-increasing excise duty 

to at least pause as the industry recovers from the 

pandemic and the current economic climate. 


NEWS 

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR FINANCES 

MARK ANYON FROM WARATAH DEBT CAPITAL TAKES US THROUGH HOW TO READ THE TEA LEAVES OF THE CURRENT 

ECONOMY, WHICH IS DIFFICULT AT BEST. 

The hotel industry since Covid-19 has shown resilience 

and buoyancy with asset sales in both volume and 

price point not seen since before the global financial 

crisis. Significant headwinds are, however, ever present 

and threatening lower earnings, higher expenses and 

increasing yields (capitalisation or cap rates). 

Cost of living is tempering consumer spending and 

expenses are rising from the higher cost of electricity, 

wages, insurance, alcohol excise, interest rates and 

greater prospects of future gaming reform. 

In addition, the amplified inflation not seen since 

1990 (currently circa 6.0% annual rate) lowers the 

purchasing power of all investors and eats away 

at earnings even further. The direct result of higher 

inflation is the increasing of interest rates. The indirect 

result is that purchasers require higher returns 

to counteract inflation which is resulting in fewer 

transactions and the gradual worsening of hotel yields. 

The main levers in our hotel valuations are maintainable 

earnings and capitalisation rates. With both levers at 

risk to the downside it is important to consider the 

impact of this with our lenders. Early engagement 

with your financiers is prudent in the current climate. A 

mere 1.0% increase in your hotel valuation cap rate will 

knock $1 million off your valuation ($1 million earnings 

before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization 

at 10% cap rate), meaning you’d need to generate 

a further $100k in profit to maintain your existing 

leverage ratios with your bank. 

Consider this along with the Reserve Bank of Australia 

increasing the cash rate by over 4.0% in the past 

12 months. The oversupply of cash in the economy 

from Covid-19 stimulus is still present and has kept 

the increase of cap rates modest relative to the large 

hikes in the cash rate. However, as the cash is spent, 

we anticipate the increases seen in the interest rate 

market to flow through to valuation cap rates as the 

market catches up. 

Fortunately, alternate structuring of finances is more 

commonplace than during the global financial crisis 

and more widely accepted with our major banks. 

Debt structuring must allow for surplus free cash flow 

over any debt commitments. This is paramount for 

hotels that require ongoing capital expenditure which, 

in turn, is critical to maintain or improve earnings as 

mentioned. 

Traditionally, lenders would tighten lending terms 

during times like these and perhaps even ask for 

aggressive amortisation of debt which kills free cash 

flow. No cash flow means no capital expenditure and 

by the time you’ve reduced your debt you’ve got lower 

patronage and lower maintainable earnings. 

Stretching beyond typical bank leverage ratios is 

possible via alternative lenders for renovations or 

additional acquisitions. Investing in your assets is even 

more important in the softer times than the buoyant 

times. 


Bernie Hogan, QHA 

chief executive, Michael 

Healy MP, Member for 

Cairns and Assistant 

Minister for Tourism 

Industry Development 

and Simon Strahan, 

DrinkWise CEO 

MODERATION, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DRINKWISE, QHA HAS TAKEN TO FAR NORTH AND CENTRAL QUEENSLAND TO LAUNCH 

THEIR DRINKWISE CAMPAIGN IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS, REMINDING QUEENSLANDERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE 

OF MODERATING THEIR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, BEING RESPECTFUL TOWARDS OTHERS AND KNOWING WHAT 

SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE. 


Of over 1000 QHA members situated across the state, 

61 members operate venues and detached bottle 

shops within the Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa regions. 

The QHA are aware of the social issues currently 

faced in these regions and rising concerns around the 

misuse of alcohol, and are committed to supporting 

its members and importantly, their communities, by 

ensuring best practices in Queensland venues are 

maintained. 

In lieu of this, The QHA have partnered with DrinkWise, 

an independent not-for-profit organisation who focus 

on promoting a healthier and safer drinking culture in 

Australia. Together, they are rolling out a campaign 

to help set expectations and encourage responsible 

behaviour among those drinking in licenced venues or 

purchasing alcohol from retailers. 

As part of this initiative, three events took place 

throughout May and July at the Dunwoody’s Hotel in 

Cairns, the Barkly Hotel in Mount Isa and the Seaview 

Hotel in Townsville, with each supporting the launch 

of the important educational resources DrinkWise has 

created in partnership with the QHA, including themed 

posters, coasters and digital assets in addition to 

moderation, mental health and support service social 

media messaging. 

Representing the importance of this partnership at the 

media launches were a line-up of experienced industry 

speakers, including CEO of DrinkWise, Simon Strahan, 

who started each event by addressing the key elements 

and purpose behind the initiative and how it delivers on 

the levels of consumer education and protection, venue 

safety and tourism duty of care. 

QHA’s CEO, Bernie Hogan, also spoke on the 

opportunity for the association to be proactive in terms 

of consumer welfare, health and safety, and said it is 

important that the QHA are helping to promote and 

encourage conversations about mental health, with pubs 

being integral to regional Queensland communities.

DUNWOODY’S HOTEL 

Simon Strahan, DrinkWise CEO, Danielle Slade, Mayor of Mount Isa, Robbie 

Katter MP, Member for Traeger and Bernie Hogan, QHA Chief Executive 

SEAVIEW HOTEL 

BARKLY HOTEL 

Simon Strahan, DrinkWise CEO, Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville, Bernie 

Hogan QHA Chief Executive and Hon. Scott Stewart, Member for Townsville 

and Minister for Resources 

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE QHA ARE HELPING TO 

PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT 

MENTAL HEALTH, WITH PUBS BEING INTEGRAL TO 

REGIONAL QUEENSLAND COMMUNITIES. 

Various community leaders and elected representatives 

including Michael Healy MP, Cairns Mayor Bob 

Manning, The Hon. Robbie Katter MP, Mount Isa 

Mayor Danielle Slade, The Hon. Scott Stewart MP, 

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill and President of Townsville 

Liquor Accords Arthur McMahon also participated in 

the launches to show their support of the campaign. 

The QHA is proud to partner with DrinkWise to support 

this moderation, respect and responsibility initiative as 

it helps the broader hospitality industry demonstrate 

how licensed venues are a place to socialise, have a 

meal, catch up with friends and family, have a great 

time, talk about local issues and support each other. 

QHA will enjoy continuing its engagement with 

members and community stakeholders to promote this 

initiative throughout Queensland. 

A 

precinct.

Bottlemart, Boondall - Sue’s 

Korner, the Full Moon Hotel 

on Bramble Bay 

Harry 

Brown, 

Eatons Hill 

Best Retail 

Liquor 

Outlet 2023 

Established in 1977, LMG is 

Australia’s largest membershipowned 

retail liquor group, proudly 

representing more than 1,400 

independent liquor stores. 

Along with a core focus on supporting their members 

to achieve retailing success, LMG helps venues 

enhance their retail stores, execute targeted and 

engaging marketing and promotional programs and 

continually invests in technology, data and insights 

to help members uncover retail growth opportunities. 

As a testament of this, below are two independent 

retailers who scored in this year’s QHA Awards for 

Excellence with the help of LMG, who provided the 

venues with the negotiating power, consumer brand 

expertise, professionalism and support to compete 

successfully in the off-premise retail marketplace. 

Bottlemart, 

Boondall - 

Sue’s Korner, 

the Full Moon 

Hotel on 

Bramble Bay 

Best Detached 

Bottle Shop, 

2022 and 

2023 

For more information on LMG’s store refresh program, please contact Shaun Landy, 

Queensland State Manager on 0436 002 418 or slandy@lmg.com.au

Harry Brown, Eatons Hill 

BOTTLEMART, BOONDALL - SUE’S 

KORNER, THE FULL MOON HOTEL ON 

BRAMBLE BAY 

Best Detached Bottle Shop, 2022 and 2023 

Full Moon Hotel Retail Manager, Scott Strathearn, 

said winning the QHA award for Best Detached Bottle 

Shop for the second year in a row is a wonderful 

acknowledgement of their team’s effort and their 

consistency in staffing and serving their customers. 

“The award recognises the promotions, range and 

customer service that continues to set us apart. We’re 

excited to keep offering a wide range of new and 

premium products, like craft beer along with amazing 

wines and spirits. 

“LMG is always there for its members and offers the 

category management support, data-focused insights, 

and instore merchandising and layout design that 

means we can offer the best customer experience. 

They are constantly developing digital solutions to drive 

engagement and they adapt to member needs and 

feedback with positive implementation of new initiatives. 

“Their advances in the digital space mean we’ve been 

able to expand our reach and the range available via the 

Bottlemart app and through click and collect and delivery 

services. It’s all part of how we can best communicate 

with and serve our shoppers and this award is testament 

to our team’s outstanding dedication,” he said. 

HARRY BROWN, EATONS HILL 

Best Retail Liquor Outlet 2023 

Director of the Comiskey Group, Rob Comiskey, said 

winning the QHA award for Best Retail Liquor Outlet is a 

fantastic recognition of their team’s dedication to giving 

their customers an unforgettable experience. 

“Customers are loving our modern marketplace style 

renovation which gives the feeling of a cellar door, 

inviting the customers to take their time and enjoy 

discovering Brisbane’s largest range of craft beer, along 

with champagne, red and white wines and spirits. They 

can also see a real distillery in action and taste a range 

of new products each week. 

“As anyone who’s visited the Sandstone Point Holiday 

Resort with its overwater villas, checked out our amazing 

new venue at Noosa, The Doonan, or visited any of 

our other venues will know, the Comiskey Group is all 

about creating unique moments. We’re thrilled to have 

the incredible support, insights and digital solutions that 

LMG provides to its members so we can keep delivering 

amazing customer experiences,” he said. 

www.lmg.com.au


FEATURE

FEATURE 

TO SAVE A TOWN 

SIX HOURS INLAND, AMID THE 

FARMLAND AND RED DIRT OF OUTBACK 

QUEENSLAND IN A QUAINT TOWN OF 

NINE HOUSES, THE MUCKA PUB THRIVES. 

Sometimes, it’s simply the spirit of 

Queensland’s publicans that reflect the very 

best of our state’s hospitality. This could not 

ring more true for The Mucka Pub – a beloved 

watering hole in outback Australia born 

from mateship and the burnt remains of The 

Muckadilla Hotel. 

Christy Coomber, owner of the pub alongside 

her husband Marty, said they were loyal 

patrons of the old pub before the heart and 

soul of their community was reduced to ashes 

in 2019. 

“The previous owners, John and Sue 

McIntosh, were unable to rebuild due to 

John’s poor health, so we bought the land and 

licence from them and started rebuilding what 

we thought would be a quiet little country pub 

in January 2020. 

“We opened our doors in September 2021 

and it’s been going gangbusters ever since. 

We had no expectation of the popularity of 

the pub – we just simply did not want our little 

town to die, as this happens so often when 

the local pub is no longer operating. 

“Our building was awarded the Queensland 

Master Builders Award for Retail Facilities up 

to $5 Million last year, and yes, we are now 

recipients of a QHA award as well!” she said. 

This year, at the 30th QHA Awards for 

Excellence, The Mucka Pub rightfully garnered 

the recognition it deserved after being rebuilt 

from the ground up. Not only did the venue 

score a finalist spot in the Front of House 

Employee of the Year General Division 

category, but also got to take home the award 

for Best Hotel Accommodation or Pub Style 

Accommodation. 


FEATURE 


When asked how she was feeling after her little country 

pub’s name was called on the night of the Awards 

Gala, Christy said she was both incredibly delighted 

and shocked – especially since she didn’t think 

anything of her entries at the time. 

“I actually wasn’t even sure which category to enter 

the pub and I was super busy at the time, so I just put 

in some very hasty entries, including one for our bar 

manager, Jaimi Turnbull, and didn’t think another thing 

of it. 

“When we were contacted to say Jaimi had been 

short listed as a finalist I was so proud. We had a great 

night. It was lovely to be frocked up and not smelling 

like stale beer for a change. 

“When the ‘Bup’ was announced as the winner I was 

gob smacked – how exciting! We’ve only been open 

for 20 months and entered twice, but we have already 

scored two finalists and one gong!” she said. 

While the QHA Awards for Excellence certainly helped 

to propel The Mucka Pub into the eyes of the wider 

hospitality industry, the venue had already made quite 

a name for itself after going viral in 2021. Shortly 

before its opening day, a prank resulted in a hilarious 

mistake in the building’s signage, giving the pub its 

iconic nickname – the ‘Bup’. 

Christy believes the pub has been embraced by 

many not just because of its quality services and 

accommodation, but because of the light-hearted vibe 

the ‘Bup’ gives off. 

“We’re lucky enough to have friendly and competent 

staff who make everyone feel welcome. Our little town 

is a gem, so that in itself creates a very welcoming 

atmosphere. Our pub has also been likened to a jewel 

in the desert which makes my heart swell. 

“In the middle of the dusty Warrego highway, we 

have beautiful bush gardens and luscious green lawn 

which always makes guests feel relaxed. I think the 

expectation of small country pubs is little old buildings 

with cramped accommodation, but we have created a 

beautiful space.

FEATURE 

“Of course we are new, and that makes a huge 

difference as well. However our cabins are all named 

after local farms, with the history of that particular farm 

featured in a leather-bound folder inside the cabin for 

guests to check out if they like,” she said. 

For a small venue, there is certainly a lot to look at 

when it comes to The Mucka Pub, with its unique and 

charming style being best described as a love letter 

“OUR PUB HAS ALSO BEEN LIKENED TO A 

JEWEL IN THE DESERT WHICH MAKES MY 

HEART SWELL” CHRISTY SAID. 

to the community of Muckadilla. In addition to photos, 

paintings and etchings of 100-year-old local landmarks 

and outback scenery, the pub also features materials 

from other properties in the area, such as sandstone 

steps from a mate’s farm down the road and panelling 

from an old shearing shed. 

Christy said they wanted to build a beautiful structure 

that would both withstand the endless changing of 

hospitality trends and represent the cherished history 

of their area. 

“We’ve always said that there’s no use building the 

coolest pub in Queensland if no one visits. For a town 

of 12 people, we are lucky enough to have a massive 

farming community who continue to support us with 

local meetings, parties and general catch-ups. 

“Our locals will always be our main focus, because 

without them there is no Muckadilla, let alone a Mucka 

Pub. Our community is amazing and so very kind to 

us – we have an especially huge following with our 

truckies, tradies and travellers. 

“We have plenty of people coming through to visit 

desert events in the winter months, so that is a muchneeded 

kick along. Come summer, our surrounding 

areas are taken over with Christmas parties as well, so 

we really do have the best of both worlds,” she said. 


FEATURE 

“OUR LOCALS WILL ALWAYS BE OUR MAIN 

FOCUS, BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM THERE IS NO 

MUCKADILLA, LET ALONE A MUCKA PUB. “ 

While The Mucka Pub continues to thrive and bask in 

its well-deserved attention, the owners have recently 

made the choice to put the venue up for sale after 

struggling to juggle the responsibilities of both the pub 

and their three farms. 

Christy said this decision was not a particularly hard 

one, as they have already done what they set out to 

do – get the heart and soul of their community up and 

running again to make sure their little country town of 

Muckadilla continues to stay on the map. 

“Marty and I are so very proud of the environment 

we’ve created here. Everyone thought we were mad 

spending this much money on a tiny pub in the middle 

of nowhere – but look at it now. 

“A lot of people are surprised to hear that the venue is 

for sale, but we have created an awesome business 

for someone with more ideas and energy to come in 

and take it to the next level. 

“We are just a couple of farmers with no hospitality 

experience, and despite Covid-19 and staffing issues, 

we have weathered the storms and came through with 

a business that is thriving,” she said.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL 

The Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP 

SETTING GOALS 

Queenslanders love sport and the demand for 

women’s sport across the country is rising. It was 

fantastic that Brisbane was one of the host cities for 

the FIFA Women’s World Cup recently and I’m looking 

forward to the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League 

matches in Brisbane and Mackay later this year. 

These sporting events provide a great opportunity for 

women and young girls to see their idols up close and 

personal, but as women’s sport gains popularity so 

does the expansion of sports betting in this area. 

This year, research conducted in Queensland about 

attitudes to sports betting found more than half of 

the surveyed young people aged 14 to 25 felt that 

wagering on sport is a part of Queensland’s culture. 

While women spend around half the amount that men 

do on gambling, the spend gap between males and 

females narrows substantially when looking at young 

male and female punters aged 18 to 25 years. 

In 2021, the Palaszczuk Government released a fouryear 

Gambling Harm Minimisation Plan for Queensland 

2021-25 that set out the shared plan of action for 

government, industry and community to reduce 

gambling-related harm in the state. 

To minimise gambling harm we all need to take a 

proactive approach and shift our focus towards 

preventing harm. This needs to include young people, 

with a focus on young women who are increasingly 

taking up sports betting. 

That’s why the Queensland Government has partnered 

with Queensland Cricket to raise awareness of the 

risks associated with sports betting among young 

people and to promote the free confidential support 

that’s available. 

Throughout the 2023-24 season, Brisbane Heat 

players will be reminding spectators and cricket fans 

that they don’t need to place a bet on the outcome to 

enjoy the game. They will not only be targeting their 

younger audience but also parents and encouraging 

them to have the conversation with their kids about 

the dangers of sports betting and wagering. 

If you or someone you know might need help with 

gambling, visit Gambling Help Queensland or ring 

1800 858 858, and start a conversation today. 

We all have a role to play in addressing this complex 

social issue. I look forward to seeing government, 

industry and community continue to work together on 

this important plan to reduce gambling-related harm in 

Queensland. 


Victoria Thomson OLGR 

RISKY BUSINESS 

Venues that have proactive and versatile venue 

controls in place experience fewer incidents in or 

around their venues. 

Venue controls are the policies, procedures and staff 

training practices that licensees use to manage control 

points in their venues to minimise risk and harm. When 

an incident occurs in or around a venue, the failure of 

venue controls are often a contributing factor. 

Examples of venue control points include: 

• staff training in a venue’s risk-assessed 

management plan 

• detecting minors in the venue and preventing 

minors from purchasing or consuming liquor 

• security 

• responsible service of alcohol 

• management of unduly intoxicated/disorderly 

patrons 

• noise, entertainment and amenity 

• entry and exits points throughout a venue. 

To support licensed venues, the Office of Liquor and 

Gaming Regulation (OLGR) is implementing a new 

program to help licensees prevent incidents from 

occurring, limit any adverse impact on amenity and 

ensure venues are safer for patrons and staff. 

Venue control meetings held between OLGR 

compliance officers and licensees are a key 

aspect of the Venue Controls Program. Prior to the 

meeting OLGR officers review the venue’s patron 

demographics, the venue’s license type or permit, how 

the venue operates, peak trading periods and other 

available information to determine which control points 

need to be prioritised. 

OLGR compliance officers work with licensees to 

review the venue’s controls and identify business 

practices that can be improved. Officers evaluate the 

venue’s current controls against industry best practice 

and work collaboratively with the licensee to develop a 

strategy that suits that individual venue. 

OLGR officer, Chris Castley, said the program is 

already proving to be a success. 

“During a recent venue control meeting, I worked with 

a licensee to improve their staff training controls. 

“We identified that not all crowd controllers were 

being inducted when they commenced employment. 

This meant some new crowd controllers didn’t know 

the licensee’s expectations around ID checking, the 

venue’s dress code and when and what information 

they should be communicating with staff if there was 

an issue. 

“We developed an induction checklist and record 

keeping process that managers must use when they 

are inducting new crowd controllers. 

“Developing proactive resources like this means all 

staff are consistently communicating and aware of the 

licensees’ expectations. This helps prevent incidents 

from occurring later down the track.” 

Venues suitable to participate in the Venue Controls 

Program will be contacted directly and I encourage all 

licensees who are contacted to participate. 

OLGR will be developing resources to support all 

businesses in better managing their risks. 

For further information about liquor and compliance 

visit: www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/hospitalitytourism-sport/liquor-gaming/liquor/compliance. 


LEGAL MATTERS with Curt Schatz 

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE TOBACCO AND 

OTHER SMOKING PRODUCTS ACT AFFECTING YOUR 

OBLIGATIONS FOR DOSAS 


The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products 

Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill) introduces notable 

changes to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products 

Act 1998 (the Act) in the regulation of tobacco and 

smoking products. The changes are focused primarily 

to address public health concerns associated with 

smoking, and some of these changes include the 

regulations for designated outdoor smoking areas 

(DOSA). DOSA have proven to be a subject of debate 

and scrutiny, particularly by stakeholders advocating 

for the health and well-being of the general public. 

The Bill introduces various changes including 

the extension of smoke-free areas. In particular it 

introduces a buffer zone near outdoor eating and 

drinking places, as well as changes to DOSAs, 

including alterations to the obligation of liquor licensees 

with DOSAs on their licensed premises. 

The Act and DOSA 

The Act currently allows a liquor licensee to designate 

a part of the outdoor area of their licensed premises as 

an area in which drinking and smoking is allowed. The 

licensee must post a diagram or other notice showing 

the boundaries of that area and can designate more 

than one outdoor area at the premises. 

Under the Act, the total area of the designated outdoor 

smoking area must: 

a) not be more than 50% of the whole licensed 

outdoor area of the licensed premises. For example, 

where your hotel premises has an outdoor area 

of 100m2 that is included as part of your licenced 

premises under your liquor licence, you cannot 

designate more than 50m2 of that outdoor area as 

a DOSA; and 

b) have buffers of a screen at least 2.1m high or 

with an area of 2m wide where customers are not 

permitted to eat, drink or smoke on its parameter 

where the DOSA is adjacent to other parts of the 

outdoor area accessible by customers. 

The licensee of a licensed premises with a DOSA must 

ensure that the following is not provided in the DOSA: 

a) food or drink being served 

b) food consumption 

c) entertainment 

d) gaming machines 

A licensee is also required to ensure that no person 

is allowed to smoke anywhere other than a DOSA in 

its licensed venue. In addition, a licensee must have 

a smoking management plan, display notice in or 

near the DOSA about the smoking management plan, 

make the plan available for perusal upon request and 

produce the plan for inspection. If the licensee does 

not comply with its obligations, penalties apply. 

Changes in the Bill 

Under the Bill, the following changes would apply: 

a) a licensee would need to ensure that buffers are at 

the perimeter of a DOSA wherever it is adjacent to 

other parts of the licensed premises (and not just 

when adjacent to outdoor areas of the premises); 

b) if the buffer to the DOSA is a door, it must stay 

closed while the DOSA is in use, unless customers 

or employees need to pass through; 

c) if the buffer to the DOSA is a window, it must stay 

closed whilst the DOSA is being used; 

d) there may not be a DOSA at the licensed venue 

if any part of the outdoor area is set aside as a 

smoking area under the new Section 26XA (which 

relates to a smoking area at outdoor eating or 

drinking places), however this new section does not 

apply to holders of a commercial hotel licence; and 

e) a licensee now has an obligation to ensure no 

children are in the DOSA, unless the child is merely 

walking through the DOSA. 

The Bill also introduces stricter requirements for 

tobacco product vending machines in licensed 

premises and introduces a licensing scheme for 

wholesale and retail sellers of smoking products. While 

the proposed amendments are yet to be enacted, it is 

important for licensees to be aware of the proposed 

changes and an opportunity to revisit their obligations 

in relation to DOSAs at their venues.


INSIGHTS

RELENTLESS 

WHOEVER SAID YOU CAN’T ADVANCE IN THE 

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS CLEARLY NEVER 

HEARD OF MATT NEWBERRY – THE MAN THAT 

WENT FROM WORKING IN ENTRY-LEVEL 

POSITIONS IN PUBS ACROSS THE WORLD TO 

OPERATING SOME OF THE BIGGEST FOOD, 

BEVERAGE AND BREWING COMPANIES IN THE 

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. 

Those who have paid much attention to the craft 

brewing industry over the last few years will know of 

Catchment Brewing – the company that managed to 

grow when the rest of the industry was brought to a 

stand-still. 

At a time when the pandemic was shutting down 

hospitality businesses left and right, a singular and 

determined craft brewery rapidly expanded to become 

one of the largest independent craft beer operations in 

Queensland. The venue that started this legacy was, 

of course, Catchment Brewing – an eclectic bar in 

Brisbane’s West End with a close tie to the history of 

beer making and a knack for adaptivity. 

One of the driving forces behind the brand’s 

continuous growth is Matt Newberry, the resourceful 

CEO of the company who, three years ago, didn’t 

know the first thing about how to brew beer. Matt said 

Catchment’s original, art-deco inspired venue started 

off like a majority of Aussie breweries – with a few 

friends and an idea. 

“150 Boundary Street is definitely our spiritual home 

where the first Catchment concept came together. 


INSIGHTS 


West End is Catchment’s heart and soul – our 

story, memorabilia and everything is all about this 

streetscape. Our beers are even named after famous 

roads here, like Vulture and Hoogley Street. 

“Our tanks are all on-site, and we’ve got about 6000 

litres worth of them out the back. Our pale ale is the 

original recipe from the first brewery in Brisbane – the 

Old West End Brewery. It remains our number one 

selling beer. 

“During Covid, we didn’t have any beer in cans, so 

when the doors were shut, we had to quickly switch 

out to a retail footprint. We were lucky enough to 

get our cans into bottle shops around Brisbane, 

and thankfully we’ve been able to continue that 

development,” he said. 

This quick conversion to cans allowed Catchment 

to initially distribute its beers to four local stores in 

West End before spreading to over 200 stores across 

Queensland. As the craft brewery started to take off, 

its small on-site brewing operation was unable to 

keep up with the high demand, so a bigger brewery 

was purchased. 

Catchment’s first of many acquisitions was Fortitude 

Brewing Co, a large and idyllic craft brewery in Mount 

Tambourine with a brewing capacity of around 60,000 

litres. This new venue was ten times bigger then West 

End’s and allowed the company to ramp up their 

beer production even further. While Catchment had 

originally bought Fortitude for more capacity, Matt said 

they started to fall in love with the brand as well. 

“Fortitude is one of the original craft brewing 

companies, and started from a bunch of school dads 

and overall good guys. From that, we also picked up 

Noisy Miner, which is a really cool experimental brand, 

in addition to Roots and Leaves, which is a pretty 

good ginger beer. 

“Recently we came across a Ballistic Brewing 

acquisition as well. We sort of helped them out of the 

administration process they were in, so we’re now a 

major shareholder in that business which comes with 

five venues. 

“Ballistic is really popular, it’s got a good Queensland 

following, a strong supporter base and a great growth 

story that just went a little too quickly for them. It 

brings us more brands and brewing capacity while also 

tripling our existing business from an availability point 

of view,” he said. 

Catchment has acquired six breweries since it was 

founded in 2015, and still shows no signs of slowing 

down. As part of its growth phase, the company is in 

the process of carefully distributing roles and costs 

through its many brewing operations so it can continue 

to expand in a sustainable way. 

As someone who has led the brand through many 

uncertain times, Matt said he has learnt to look forward 

to the future and believes that there’s no point harping 

on about what you can’t control. 

“Everyone’s been through a horrid time, but it’s how 

you come out of the other end that matters. We 

could have just shut the doors and said, ‘Bugger it, 

it’s too hard, I’ve got no customers and no money,’ 

but we persevered and came out of Covid a stronger 

business, which allowed us to have cash in the bank. 

“Now I’ve got six breweries to run, so it’s a pretty 

steep learning curve, but that’s the great thing about 

hospitality – the variety. I’ve worked in pubs, clubs, 

bars, resorts, casinos and breweries, and while they’re 

all different, they’re also all the same because of their 

focus on customers. 

“It was amazing when the doors first reopened at pubs 

and we saw how busy we were. It just shows you that 

people are the centre of any business. The more you 

look after your customers and your staff, the better you 

are going to be,” he said. 

Similar to many career paths in the hospitality industry, 

Matt worked in all sorts of weird and wonderful 

jobs before leading the Catchment brand to where 

it is today. After his first position at a pub in Port 

Macquarie, he took the first TAFE hospitality course 

that was offered in Australia. From there, Matt worked 

internationally, with his experiences ranging from 

cooking breakfast in the Greek islands to telling 

tourists where to see the pyramids in Egypt. 

When he came back to Australia, he worked at a 

resort in Kooralbyn before joining Conrad Jupiters 

Casino and working in one of the biggest food and 

beverage operations in the southern hemisphere. After 

running Ayers Rock Resort for two years, Matt said 

he was lured back to Queensland by the Coles Liquor 

Group, who were just starting their pubs journey. 

“After Coles, I got sick of working in corporate 

environments, so I went out on my own as a developer 

and teamed up with the Ray Group down at Salt 

Village. When that project was all finished and sold, 

they put me onto some developers based in Sydney 

who bought the old Sea Brae Hotel at Redcliffe and 

knocked it down. 

“For the next seven years we put 200 units on that 

site in addition to a big Caribbean-themed hotel and 

a conference centre. After selling that real estate, we 

sold the project, and then that was it. I retired for three 

years and did a bit of travelling and a lot of fishing. 

“It was then when I got a few phone calls from some 

mates who owned this little brewery in West End and 

weren’t too sure what to do with it. They needed my 

help, so I agreed to come on a short-term role, but I 

really started enjoying it.

INSIGHTS 


INSIGHTS 

“So we made a collective decision that if we’re going 

to do something, we’ll do it well. Through acquiring 

Darling and Co, Fortitude and Ballistic, and we’re 

now a $20 million business instead of a $1.5 million 

business,” he said. 

At a time where the hospitality venues are continuing 

to feel the pressure, Catchment’s relentless growth 

strategy serves as a reminder of the strength, 

innovation and adaptivity of Queensland’s independent 

businesses. While the industry is definitely looking 

forward to seeing what else Catchment has in store, 

for now, Matt said they will continue to focus on 

working with retailers, ranging and distribution. 

“We’ve got a bottle shop retail strategy coming up, 

and that’s going to support Queensland and Australian 

brewers, distillers and winemakers. We’re just going 

to keep it local and keep it interesting, which no one’s 

doing in the market. 

“We’re also playing around with how our brands fit 

together, as well as a whole bunch of other things. 

We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved and there’s a 

lot more to come, so we’re very excited,” he said. 


Listen to the complete interview and more 

on the Here’s Cheers podcast available at 

qha.org.au or your normal podcast apps: 

itunes 

spotify 

buzzsprout

INSIGHTS

TRAINING AND SAFETY RTO 30826 

with Therese Kelly 

ACCREDITED AND NON-ACCREDITED TRAINING – 

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? 


QHA is a Registered Training Organisation 

(RTO#30826) and delivers industry-oriented training to 

members and non-members. 

QHA Training has a number of accredited and 

non-accredited training courses available, with 

both courses being beneficial for increasing your 

professional resume as an employee or potential 

employee. 

Accredited courses 

The difference between accredited training and 

non-accredited training is that the completion of 

an accredited course means you are issued with a 

nationally recognised qualification. 

An accredited nationality recognised qualification is a 

course that is recognised and delivered to the same 

standard across Australia. Nationally recognised 

courses are vocational education and training (VET) 

accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority 

(ASQA). 

This provides employers with the guarantee that the 

qualification listed on your resume is quality assured 

and meets the training package requirements as listed 

on the training register on training.gov.au. 

An accredited qualification will be valuable (and 

recognised) nationally anywhere within Australia. 

In short, an accreditation is the formal confirmation 

that the course: 

• is nationally recognised and meets quality 

assurance and training package requirements 

• meets an established industry, enterprise, 

educational, legislative or community need 

• provides appropriate competency outcomes and a 

satisfactory basis for assessment 

• is aligned appropriately to the Australian Quality 

Framework (AQF) where it leads to a VET 

qualification 

Non-accredited courses 

A non-accredited course does not count towards 

a recognised qualification. Instead, non-accredited 

courses are specially designed to teach you relevant 

skills that will enable you to perform your job more 

effectively, typically in a shorter period of time. 

These non-accredited courses offer a range of benefits 

in helping you to achieve your personal and career 

goals, including the ability to: 

• build more in-depth skills and knowledge on top 

of what you may have already acquired through an 

accredited course 

• stay on top of industry advancements and adopt 

the latest skills to meet the growing demands of 

your field 

• create networking opportunities and connect with 

other professionals in your field 

• get greater career advancement prospects by 

building the skills needed to move into new 

positions that may be more fulfilling or give you 

more responsibilities 

Courses available through QHA 

Non-accredited training 

Responsible Management of Licensed Venues training 

Responsible Management of Licensed Venue training 

(RMLV) is mandatory for any personnel or employee 

who intends to work as a manager for a licensed 

venue. It covers the many responsibilities of a 

manager of a licensed venue according to Queensland 

legislation.

Therese Kelly 

TRAINING AND SAFETY RTO 30826 

Gaming Nominee Training 

A gaming nominee is an employee performing a 

managerial role at a gaming venue and is responsible 

for gaming activities. The Queensland Office of Liquor 

and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) requires all applicants 

for a gaming nominee licence to successfully complete 

the approved Gaming Nominee Training (GNT) course. 

Customer Liaison Officer 

A Customer Liaison Officer (CLO) should be available 

to assist patrons during your venue’s approved gaming 

hours. The nominated staff member requires the 

appropriate training and are responsible for providing 

information to a patron who may be experiencing 

problems with gambling. 

Developing Hotel Management Skills 

Developing Hotel Management Skills (DHMS) is run by 

Peter Hall, long-time hotelier and industry consultant, 

and provides participants with a greater understanding 

of their venue as a total business entity. This course 

is ideal for all levels of management, from supervisors 

with potential through to experienced managers and 

licensees. 

Cooking The Books 

Cooking The Books (CTB) is a one-day workshop 

focuses on food operation with regard to increasing 

revenue and profit margin. Facilitated by Andrew 

Briese, a well-known hospitality consultant and author 

of Cooking The Books, this workshop is ideal for food 

and beverage managers, venue managers, chefs, 

cooks, restaurant managers and related staff. 

Accredited training 

SITHFAB021 Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol 

All staff of licensed premises in Queensland who serve 

or supply alcohol must have a Responsible Service 

of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. You must complete RSA 

training within 30 days of starting employment. 

SITHGAM022 Provide Responsible Service of 

Gambling 

People who carry out gaming duties or gaming 

tasks within a licensed club or hotel must complete 

the Provide Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) 

training within three months of starting employment. 

These include: 

• an eligible licensee (an individual licensee who is 

at the licensed premises when it is open for the 

conduct of gaming) 

• a gaming nominee 

• any person performing gaming duties or tasks. 



FOCUS

FOCUS 

IDIOSYNCRATIC 

INSPIRED BY THE TRANSFORMATIVE 

STORIES, HIDDEN ARTISTIC FLAIR AND 

ECLECTIC CHARACTERS THAT HAVE SHAPED 

QUEENSLAND’S CAPITAL CITY, HOTEL INDIGO 

BRISBANE CITY CENTRE IS MORE THAN JUST 

YOUR AVERAGE ACCOMMODATION. 

No two cities are alike, and the creative minds 

behind the Hotel Indigo understand this better than 

anyone. Look a little closer at the eccentric decor of 

the venue and you may be able to connect the dots 

and experience the colourful tales that have shaped 

Brisbane into what it is today. 

Nestled in North Quay, the hotel is a newly 

redeveloped retreat that sets itself apart by expressing 

the multifaceted history of its neighbourhood through 

countless art and design features that each tell their 

own story. 

As the general manager of Cluster, Nathan Dean 

is responsible for overseeing the hotel operations 

of both Voco and Hotel Indigo, and describes the 

accommodation as a curated retreat made for guests 

to discover, indulge and imagine. 

“The hotel is peppered with hand-painted artworks, 

sculptures and suspended overhead installations 

which reflect the city’s bold beginnings. 

“This has led to the creation of 212 strikingly designed 

guest rooms that invite guests to wander, look deeper 

for clues and be immersed while discovering the 

unexpected nature of Brisbane’s untold stories,” he 

said. 

The hotel’s extravagance and unique focus on local 

art certainly speaks for itself, with a few of its quirky 

highlights being its six-metre-high red entry doors, a 

graffiti-covered Tuk Nook coffee cart and its signature 

restaurant, Izakaya Publico, which treats guests to 

authentic Japanese-style dishes alongside dramatic 

floor-to-ceiling murals. 


FOCUS 


In addition to sparking curiosity with the hundreds of 

creatives, explorers and business travellers that pass 

Turbot Street every day, the hotel’s creative approach 

to its accommodation has also garnered the attention 

of the wider Queensland hospitality industry at this 

year’s QHA Awards for Excellence. 

Shortly before coming away with two awards, including 

one for Best Superior Accommodation, Dean said 

the entire team had come into the awards night full of 

energy and high hopes. 

“Having made finalists across nine categories we 

were hopeful of taking home an award. You can only 

imagine how ecstatic we were when we took home 

two. 

“As a product, Hotel Indigo is stunning and full of 

design intrigue. Every corner, hallway and space has 

been thought out and has a story to tell relating back 

to what makes Brisbane such a special place, from 

local street artists to major installations. 

“What really brings this all to life is the team. We 

practice genuine service and there is nothing old 

school or stuffy about how we interact with our 

guests. The team are all about making genuine 

connections with our customers and sharing the 

amazing neighbourhood stories featured throughout 

the property,” he said. 

Given North Quay’s history, it only makes sense for 

Hotel Indigo to celebrate and uncover the little-known 

stories of Brisbane. The area is especially historically 

significant due to it being a landing point for the first 

European exploration of the Brisbane river in 1823. It 

was later in 1825 when the Moreton Bay penal colony 

at Redcliffe relocated to North Quay and established 

one of the first permanent European settlements – the 

state of Queensland. 

Fast forward 200 years and the Hotel Indigo has 

converted an old, rundown 1970’s skyscraper into a 

leading lifestyle city hotel exuding the colour, creativity 

and fun of Brisbane’s history. This redevelopment was 

a massive project, and rightfully earnt the hotel its 

second award in the 30th QHA Awards For Excellence 

– Best Redeveloped Hotel, Accommodation Division. 

Dean said what made this project really special was 

how each design point was carefully curated around 

telling neighbourhood stories – for example, the story 

behind the reception mural starring a snail in a bottle, 

also known as the “Paisley Snail”.

FOCUS 



FOCUS

FOCUS 

“This case involved Mrs May Donoghue drinking a 

bottle of ginger beer in a café in Paisley, Renfrewshire. 

Unknown to her or anybody else, a decomposed snail 

was in the bottle. She fell ill, and subsequently sued 

the ginger beer manufacturer, changing the laws we 

now abide by today for product and manufacturing 

safety standards. 

“There is also a story behind our ‘Sammy the Tiger’ 

mural. In 1888, Duncan Forbes was crossing Turbot 

Street in Brisbane’s CBD when he witnessed a 

shocking spectacle. According to the Telegraph 

newspaper, Forbes heard shrieking coming from 

Charles Higgins’ Great Menagerie of Wild Performing 

Animals. As he turned, he saw a man running through 

the gate, hotly pursued by a large Bengal tiger. 

“It is amazing to think that all of this happened in 

Brisbane. Our guests just love hearing about these 

unique moments in Brisbane’s history,” he said. 

Hotel Indigo not only celebrates the unusual stories 

and characters of its neighbourhood, but also cements 

itself as part of the community, offering guests the 

unique opportunity to delve deep into the inner- 

Brisbane neighbourhood with easy access to central 

business hubs and plenty of places to explore. 

Dean said they love getting involved with the 

neighbourhood, as it has always been an important 

part of developing their guest’s journey. 

“All of the artwork featured in the property has been 

commissioned by Brisbane artists. We work with the 

Brisbane City Council street art tours as well to help 

tell their stories. 

“We also love getting involved with major events in the 

city like Moulin Rouge by regularly updating offerings in 

our bar spaces and playing fun giveaway games at the 

front desk relevant to the event. 

“This is what Hotel Indigo is all about – connecting with 

what is happening in the neighbourhood and sharing 

that excitement with our guests,” he said.

ACCOMMODATION with Tom Fitzgerald 

SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION REVIEW 


The Queensland Government engaged the University 

of Queensland to conduct research into the current 

domestic housing affordability crisis with the resulting 

Short Term Accommodation Review publication 

released in August 2023. Potential causes of very low 

rental vacancy rates and rising rent levels include a 

lack of housing development, increased population 

growth, increased domestic migration, increased 

international immigration and the impact of short-term 

rentals on supply. 

From a tourism accommodation perspective, 

short-term rental accommodation poses some key 

challenges. 

Regulatory challenges 

• Attempts are underway to regulate short-term 

rentals as there have been compliance issues with 

zoning laws, safety standards and tax collection. 

This had led to growing calls for a system of 

national regulation. 

• A home can be transformed into tourist 

accommodation overnight, as opposed to the 

myriad of regulatory approvals and investment 

required to establish an accommodation hotel 

business. 

Housing affordability for employees 

• Short-term rentals attract a relatively higher 

premium, one that increases depending on 

location, for example, when a property is closer to 

a city centre or coastal location. Owners may find 

it more lucrative to rent on a short-term basis to 

tourists rather than on a long-term basis to locals, 

reducing the available housing stock for residents. 

• In some cases hotels are struggling to attract 

staff because they have nowhere to live, and this 

is exacerbated in some regional locations where 

businesses are operating on reduced hours 

because of the lack of permanent housing in 

the area. 

Taxes being proposed in various jurisdictions 

• Some local governments have proposed limits on 

the number of nights a property can be rented, 

increased licensing requirements and proposed 

taxes to be paid by these accommodation 

providers. 

• The Victorian State Government is proposing a 

new $5 levy on bookings for short-term rentals 

and hotels which is being called a bed tax to 

contribute to easing their rental housing issues. 

• NSW are looking at imposing a similar strategy 

with such levies to be reinvested into affordable 

housing. 

• Brisbane City Council announced in its recent 

budget that it would raise its rates surcharge on 

short-stay properties from 50 to 65 per cent. 

The Short Term Accommodation Review assessment 

involved conducting analysis of the impact of shortterm 

rentals like Airbnb and Stayz on Queensland’s 

housing affordability and availability. The summary of 

report findings included: 

• Dwelling supply has the greatest impact on rental 

affordability. 

• In the first quarter of 2023, there were 19,773 

active short-term rentals across Queensland. Of 

those, 11,193 were estimated to be used on a 

permanent basis. Two-thirds are located within 

the South East. 

• An increase of 10% in the total number of shortterm 

rental listings could lead to a contribution 

in the range of 0.2% to 0.5% towards rent price 

changes. 

• A 10% increase in the overall stock of dwellings 

could lead to a noteworthy decrease in rent 

prices, ranging from 1% to 2%. 

The report concluded that short-term rentals have a 

limited impact on rental affordability, and that dwelling 

stocks were a significant contributor to explaining 

rental price increases. The Queensland Government is 

looking to implement a register of all AirBnB, Stayz and 

short-term rentals. 

“A registration system could serve as a tool to support 

local governments monitoring activity and insights into 

the housing market over time, with evidence-based 

regulation,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. 

The QHA will continue to advocate on behalf of 

accommodation members for greater regulation of 

the short-term rental and ‘share economy’ business 

models. These properties don’t have to comply with 

the same building and safety regulations – they aren’t 

taxed in the same way and they are not policed 

or monitored as is the case with our members’ 

regulated accommodation businesses. Because of 

this, our hotel accommodation industry faces unfair 

competition, undermining hotel occupancy rates, jobs, 

training opportunities and taxation revenues to the 

Queensland government.

Damian Steele 

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT 

ONLINE LIQUOR SALES AND DELIVERY – 

MYTHS DEBUNKED 

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has 

sought stakeholder feedback on a draft regulatory 

framework for online alcohol sales in Queensland. 

The Proposed Regulatory Framework for Online 

Liquor Sale and Delivery Consultation paper outlines 

proposed measures to modernise the legislative 

framework to reflect contemporary business best 

practice and address the risk of harm from alcohol 

delivery, particularly addressing the potential supply of 

alcohol to minors and unduly intoxicated persons. 

The QHA has made a submission and supports the 

proposed scope of the framework being limited to the 

existing approved and licensed sellers of retail liquor 

under the Liquor Act 1992 (Qld). The QHA considers 

it critical to maintain this framework where the sellers 

of retail takeaway liquor are established licensees who 

have passed probity and are ‘fit and proper’ entities 

who are subject to audit and are underpinned by 

‘bricks and mortar’ liquor licensed businesses. 

The sale of takeaway liquor is ancillary to their primary 

purpose which acts as a strong compliance motivator 

as the venue’s livelihood is dependent on maintaining 

their liquor licence and therefore encourages 

responsible service and practices. To alter this would 

undermine the government’s policy of responsible 

alcohol management and harm minimisation. 

Retail Drinks Australia (RDA) has created a Code 

of Conduct (Code) to govern online sales and 

deliveries of alcohol in Australia. The QHA supports 

the objectives of the Code, and notes particularly the 

following: 

• same-day unattended alcohol deliveries are not 

permitted under any circumstances 

• same-day and non-same day attended deliveries 

are permitted, provided that the customer is over 

the age of 18 and is not intoxicated or disorderly, 

and is present in order to receive the delivery 

• age verification procedures are followed at the point 

of delivery (not point of sale) 

• we do not support any separate licence category or 

licensing of third party delivery operators. 

A report released by Frontier Economics and 

commissioned by RDA has dispelled misconceptions 

surrounding consumer behaviour in the Australian 

online liquor market. Based on nearly nine million 

transactions from retailers, marketplaces and delivery 

partners nationwide, the Online alcohol sales and 

delivery in Australia report provides insights into how 

consumers use online platforms to purchase liquor. 

The research reveals that consumers only use online 

purchase and delivery a few times a year and it is most 

used by people aged over 35. The 36 to 45 and 46 to 

55 year age groups are the most frequent users. The 

report also dispels the notion that online orders are 

made by heavily intoxicated individuals with a desire 

to continue consuming. Contrary to popular belief, 

most people place online orders around dinner time. 

The report also invalidates the claim that online delivery 

leads to easier underage access to alcohol. 

This is important work in the context of community 

concerns about the potential for online alcohol sales to 

increase access to alcohol, including the potential for 

consumption by under-age or intoxicated drinkers. The 

report data provides an accurate view of market sales 

over the 2021-22 financial year, indicating: 

• ready-to-drink spirits account for the smallest share 

of total delivered online sales, whether same day 

(11%) or non-same day (7%) 

• the vast majority of online alcohol sales (65%) are 

not purchased for delivery on the same day 

• customers order infrequently, with the average 

customer ordering just once or twice a year 

• same day alcohol deliveries are concentrated in the 

late afternoon/early evening hours (peaking at 6pm 

to 7pm), and this varies little by day of the week 

• there is little impact of time between order and 

delivery, and the delivery times of order, which goes 

against the idea that same day deliveries are used 

to extend drinking sessions 

• most online customers purchasing alcohol for 

delivery are aged 35 years and over 

• postcodes with higher shares of 16 to 17 year olds 

do not have higher online sales, which does not 

support the hypothesis that online alcohol sales 

increase accessibility for underage drinkers 

• delivery and industry compliance data indicates that 

checks are undertaken for age and intoxication and 

orders are refused on this basis 

Source acknowledgement: Online Alcohol Sales 

and Delivery in Australia, A Report for Retail Drinks 

Australia, June 2023 – Frontier Economics. 


EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS 

with Tana Thorpe 

GETTING THE REDUNDANCY 

PROCESS RIGHT 


Redundancies can be costly if the employer gets the 

process wrong, as it can lead to legal claims, such 

as unfair dismissal applications or general protection 

claims. To minimise such risks, employers need to be 

aware of the three elements of a genuine redundancy. 

Genuine redundancy 

The Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) states that a 

dismissal is a case of genuine redundancy when: 

1. The employer no longer requires the person’s job 

to be performed by anyone because of changes 

in the operational requirements of the employer’s 

enterprise. 

2. The employer has complied with any obligation 

imposed by an applicable modern award or 

enterprise agreement to consult about the 

redundancy. 

3. It would not have been reasonable in the 

circumstances to redeploy the affected employee 

within the employer’s enterprise or the enterprise 

of an associated entity of the employer. 

When an employer can show that the above criteria 

has been met, an employee will likely be unsuccessful 

in an unfair dismissal claim under the Act. 

Is the job no longer required to be performed by 

anyone? 

In some situations, employers may find it easier to 

make an underperforming employee redundant instead 

of going through a performance improvement process, 

passing that employee’s duties to another employee or 

replacing the employee with a new recruit. 

In such a situation, which has been dealt with by 

the Fair Work Commission 1 , it will not be a genuine 

redundancy because the job was still required to 

be performed. 

Yet, it has also been found by the Fair Work 

Commission that an employee may still be genuinely 

made redundant when there are aspects of the 

employee’s duties still being performed by other 

employees. The question employers must consider is 

whether the previous job survived the restructure or 

downsizing, rather than question whether the duties 

survived in some form 2 . 

Below are some case examples where it was found to 

be genuine redundancy: 

1. The employers closed one of its two plants, 

making only one person redundant. It was found 

that while some of the employee’s duties still 

existed, the job was no longer required 3 . 

2. The employer reduced its number of supervisors 

from four to three. It was held that it can still be a 

genuine redundancy if the duties of the redundant 

job are still required to be performed, but are 

redistributed to other positions 4 . 

Have the consultation obligations been met? 

Consultation is the next element in the redundancy 

process. Consultation requires a genuine opportunity 

for the employee to influence the outcome of the 

change being proposed by the employer before a final 

or irreversible decision is made. 

Modern awards and enterprise agreements set out an 

employer’s consultation obligations where there is a 

major workplace change being considered. For most 

readers, the applicable modern award is the Hospitality 

Industry (General) Award 2020 and the consultation 

obligations are set out at clause 38. 

If a modern award or enterprise agreement does 

not apply, then there is no legislative requirement 

to consult. However, we recommend that it is best

Tana Thorpe EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS 

practice to consult with affected workers. 

Below are some case examples where it was found 

the consultation requirement was not met: 

1. The employer issued a notice advising employees 

of a reduction in available work, therefore staff 

numbers needed to be reduced. It was found 

that the notice did not constitute adequate 

consultation. 

2. The employer informed an employee that the 

warehouse she worked in would be closing. It 

was found that even if the conversation occurred, 

the employer did not inform the employee that her 

role would no longer exist. 

Was it reasonable to redeploy the employee in 

the circumstances? 

The final element involves the employer considering 

whether the employee can be redeployed into another 

position within the business or an associated entity. 

In many cases heard by the Fair Work Commission, 

employers have failed to adequately meet this final 

element, resulting in a finding that the employee was 

unfairly dismissed as the employer did not meet the 

genuine redundancy criteria. 

The other position must be suitable in the sense that 

the employee should have the skills and competence 

required to perform it to the required standard, either 

immediately or within a reasonable period of retraining. 

It should not be assumed that the employee will 

refuse a particular role based on one or more of its 

features. It is vital to offer the employee any available 

opportunities, even those of lower pay or status, for 

the employee’s consideration prior to a decision to 

make them redundant. 

In the recent case of Khliustova v Isoten Pty Ltd 

[2013] FWC 658, the employee was found to be 

unfairly dismissed because the employer did not offer 

the employee a position within an associated entity 

in India. In this case, the employer had incorrectly 

assumed that because the role was lesser paid and 

overseas, the employee would not be interested. 

Lessons for employers 

While the redundancy process under the Act can 

sometimes seem straight forward, we do recommend 

seeking advice from the Employment Relations 

Department. The redundancy process does have its 

nuances, and we can assist you navigate these to 

reduce the risk of an unfair dismissal claim being filed. 

Contact us via email at er@qha.org.au or by phone on 

(07) 3221 6999. 

1 Rosenfeld v United Petroleum Pty Ltd T/A United Petroleum [2012] FWA 2445 

2 Kekeris v A. Hartrodt Australia Pty Ltd T/A a.hartrodt [2010] FWA 674 (Hamberger SDP, 19 February 2010) at para. 27 

3 Solari v RLA Polymers Pty Ltd [2010] FWA 5676 

4 Kekeris v A. Hartrodt Australia Pty Ltd T/A a.hartrodt [2010] FWA 674 (Hamberger SDP, 19 February 2010) at para. 27 


SUPERANNUATION 

FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR 

YOUR EMPLOYEES 

The right financial advice can help set your staff up for 

a future full of positivity. Here’s how Hostplus financial 

advisers can help them. 

When’s a good time to get financial advice? 

It’s never too early to start planning for a secure 

financial future. But we think there are some key 

life milestones where getting expert and informed 

advice could make a big difference to our members’ 

retirement. 

Beginning work 

If it’s a staff member’s first job or a new job, we’d 

encourage them to reach out to us. We can help with 

opening a super fund account, and also with ways 

they could build up their balance. 

This is a time in their life when they also might start 

to consider their insurance needs. People don’t often 

think about insurance until they need to make a 

claim, so it’s a good idea to be on the front foot with 

insurance and get the right advice. 

Starting a family 

This is another important time when financial decisions 

may need to be made. It can feel overwhelming, 

but we can help there too. We can discuss with 

your employees ways to maximise government cocontributions. 

We can also help explain what happens 

to their super while on parental leave. 

Retirement planning 

When your staff begin retirement planning, they can 

benefit from advice on ways to build a healthy nest 

egg. We can help with the maths and work out how 

much they’ll need in retirement. 

Sometimes members need assistance from our 

advisers when they want to make a lump sum 

payment into super. This could be funds from an 

inheritance or from the sale of a property. We’re also 

experts at establishing tax-effective retirement income 

streams for members. 

Easing into retirement 

For those who don’t want to retire permanently from 

the workforce, our financial advisers can help them 

ease into retirement with a transition to retirement 

strategy (TTR). Transitioning to retirement is also the 

right time for your staff to do a health check on their 

super and review how things are tracking. They might 

also want to learn how to maximise government 

benefits or get help with aged care options, perhaps 

for their parents. This is also a good time to seek 

financial advice. 

Hostplus offers financial advice online, over the 

phone and face-to-face. 

An effective way to take the first step is using 

SuperAdviser, our easy-to-use online advice tool. For 

others, a phone call can help members understand 

what’s right for them and what’s possible when it 

comes to their super. So, we offer phone-based super 

advice. This is limited advice relating to a member’s 

Hostplus account. It covers topics like contributions, 

insurance and investment options. 

Others prefer face-to-face financial planning, and we 

offer that too. Your staff can get comprehensive advice 

from qualified financial planners. They’ll be able to 

decide and pay for the advice they want. 

Whatever option your staff choose or whatever life 

stage they’re at, we’re here to help. That’s a plus. 


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 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.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.com.au. 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 68 657 495 890 198. 

Hostplus has engaged Industry Fund Services Limited (IFS) ABN 54 007 016 195, AFSL 232514 to facilitate the provision of personal financial advice to members of Hostplus. Advice is provided by financial planners who are Authorised Representatives of 

IFS. Fees may apply for personal financial advice; for further information about the cost of personal advice, you can speak with your financial planner or visit our website www.hostplus.com.au. Information to help you decide whether you want to use personal 

financial advice services being offered is set out in the relevant IFS Financial Services Guide, a copy of which is available from your financial planner. Hostplus has engaged Link Advice Pty Ltd ABN 36 105 811 836, ASFL 258145 to facilitate the provision of 

limited personal financial advice to members of Hostplus via the web-based product SuperAdviser.

Women 

in Hotels 

19 October 2023 

The W Hotel, Brisbane 

12pm until 4pm 

This exclusive hotel industry event is an excellent opportunity 

to network with hotel industry members and friends. 

Purchase tickets via credit card 

at qha.org.au or to request an 

invoice email rsvp@qha.org.au 

or phone 07 3221 6999 

Members $175 inc GST 

Non-Members $195 inc GST 

Tables of 10 available

TOP DROP 

NIMBUS SESSION ALE 

Brisbane Brewing Co 

PACER 

Fortitude Brewing Co. 

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE 

SAVED FRUIT SALAD IPA 

MoonDog Craft Brewery 

SCOOTER 

AMERICAN RED ALE 

Slipstream Brewing 

Company 


It’s nothing short of 

incredible that this beer 

is 2% abv with the way 

it tastes. You wouldn’t 

even believe it was a 

mid-strength at 3.5% if 

someone said so, it is 

that packed full of flavour. 

You would swear it is a 

full-strength beer. Nice 

resinous pine and apricot 

taste with a touch of 

citrus bitterness and as 

cloudy as hell. How many 

of these can you have an 

hour? 

A nice mid-strength, 

relatively clear light ale 

with hints of citrus, 

passionfruit and a mild 

dry bitter finish. Very 

sessionable and worthy of 

its popular status. 

True to form this fruit 

salad IPA is bursting with 

flavours of watermelon, 

strawberries, nectarines 

and apricots with an ever 

so light bit of bitterness. It 

is like a fruit tingle but not 

as sweet. Very enjoyable. 

Very smooth with notes of 

orange and pine and a dry 

mike bitter finish. An easy 

drinking, sessionable and 

enjoyable red ale from the 

ever-reliable Slipstream.

TOP DROP 

HOPPED GINGER BEER 

Roots and Leaves 

DARK LAGER 

4 Pines Brewing 

Company 

THE BAY WEST COAST IPA 

Scarborough Harbour 

Brewing Co. 

AFTERGLOW IPA 

Alefarm Brewing 

This is for those who 

prefer their ginger beer 

more on the fruity and 

sweet side as opposed to 

a really strong hit of ginger 

spice. There’s a lovely 

aroma and taste of fresh 

ginger and it is certainly 

easy to drink. 

Strong coffee and dark 

chocolate notes to the fore 

yet clean and crisp. It’s 

like the perfect blend of 

winter and summer - thirst 

quenching and light, yet 

moody and bold. It won’t 

weigh you down and have 

you seeking a blanket to 

pass out in front of an 

open fire like some stouts 

do. Rather, it will leave you 

wanting more, ready to go 

explore the dark side. 

Dry and bitter, it’s an 

absolute beautiful 

rendition of a West 

Coast IPA. Nice mild hop 

flavour throughout gives 

it great character and 

those beautiful notes of 

grapefruit. Class act. 

Two editions back I 

reviewed the DayGlow 

IPA by Alefarm Brewing 

from all the way across 

the globe in Denmark. 

While nice, it lacked a bit 

of the expected punch. 

The AfterGlow was way 

more my style. Bitter 

but balanced, tastes of 

pineapple, mango, peach, 

pine and grapefruit dance 

on your tastebuds amid a 

creamy mouthfeel. It hid 

the hefty alcohol well and 

as a result I was definitely 

basking in the afterglow 

following a big can of this. 


A CRAFTY BUNCH 

COMING UP 

COOPERS 

IN WHAT IS ANTICIPATED TO BE ONE OF THE 

MOST EXCITING RELEASES IN THE BREWERY’S 

162-YEAR HISTORY, COOPERS’ NEW 

AUSTRALIAN LAGER WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS 

STYLE TO HERO THE ICONIC COOPERS ROUNDEL. 


While most people know the brewery for their awardwinning 

ales and stouts, Coopers has been making 

lagers since the 1960s. Now, as an addition to the 

brand’s existing lager range, this release signifies a 

greater push by the brewery into the highly popular 

brew category, which represents more than 80% of 

total beer sales in Australia. 

A recent trend that has come out of the beer industry 

reflects that the average beer drinker now consumes 

multiple brew styles every month. In fact, almost half 

of these Australians are now consuming both ales and 

lagers – a market trend that Coopers is meeting headon 

with its new Australian Lager release (IRI MAT TO 

5/02/22 and TRA Brand Research 2022). 

After a few years in the making, the easy-drinking 

beer is a modern take on an Australian lager, with 

flavoursome and contemporary stone fruit and citrus 

aromas and a dash of late hopping which adds 

subtle tropical notes. Additionally, the brew’s slow 

fermentation uses traditional lager yeast which creates 

delicate floral notes on the palate. 

Sporting its refreshing new turquoise-colored cans, the 

beer has a bright golden hue, pours clean and clear 

and is now available in 375mL cans and 50L kegs. 

The Australian Lager isn’t the only update on the 

brand’s radar, however, with the new look for Coopers’ 

2023 Vintage Ale also being revealed this July. This 

new packaging is seen to reflect the brewery’s brand 

design ahead of the seasonal ale’s 2023 release, and 

features elements that suit the beer’s position in the 

premium craft beer category. 

This batch marks the 23rd in a series of Vintage Ales 

that commenced all the way back in 1998. Each year, 

the Coopers brewing team create a unique craft style 

beer characterised by its hop selection and highly 

anticipated by beer lovers around the country. 

Managing director and chief brewer at 

Coopers, Dr Tim Cooper, said the 2023 

Vintage Ale continues the brewery’s 

tradition of producing highly popular annual 

seasonal releases. 

“Australian drinkers have a real thirst for 

seasonal brews, and we expect loyal 

Coopers drinkers will be exceptionally 

pleased with this year’s Vintage Ale 

release. As a rich, balanced and fullbodied 

ale, the 2023 Vintage drinks well 

immediately, and if stored under cellar 

conditions will evolve and develop to 

become more complex over time. 

“The flavour hero of the 2023 

Vintage is Talus, a dual-purpose 

American hop that delivers bold 

aromas of citrus and berries with 

grapefruit, stone fruit, coconut and 

pine on the palate. 

“The long heritage of Coopers 

Brewery’s Vintage Ales has 

generated a legion of fans across 

the country, and we know they will 

be eager to taste this latest batch,” 

he said. 

The Coopers 2023 Vintage Ale 

is available now. As with every 

Coopers Vintage release, only 

a limited number of kegs and 

cartons are available, so people are 

encouraged to get in early to ensure 

they don’t miss out.





FLAVOURED BY MUSIC 

IN A CELEBRATION OF COLOURFUL FLAVOUR COMBINATIONS, CREATIVITY AND 

CENTURIES-OLD BREWING TECHNIQUES, FELONS BREWING CO IS CONTINUING TO 

LAUNCH ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL RANGE OF BARREL AGED BEERS.


After brewing away in oak barrels for two years among 

the bustle and blaring live music of Felons Barrel Hall, 

the brewery under the Story Bridge is adding more 

to its celebrated collection of unique blends – Land 

at Last (French saison), Wild Cherry (sour golden 

ale), Red Sky At Night (sour red ale) and The Depths 

(imperial stout). 

The original highly-anticipated release on March 

16th was a chance for Felons Brewing to express 

its creative side while redefining the boundaries of 

craft beer. By experimenting with oak and creation 

processes usually seen in fine wine making, the 

brewery has been able to bring forth some new and 

quirky flavours not typically seen in beer. 

Brand director at Felons Brewing, Dean Romeo, 

said producing these barrel aged beers out of their 

riverfront brewery allows them to bring something fresh 

and exciting to the Australian beer market. 

“These beers have taken up to two years to mature 

and become a finished product – they are not regular 

beers as you know them. 

“I find the flavours reflect the modern taste identity 

of Brisbane and that gets us all very excited here at 

Felons Brewing. 

“We’re very passionate about adding to the vibrancy 

of Brisbane – we’re a proud sponsor of the Brisbane 

Festival which plays an integral role in the cultural 

identity of our city,” he said. 

The project has, undoubtedly, been spurred on by a 

love of all things creative, with musicians and artist 

alike leaving their mark on every release. In addition to 

being conditioned for over 496 nights with live music 

reverberating against the barrels, the brewery invited 

over 40 local artists to create unique artworks on each 

of the oak barrels while the beer was still taking shape. 

To further tie their project to the creativity and music of 

Brisbane’s craft brewing scene, the brand also created 

Spotify playlists reflecting the spirit and flavour of each 

beer, with each genre ranging from Land At Last’s 

psychedelic and Wild Cherry’s rock and roll to Red Sky 

At Night’s post punk and The Depths’ deep electronic. 

Brewery director at Felons Brewing, Tom Champion, 

said the Barrel Hall project has been an exciting 

opportunity for the team to explore a rabbit hole of 

creative possibilities in beer through the introduction of 

quality oak, bold sounds and a whole lot of patience. 

“Using a blend of barrels from a variety of previous 

lives has given us the ability to create some beers that 

explore some truly extraordinary flavour territories. 

“From fine Australian Chardonnay barrels out of Curly 

Flat, to Australia’s highly awarded Starward whisky – 

these beers are truly one of a kind,” he said. 

With only 300 bottles of each produced, the first batch 

of the brewery’s patiently crafted beers didn’t last long 

and sold out within eight weeks. Now, the brand is 

currently working on their second release, which is 

planned to drop later this year. 

This also comes as Felon’s Brewing commemorates 

its fifth birthday in November. After being founded by 

some locals and a collection of passionate people in 

2018, the bar and brewery has become the central 

hub of food, music and drinks in the Brisbane 

community, and will no doubt have plenty of exciting 

events planned in the coming months. 


A CRAFTY 

BUNCH 

W H Y N O T S T O C K & S U P P O R T 

4 Hearts Brewing 

The first brewery to open its doors in 

Ipswich in over 100 years, 4 Hearts’ 

brew masters are committed to 

premium local ingredients and 

profound taste. Preservative free and 

all natural they use the highest quality 

ingredients to consistently deliver a 

tasty beer every brew. Our core range 

features modern spins on traditional 

brews while our ever growing range 

of seasonal beers takes things to 

more adventurous levels, utilising 

local seasonal produce as inspiration 

(honey, rosella or carrots anyone…?). 

0439 439 710 

4heartsbrewing.com 

Ballistic Beer Co. 

At Ballistic we have a simple theory. 

Fresh beer is the best beer. That’s 

why we brew in small batches, more 

frequently, and store it cold so you get 

the same blast of flavour our brewers 

do. Our pale ales, lagers, IPAs, sours 

and special releases will blow away 

the traditional ideas and expectations 

of what beer should be. 

Set in an old World War II 

ammunitions factory in the historic, 

industrial suburb of Salisbury, Ballistic 

HQ is home to a team of innovative 

brewers who believe everyone should 

have the chance to enjoy a well 

crafted, quality beer. 

(07) 3277 6656 

ballisticbeer.com 

Helios Brewing Company 

Helios is the sun god of Greek myths. 

Each morning the rising sun marks 

Helios’ crossing over into the mortal 

world, driving a chariot drawn by wild 

horses that only he can control. Helios 

Brewing Company harnesses the 

sun’s power to sustainably create craft 

beer. Our brewing infrastructure has 

been custom-designed to maximise 

energy and water efficiency, minimize 

waste and our carbon-footprint 

while capitalising upon Queensland’s 

renewable natural resources. We brew 

beers that are malt-forward, balanced, 

and intense using only the best 

ingredients, impeccable techniques 

and sustainable practices. 

(07) 3392 9739 

heliosbrewing.com.au 


Slipstream Brewing 

Slipstream Brewing is an 

independently owned brewery based 

in Brisbane. We are a small but 

passionate team producing some of 

the most accessible and sessionable 

craft beers in Australia. We’re the 

missing gap between bland beer and 

wanky beer, our beers hit the bullseye, 

brewed with nothing but pure flavour 

in mind. Hops are the heroes and 

we milk them for all their worth. We 

love the freshness, juiciness, the zing 

and the zest. One sip, it tastes so 

good – capture that feeling and fill the 

fridge with it. Beer is the last thing you 

should settle on, so come and get 

caught in Slipstream. 

(07) 3892 4582 

slipstreambrewing.com.au 

Burleigh Brewing Co 

Founded in 2006 by Peta and Brennan 

Fielding, Burleigh Brewing was one of 

the first independent craft breweries in 

QLD. Now celebrating 15 years of the 

brand, Burleigh Brewing has upgraded 

their Taphouse in Burleigh Heads, won 

countless awards for both business 

and beer (a testament to their shared 

and individual strengths), grown to a 

team of 70, and in their own humble, 

hard-working way, helped transform 

the Gold Coast’s craft brewing scene 

into one of the most vibrant and 

thriving in the country. 

(07) 5593 6000 

burleighbrewing.com.au

Q U E E N S L A N D L O C A L S 

A CRAFTY 

BUNCH 

Your Mates 

Your Mates isn’t just a brand, it’s 

a lifestyle. Drinking good beer with 

good mates and having a bloody 

good time. We believe these simple 

pleasures are much sweeter with a 

good beer in hand. Mateship is our 

founding principle, it’s why we exist 

and encompasses everything we do. 

Our beers are represented by a few 

legendary characters we’ve all met 

in our lives, with distinct personalities 

matching their flavour styles. Our vision 

is to inspire mateship through great 

beers, and our mission is to build an 

inclusive beer community at our brewery 

on the Sunshine Coast, our beautiful 

backyard in Queensland and beyond! 

0456 492 889 

yourmatesbrewing.com 

Felons Brewing Co 

Founded by Brisbane locals, Felons 

Brewing Co. is a modern-day brewery 

proudly positioned on the banks of the 

Brisbane River. Our brewery is nestled 

down under the Story Bridge, within 

Howard Smith Wharves. We truly 

believe that beer is what binds us all 

to this great part of the world and as 

proud brewers, we believe in brewing 

with passion and freedom. 

07 3188 9090 

felonsbrewingco.com.au 

Fortitude Brewing Co 

Fortitude Brewing Co delivers you 15 

taps of fresh beer locally produced 

in our Tamborine Mountain Brewery. 

Enjoy a day trip up the mountain and 

visit our team for the best fresh pizza 

and tasting paddles. 

07 5545 4273 

fortitudebrewing.com.au

W H Y N O T S T O C K & S U P P O R T 

A CRAFTY 

BUNCH 

The Catchment Brewing Co 

Brisbane Brewing Co. 

Catchment Brewing Co, located in Brisbane’s longest-running 

a beautiful art deco building in West independent brewery, familyowned 

and serving award-winning 

End, is a fully functioning brewery, 

bar and restaurant and your one stop beer since 2005. Our beers are 

shop for all things craft beer, awesome brewed to suit the climate, bringing 

food and functions. 

people who love to explore the 

Whether sampling the medal winning world and locally made craft beer 

core range beers named after iconic together. Welcoming and friendly, 

streets in the local catchment or the unpretentious, and easy going, 

seasonal smash hits that will amaze enjoy on hot summer or cool sunny 

you, it’s well worth a visit for a taste of winter day, “The Brisbanest Beer”. 

West End. 

(07) 3891 1011 

Catchment Brewing Co - For locals, 

by locals, everywhere. 

brisbanebrewing.com.au/wholesale 

(07) 3846 1701 

bookings@catchmentbrewingco.com.au 

catchmentbrewingco.com.au 

Aether Brewing 

Aether is more than just a 

brewery or just some beer. It is an 

expression of creativity, innovation 

and quality which is hand crafted 

by a team who treat each other as 

family. We are driven by our shared 

unrelenting passion for what we 

do and the dedication we have for 

great beer shows in each and every 

beer that leaves our home in the 

North of Brisbane. From our multiple 

award winning core range to our 

highly anticipated seasonal releases, 

we create a beer for every taste. 

1800 325 013 

aetherbrewing.com.au 

Granite Belt Brewery 

Granite Belt Brewery is a small batch 

brewery with a passion for creating 

unique, full flavoured beers that are 

perfect for every occasion. Our beers 

are made purely... to be enjoyed. 

We brew and bottle everything onsite 

in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt, 

and it is all available for wholesale 

distribution. 

(07) 4681 1370 

granitebeltbrewery.com.au 

Scarborough Harbour Brewing Co 

Nestled in the Scarborough Marina 

on the Redcliffe Peninsula, our 

brewery is home to award-winning 

craft beers and delicious meals, that 

can be enjoyed in our double story 

venue, that boasts views across the 

bay to the beautiful Glass House 

Mountains; a view best enjoyed with 

a beer in hand. 

1800 727 104 

scarboroughharbourbc.com.au 


Paul St John-Wood PUB TALK 

MORE TO COME 

QHA/TAB Townsville Hoteliers Meeting 

and Cowboys Game 

A fantastic afternoon and night was had by all 

attendees at the QHA/TAB Event in Townsville in late 

August. Many of you will have seen that TAB are now 

jersey sponsors of the North Queensland Cowboys, 

so QHA and TAB played host to 50 publicans for a 

hoteliers meeting before heading on to the Cowboys 

game against Cronulla Sharks. 

Thank you to all of the hoteliers and who attended 

to socialise and network at the event. We had 

hoteliers from far and wide including Cairns, Brisbane, 

Rockhampton and Bowen just to name a few. A 

special thank you to the team at The Seaview Hotel for 

hosting the meeting prior to the game. 

Minors on premises 

With the end of another school year approaching it is 

timely to remind licensees to remain vigilant for minors 

on the premises. With half of the graduating year being 

only seventeen years old, these minors are now more 

inclined to try and enter a licensed premises to join 

their friends from the same grade who are of legal age. 

Add this to the prevalence and accessibility of fake 

IDs and it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure 

these non-exempt minors do not enter the premises 

to consume alcohol with their friends. Ensure your 

policies and procedures are up to date and enforced 

to ensure IDs are being checked. 

Save the date - Pubs, Pots and Profits 

Plainland, Tuesday 17 October 

CUB together with the QHA will again be hosting the 

Pubs, Pots & Profits forum for hoteliers and key staff 

from around the Ipswich region. This forum will feature 

presentations from leading experts in the industry, 

focusing on business development initiatives for your 

hotel. The event will be held at Porter’s Plainland Hotel 

on Tuesday 17 October. Canapes and networking 

drinks will be included, thanks to CUB. To register 

attendance for this free event simply contact the QHA. 

Save the Date - Women in Hotels 

Brisbane, Thursday 19 October 

In the dynamic world of the hotel industry, women 

have risen to prominent positions. Their contributions 

to the sector have been invaluable, from managing 

properties to pioneering hospitality concepts. To 

recognise the need for fostering a strong network 

among female professionals, the exclusive Women in 

Hotel’s networking and celebratory event was born. 

This gathering serves as a platform for hoteliers, 

managers and executives to come together and 

celebrate their achievements, share experiences 

and inspire one another. The event offers a unique 

opportunity to forge new connections, exchange 

ideas, and collaborate with like-minded industry 

members and friends. 

Further information, including ticket sales, can be 

found on the QHA website: qha.org.au. 


WINE 

WORK AND PLAY 


FOND MEMORIES OF SUNDAY NIGHTS SPENT 

AT HOME WITH FAMILY SIPPING ON GLASSES 

OF RICH BOLD BAROSSA SHIRAZ LAID THE 

FOUNDATIONS FOR HEY DIDDLE’S JOURNEY 

INTO THE WINE INDUSTRY. 

Founded by two former teammates of the Port 

Adelaide AFL team, Tom Jones and Brad Ebert, 

Hey Diddle has a modern, slightly quirky approach 

to winemaking that combines innovation and 

tradition. The brand stands apart by blending 

different grape varieties, employing fresh 

techniques and embracing a carefree identity. 

After growing up in families that enjoyed quality 

wine and celebrated special occasions with tours 

to South Australia’s renowned wine regions, it was 

only a matter of time before Tom and Brad would 

venture into winemaking. 

Tom said the cool thing about their project is that, 

from the start, they have been able to creatively 

drive it themselves.

WINE 

“We have the power to choose whatever bottles we 

want, get whoever we want to do the labels and even 

wax the top of our products. 

“At the club we would always kind of spit ball things 

that we wanted to do outside of footy. We just called 

them pipe dreams, but this is the first one that we have 

run with and it’s going pretty well. 

“I kind of came across the old commentary term 

Bryan Taylor uses a bit which is, ‘hey diddle diddle 

straight through the middle’. I floated it to Brad, and he 

suggested we cut it down to ‘hey diddle’, so that has 

been the brand ever since,” he said. 

Driven by their general love for wine and the desire 

to create a product they could be proud of, the pair 

wanted to break away from the traditional stereotypes 

surrounding wine and make it more accessible and 

enjoyable for everyone. As such, the ethos of Hey 

Diddle Wines was born and centred around having fun 

and not taking anything too seriously. 

From the beginning, the pair wanted to showcase 

the incredible diversity of South Australia and its wine 

regions renowned for their vast range of environments, 

climates and grape varieties. Through their vineyard 

selection process, Tom and Brad wanted to highlight 

the unique stories behind each label and offer a deeper 

appreciation of the wines they produce. 


WINE 


To turn their dream into a reality, in 2017 the duo 

collaborated with Ben Chipman – an experienced and 

skilled winemaker who first practiced at Rusden and 

more recently showcased his skills with his own label, 

Tom Foolery. 

Ben is often found working behind the scenes crafting 

Hey Diddle’s wines to perfection and serving as a 

mentor and guide to Tom and Brad by sharing his 

unparalleled knowledge of the wine industry. While 

he specialises in the brand’s red wines, Hey Diddle’s 

selection of fine white wines are made by Brendon 

Koerner of the famed Koerner Brothers label. 

Ben said being a winemaker it is a really amazing 

thing, as you can talk the language of wine lovers all 

over the world. 

“People in any great city or place love to drink wine, 

and they often love to match it with food that is 

indigenous to the area – it really makes life worth living. 

“Hey Diddle is something that I am really excited 

about. It’s the coming together of three varieties, three 

great mates and three good minds. We are constantly 

adding to the portfolio which is really cool.” 

“Tom and Brad are great guys, we have a lot in 

common, and I think we just want to strive to get 

better at everything we do. Hey Diddle is something 

that we all believe in,” he said. 

In a far cry from Australia Rules Football, Tom and 

Brad take care of various aspects of the business, 

such as packaging design, production, sales, 

distribution and marketing – all while ensuring that 

every detail resonates with their vision. 

While embracing modern practices, they also pay 

homage to the industry’s traditions by incorporating 

wax seals and corks on most of their bottles. The wax 

seal adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to 

their products, reflecting the craftsmanship and care 

that goes into each of their wine selections. 

Since their inception, Hey Diddle Wines has gained 

popularity and recognition for its exceptional wines 

and approachable brand ethos. Their goal to make 

wine enjoyable for everyone has resonated with wine 

enthusiasts and novices alike. With each bottle, they 

showcase the beauty of South Australia and the 

captivating stories behind the vineyards, which further 

strengthens their connection to a myriad of wine 

lovers. 

“Brad and I were really just keen to get involved in 

some winemaking – we sort of carried on about pipe 

dreams and footy all the time, so we couldn’t say no to 

this opportunity. It’s been a great time,” Tom said.

WINE 

TOP SHELF 

2021 SHIRAZ 

Barossa Valley SA 

Bold rich and easy to drink, soft tannins and low on 

acidity. Ripe raspberry moving into dark plum and 

blackberry. Very drinkable modern shiraz. 

2022 ROSÉ 

Riverina SA 

Delightful pale pink, orange zest and strawberry musk 

hints. Crisp and super dry finish. Great with your 

favourite Tapas and Salmon or Mackerel. 

2022 REISLING 

Adelaide Hills SA 

Delicate floral nose. Early season peach and 

honeysuckle with a zesty mid palate, crisp refreshing 

and tight on the finish. A cracker at this price point! 


TRADE DIRECTORY 

INSURANCE | RISK MANAGEMENT | CONSULTING 

Your trusted advisor, helping you identify your business risks 

and find the right insurance solutions so you can face your 

future with confidence. 

Call: 1800 240 432 

AJG.com/au/qha 

LIVE SPORT IN VENUES 

Foxtel Business delivers the magic of sport to venues – 

bringing people together, entertaining them and contributing 

to a boost in trade. And with over 50 live sports, there’s 

something for everyone. Serve your customers the best 

sporting action with Foxtel. 

P: 1300 761 056 www.foxtel.com.au/venues 

TURBOFAN 

COOK AND HOLD WITH 

ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE 

MARKET LEADING BRANDS IN EQUIPMENT 

No matter the size, shape or demands placed on your 

business, we have the ability to deliver equipment that is 

functional, adaptable and reliable, Turbofan, Waldorf, Waldorf 

Bold, Cobra, Convotherm, FastFri, Merrychef. 

P: 1300 268 798 E: info@moffat.com.au 

Service department: 1300 264 217 

STODDART 

Stoddart are one of Australia’s leading manufacturers and 

importers of a large range of world leading equipment for 

food service and bar applications. 

Darrin Miller 

P: 0417 867 979 E: dmiller@stoddart.com.au 

stoddart.com.au 


LEADING PUB AND HOTEL LAWYERS IN QUEENSLAND 

Mullins’ hospitality team has unrivalled experience in the liquor 

and gaming sector, developed over 40 years. From greenfield 

applications and integrated developments to liquor and 

gaming compliance and employment advice - we are your 

one-stop-shop to ensure the best outcomes for your hotel. 

Curt Schatz, Managing Partner | Direct: 07 3224 0230 

Email: cschatz@mullinslawyers.com.au 

mullinslawyers.com.au 

QHA 

MEMBER 

OFFER 

CITY PROPERTY SERVICES 

Over 25 years of commercial 

cleaning services | Triple certified 

Quality assured | EcoClean 

Certified using environmentally 

friendly products. 

Get 2 weeks free with any 

12 month contract when 

mentioning this advert. 

P: 1300 630 636 

citypropertyservices.co 

ADVERTISING & PROMOTION 

For more information on advertising and 

promoting your business in the QHA REVIEW 

contact Simon Cross. 

qhareview@qha.org.au or 0413 698 630

JOIN US FOR A 

TRADE DIRECTORY 

Q H A & 

B 

I D F O O D 

GOLF 

2023 

NEW DATE! 

11 October 2023 

RACV ROYAL PINES RESORT GOLF COURSE, GOLD COAST 

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS 

$250 

TEAMS OF 4 

$1,000 

HOLE SPONSORSHIP 

$2,500 (includes a team of 4) 

All packages include: 

18 hole, 4 ball ambrose competition 

including green fees and buggy hire, 

on-course lunch, poolside post-game dinner 

and presentations and beverages on course. 

FREE ENTRY FOR HOTEL MEMBERS! 

For more information email kmott@qha.org.au or phone 07 3221 6999 

Book your team: www.qha.org.au 


QHA PARTNERS & CORPORATE MEMBERS 

QHA PARTNERS AND CORPORATE MEMBERS ARE VALUED PREFERRED SUPPLIERS TO THE QUEENSLAND HOTEL INDUSTRY. THE 

BUSINESSES LISTED IN THIS DIRECTORY ARE KEEN SUPPORTERS OF HOTELS IN QUEENSLAND AND THE QHA ENCOURAGES MEMBER 

HOTELS TO UTILISE THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. IF A BUSINESS WISHES TO FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME A QHA PARTNER OR 

CORPORATE MEMBER, PLEASE CALL DAMIAN STEELE, QHA DEPUTY CHEIF EXECUTIVE ON (07) 3221 6999. 


ACCOUNTING/ TAX 

BDO Australia 

Ph: 07 3237 5999 

bdo.com.au 

HLB Mann Judd - 

Chartered Accountants 

Ph: 07 3001 8800 

hlb.com.au 

Prosperity Advisers QLD 

Ph: 07 3007 1971 

prosperity.com.au 

SW Accountants 

& Advisors 

Ph: 07 3085 0888 

sw-au.com 

Quantaco 

Ph: 02 8346 6000 

quantaco.co 

Clarity Management 

Ph: 3058 9732 

claritymg.com.au 

Hotel Accountants Pty Ltd 

Ph: 07 5560 8988 

hotelaccountants.com.au 

McGrathNicol 

Ph: 07 3333 9800 

mcgrathnicol.com 

ARCHITECTS / REPAIRS 

REFURBISHMENT/ 

RECONSTRUCTION / 

CONSTRUCTION 

Ashley Cooper 

Construction 

Ph: 07 3142 5915 

ashleycooper.com 

BSPN Architecture 

Ph: 07 3851 9100 

bpsn.com.au 

Caughley & Co 

Ph: 0434 549 242 

caughleyco.com.au 

Open Projects 

Ph: 1800 461 421 

openprojects.com.au 

Paynters - Design & 

Construction 

Ph: 07 3368 5500 

paynters.com.au 

Rohrig Constructions 

Ph: 07 3257 4411 

rohrlg.com.au 

Imagination Play 

Ph: 07 3088 6077 

imaginationplay.com.au 

IQ Construct 

Ph: 3667 8202 

iqcontruct.com.au 

Urban Play 

Ph: 07 3256 0554 

urbanplay.com.au 

BEVERAGES 

Accolade Wines 

Ph: 07 3252 7933 

accolade-wines.com 

Brown-Forman 

Australia P/L 

Ph: 07 3010 2000 

brown-forman.com 

Campari Australia Pty Ltd 

Ph: 07 3253 1801 

camparigroup.com.au 

Carlton & United 

Breweries 

Ph: 07 3666 4104 

cub.com.au 

Coca-Cola Europacific 

Partners 

Ph: 13 26 53 

ccamatil.com 

Coopers Brewery 

Ph: 07 3275 3732 

coopers.com.au 

CUB Premium Beverages 

Ph: 07 3666 4104 

cub.com.au 

Diageo 

Ph: 07 3257 0800 

diageo.com 

Diablo Co 

Ph: 0400 696 192 

diabloco.com.au 

Lion 

Ph: 07 3361 7400 

lionco.com 

Paramount Liquor 

Ph: 0429 448 523 

www.paramountliquor. 

com.au 

Pernod-Ricard Australia 

Ph: 07 3340 5471 

pernod-ricard.com 

Red Bull Australia 

Ph: 02 9023 2892 

redbull.com.au 

Samuel Smith & Son 

Ph: 07 3373 5777 

samsmith.com 

Southtrade International 

Ph: 07 3085 7418 

southtradeint.com.au 

Treasury Wine Estates 

Ph: 03 9685 8000 

treasurywineestates.com 

Your Mates Brewing Co. 

Ph: 07 5329 4733 


4 Hearts Brewing 

Ph: 07 3281 1004 

admin@4heartsbrewing.com 

www.4heartsbrewing.com 

Heads of Noosa Brewing Co. 

Ph: 0401 399 625 

headsofnoosa.com.au 

BUILDING SUPPLIES 

& SERVICES 

Bunnings 

Ph: 07 3452 5725 

bunnings.com.au 

Urban Play 

Ph: 07 3256 0554 

urbanplay.com.au 

EDUCATION, TRAINING 

& EMPLOYMENT 

Best Security - 

Security & Training 

Ph: 07 3212 8460 

bestsecurlty.net.au 

Find a Chef Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0431 376 689 

findachef.net.au 

Frontier Leadership 

Ph: 0423 097 246 

frontierleadership.edu.au 

Federation Academy 

Ph: 0423 097 246 

federationacademy.edu.au 

Prime Effect 

Ph: 0406 500 171 

primeeffect.com.au 

MEGT 

Ph: 0409 896 503 

megt.com.au 

Owner Manager Program 

Ph: 0437 834 195 

ownermanager.com.au 

Sero Institute 

Ph: 1800 206 010 

seroinstitute.edu.au 

TAFE Queensland 

Ph: 1300 308 233 

tafeqld.edu.au 

Tribe Workforce Solutions 

Ph: 07 3238 0808 

tribeworkforce.com.au 

The Kingsmen 

Ph: 0410 416 655 

thekingsmen.net.au 

Zenith Hospitality Staffing 

Solutions 

Ph: 07 3002 4000 

zenithhospitality.com 

ENERGY GAS/POWER 

BOC Limited 

Ph: 07 3212 4135 

boc.com.au 

TransTasman 

Energy Group 

Ph: 1300 118 834 

tteg.com.au 

Spinifex Energy 

Ph: 0419 108 638 

spinifexenergy.com.au 

Sun Flux Solar Australia 

Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0421 082 828 

sunfluxsolar.com.au 

FINANCES, BANKING, 

INSURANCE & 

INVESTMENTS 

BDO Australia 

Ph: 07 3237 5999 

bdo.com.au 

Commonwealth Bank of 

Australia 

Ph: 0476 824 307 

CommBank.com.au 

Gallagher Insurance 

Brokers 

Brisbane: 07 3367 5000 

Nth QLD: 07 4753 5311 

Toowoomba: 07 4639 7102 

ajg.com.au 

Shift 

Ph: 0498 137 007 

shift.com.au 

Green Finance Group 

Ph: 0457 883 700 

greenfinancegroup. 

com.au 

Waratah Debt Capital 

Ph: 0448 681 783 

waratahmanagement. 

com.au 

Westpac Banking 

Corporation 

Ph: 0438 701 195 

westpac.com.au 

Banktech 

Ph: 1800 080 910 

banktech.com.au 

BUPA - health insurance 

Ph: 134135 

(quote ID 2139463) 

bupa.com.au 

Trinitas Australia Pty Ltd 

Ph: 1300 836 025 

trinitas3.com.au 

FOOD & ASSOCIATED 

BUSINESSES 

Bidfood Australia Limited 

Ph: 0434 939 134 

bidfood.com.au 

PFD Food Services 

Ph: 131 733 

pfdfoods.com.au 

Simon George and Sons 

Ph: 07 3717 1400 

simongeorge.com.au 

CTB & Co 

(Cooking the Books) 

Ph: 1300 911 282 

cookingthebooks.com 

Food and Agribusiness 

Network 

Ph: 0419 651 157 

foodagribusiness.org.au 

FURNITURE SUPPLY 

SlumberCorp 

Ph: 07 3892 7477 

slumbercorp.com.au 

GAMING AND RACING 

Ainsworth Game 

Technology P/L 

Ph: 07 3209 6210 

ainsworth.com.au 

Aristocrat Leisure 

Industries 

Ph: 07 3727 1600 

aristocrat.com.au 

IGT 

Ph: 07 3890 5622 

igt.com.au 

Konami Australia 

Ph: 02 9666 3111 

konamiaustralia.com.au 

Light & Wonder 

Ph: 02 9773 0299 

explore.lnw.com 

MAX 

Ph: 0418 728 927 

max.com.au 

Odyssey Gaming Services 

Ph: 07 3087 3300 

odysseygaming.com 

PVS Australia Pty Ltd 

Ph: 03 8671 1900 

pvsoz.com.au 

Simtech 

Ph: 07 5596 6993 

simtechcreations.com 

Keno 

(The Lottery Corporation) 

Ph: 07 3001 9300 

thelotterycorporation.com


TAB 

Ph: 0436 816 254 

tab.com.au 

UTOPIA Gaming Systems 

Ph: 1800 200 201 

utopiagaming.com.au 

HOSPITALITY 

CONSULTANTS 

AHS Hospitality 

Ph: 07 5512 6143 

ahshospitality.com.au 

DNS Specialist Services 

Ph: 0433 906 809 

dnsspecialistservices.com.au 

DWS Hospitality Specialists 

Ph: 07 3878 9355 

dws.net 

Lighthouse Safety & 

Compliance 

Ph: 0422 669 631 

lighthousesafety.com.au 

Logic Hospitality 

Ph: 07 5520 3957 

logichospitality.com.au 

Mondandia Consulting 

Ph: 0448 710 629 

www.monandiaconsulting. 

com.au 

Morph Consulting Services 

Ph: 0438 758 847 

morph-consulting.com 

Nuvho 

Ph: 07 3357 9951 

nuvho.com 

Professional Hospitality 

Ph: 07 3160 8132 

professionalhospitality. 

com.au 

Prostaff Events Pty Ltd 

prostaffevents.com.au 

Reward Hospitality 

Ph: 07 3341 5929 

rewardhospitality.com.au 

Stoddart 

Ph: 0437 576 447 

stoddart.com.au 

Hunter Industrials 

(QLD) Pty Ltd 

Ph: 07 3054 1039 

huntind.com.au 

HOTEL BROKERS / 

REAL ESTATE / 

PROPERTY VALUERS 

Off Market Hotels 

Chris Cameron 

Ph: 0477 271 875 

offmarkethotels.com.au 

Power Jeffrey & Co - 

Hotel Brokers 

Ph: 07 3832 6000 

powerjeffrey.com.au 

CRE Brokers 

Ph: 07 5371 0165 

crebrokers.com 

HTL Property 

Ph: 02 8016 3810 

htlproperty.com.au 

JLL 

Ph: 07 3231 1311 

jll.com.au 

LEGAL 

Mullins 

Ph: (07) 3224 0222 

mullinslawyers.com.au 

Holding Redlich 

Ph: 07 3135 0500 

holdingredlich.com 

HopgoodGanim Lawyers 

Ph: 0419 762 469 

hopgoodganim.com.au 

QHA PLATINUM PARTNERS 

QHA DIAMOND PARTNERS 

QHA GOLD PARTNERS 

HOTEL ENTERTAINMENT 

Foxtel Business 

Ph: 1300 790 182 

foxtel.com.au/venues 

Sky Channel 

Ph: 07 3228 6344 

Freecall: 1800 251 710 

skychannel.com.au 

Stan Sport 

Ph: 0416 208 417 

stan.com.au/sport/venues 

Nightlife - Music & Video 

Freecall: 1800 679 748 

nightlife.com.au 

Pro Score - Sporting 

Promotions 

Ph: 0431 366 800 

proscore.com.au 

Rooks Entertainment 

Ph: 07 4068 8633 

rooks-entertainment.com.au 

HOTEL & BAR SUPPLIES 

BOC Limited - Gas/ 

Reticulation Supply 

Ph: 07 3212 4322 

boc.com.au 

K&L Gates 

Ph: 0416 131 543 

klgates.com 

Rostron Carlyle Rojas 

Lawyers 

Ph: 07 3009 8444 

www.rcrlaw.com.au 

LIQUOR 

BUYING GROUPS 

Bottlemart 

Ph: 1300 733 504 

bottlemart.com.au 

Independent Liquor 

Group 

Ph: 07 3713 2751 

ilg.com.au 

Liquor Legends 

Ph: 07 3107 7422 

liquorlegends.com.au 

LIQUOR 

WHOLESALE GROUPS 

ALM (Australian Liquor 

Marketers) 

Brisbane: 07 3489 3600 

Townsville: 07 4799 4022 

Cairns: 07 4041 6070 

almliquor.com.au 


Ph: 0429 448 523 

paramountliquor.com.au 

BDO Australia 

BSV 

Daily Press 

H&L Australia 

Off Market Hotels 

Best Security 

BOC Limited 

BSPN Architecture 

Caughley and Co 

Chewzie Table 

Ordering 

Coopers Brewery 

Command 51 

Diablo Co 

Grayza 

Green Finance Group 

HLB Mann Judd 

QHA SILVER PARTNERS 

Prosperity 

Advisers QLD 

PVS Australia 

Simon George & Sons 

Tanda 

QHA BRONZE PARTNERS 

MSL Solutions 

Odyssey Gaming 

Services 

Open Projects Group 

Operandio Pty Ltd 


Paynters 

Platypus Print 

Packaging 

Power Jeffrey and 

Company 

Quantaco 

Trans Tasman 

Energy Group 

UTOPIA Gaming 

Systems 

Rohrig Constructions 

Red Bull Australia 

Secure Access I.T. 

Shift 

Simtech 

Southtrade 

International 

Stan Sport 

SW Accountants 

& Advisors 

Waratah Debt Capital 



APPROVED 

MANAGER’S 

LICENCE 

RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT 

OF LICENSED VENUES 

TRAINING 

Your Mates Brewing Co. 

Ph: 07 5329 4733 


4 Hearts Brewing Co. 

Ph: 0428 236 436 

4heartsbrewing.com 

MEDIA / MARKETING 

Daily Press 

Ph: 0412 224 969 

dailypress.com.au 

POINT OF SALE / 

PAYMENTS 

CashZone 

Ph: 0466 148 752 

cashzoneatm.com.au 

H&L Australia Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0407 975 411 

hlaustralia.com.au 

Luxxe Outsourced Hotel 

Services 

Ph: 03 8761 9156 

luxxe.com.au 

Security Registers 

Ph: 0452 363 166 

securityregisters.com.au 

Tru Security Services 

Ph: 0452 377 662 

trusecurity.com.au 

SUPERANNUATION 

HOSTPLUS 

Ph: 1300 467 875 

hostplus.com.au 

TECHNOLOGICAL 

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 

BSV 

Ph: 1300 244 727 

bigscreenvideo.com.au 

UrPay Technologies 

Ph: 0411 457 377 

urpay.com.au 

Vix Vizion Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0413 026 918 

vixvizion.com 

Whats Doing App 

Ph: 0404 561 895 

whatsdoingapp.com 

TRANSPORT 

A.P. Eagers Limited 

Ph: 07 3109 6731 

apeagers.com.au 

MSL Solutions 

Ph: 0448 134 625 

mslsolutions.com 

Chewzie Table Ordering 

Ph: 1300 243 994 

chewzie.me 

“HONESTLY THE BEST TRAINING 

SESSION! FUN AND LIGHT-HEARTED 

WHILE BEING VERY INFORMATIVE AND 

KNOWLEDGEABLE. THANKS, QHA.” 

OTHER COURSES OFFERED: 

Online RSA/RSG Training 

Gaming Nominee Training 

Employment Relations Training 

Employment Relations Webinar 

Banktech 

Ph: 1800 080 910 

banktech.com.au 

Bepoz Retail Solutions 

Ph: 1300 023 769 

bepoz.com.au 

Harris Data Systems 

Ph: 07 5535 7677 

harrisdata.com.au 

MyVenue Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0447 129 873 

myvenue.com/pubs-cafes-bars 

UrPay 

Ph: 0411 457 377 

urpay.com.au 

PRINTING / PACKAGING 

Platypus Print Packaging 

Ph 07 3352 0300 

platys.com.au 

SECURITY / CLEANING 

Grayza 

Ph: 1300 944 131 

grayza.com 

Operandio Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0422 398 294 

operandio.com 

Secure Access I.T. 

Ph: 1300 880 565 

secureaccess.com.au 

Tanda 

Ph: 1300 859 117 

tanda.co 

BK Electronics 

Ph: 0431 509 409 

bkelectronics.com.au 

Cherry Hub Pty Ltd 

Ph: 0409 548 276 

cherryhub.com.au 

Hikvision Digital Technology 

Ph: 1300 976 305 

hikvision.com 

Responsible Management of Licensed Venues 

Training is a mandatory training requirement 

for those applying for a liquor licence, and 

applicants for an Approved Manager’s Licence. 

Training is offered face to face at regional 

centres throughout Queensland. 

For more information please contact the 

QHA Training Centre 

Ph: 07 3221 6999 Fax: 07 3221 6649 

Email: training@qha.org.au 

Web: www.qha.org.au 

Best Security 

Ph: 07 3212 8460 

bestsecurity.net.au 

Command 51 

Ph: 0437 368 352 

command51.com.au 

CMBM Facility Services 

Ph: 07 3391 1040 / 

Ph: 0419 708 715 

cmbm.com.au 

Future Business Technology 

Group 

Ph: 1300 706 155 

fgtgroup.com.au 

Hikvision Digital Technology 

Ph: 1300 976 305 

hikvision.com 

Lotus Commercial Pty Ltd 

Ph: 1300 653 536 

lotusfilters.com.au 

IDU Technologies Pty Ltd 

mitch@idu-identification.com 

idu-identification.com 

Jands 

Ph: 0408 506 620 

jands.com.au 

JB Hi-Fi Commercial 

Division 

Ph: 07 3360 9925 

jbhifi.com.au 

Mr Yum 

Ph: 0448 504 121 

mryum.com.au 

onPlatinum ICT 

Ph: 0402 281 561 

onplatinum.com.au 

Security Registers 

Ph: 0452 363 166 

securityregisters.com.au 

Smart Parking Limited 

Ph: 0421 155 972 

smartparking.com

Hostplus is a top-performing super fund that puts members first. That’s why we’re proud to have been named 

the 2023 Fund of the Year by third-party ratings agency SuperRatings. Judged across three areas: strong 

performance, competitive fees, and an ongoing focus on members, we’re thrilled to receive this recognition. 

The rating is issued by SuperRatings Pty Ltd ABN 95 100 192 283 AFSL 311880 (SuperRatings). Ratings are general advice only and have been prepared without 

taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent 

financial advice before investing. The rating and awards are not recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product and are only one factor to be taken into 

account when choosing a super fund. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and 

SuperRatings assumes no obligation to update. SuperRatings uses objective criteria and receives a fee for publishing awards. Visit www.lonsec.com.au/superfund/ratings-and-awards/ 

for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2022 SuperRatings. All rights reserved. General advice only. Consider the relevant 

Hostplus PDS and TMD at hostplus.com.au and your objectives, financial situation and needs, which have not been accounted for. Awards and ratings are only one 

factor to consider. Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704, AFSL 244392 trustee for Hostplus Superannuation Fund, ABN 68 657 495 890. HP2392

Catalogue Out Now 

Holiday 

Parks 

Over 590+ products, 

15+ product categories 

& 70+ brands 

Price Match 

Promise 

Have a comparable quote? We'll 

price match it. Ask About Our Price 

Match Promise today!* T&Cs apply. 

Discover our diverse & 

extensive product range, 

specially curated for 

Holiday Park Operators. 

Read online today! 

1800 473 927 rewardhospitality.com.au 

0800 428 733 rewardhospitality.co.nz 

Price Match Promise applies to any lower published price for an in-stock, like-for-like product (colour/ make/ model/ size etc) offered on the same terms in Australia and 

exclusive of customer discount or rebate. In order to qualify, the price must be published in writing in quotation format. We reserve full discretion and the right to refuse 

a Price Match Promise request, where the above requirements are not met. See our website for more details. For full T&Cs visit rewardhospitality.com.au/price-matchpromise. 

For full terms and conditions please see in-store or visit rewardhospitality.com.au.

QHA-Review_Sept_Digital

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?