Hotel SA November 2023
- No tags were found...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
P U B L I C A N P R O F I L E<br />
The following is an edited version<br />
of the speech announcing the<br />
induction of Lisa Matthews into the<br />
Women In <strong>Hotel</strong>s Hall of Fame.<br />
Daughter of the late Tony Matthews<br />
and proud mother, Colleen, Lisa<br />
holds the role of an older sister to<br />
her brother, Scott, and the late Ward<br />
Matthews. As a third-generation<br />
member of the Matthews family,<br />
she carries a remarkable legacy<br />
within the hotel industry, one that<br />
traces its origins back to 1942 when<br />
her grandfather, Seymour Matthews,<br />
and his wife, Dossie, leased the<br />
Bayview <strong>Hotel</strong> in Whyalla.<br />
The Matthews family has left an<br />
indelible mark on this industry,<br />
having owned or operated over<br />
36 leases or freeholds for more<br />
than 80 years. Lisa's journey in the<br />
world of hotels began at a mere<br />
six weeks old when she took up<br />
residence in her first hotel. This<br />
was during her parents' tenure<br />
managing the Tasman <strong>Hotel</strong> in Port<br />
Lincoln. The spirited atmosphere of<br />
hotel life played its part in her early<br />
development, as she took her first<br />
steps at just nine months old, often<br />
with the support and amusement of<br />
patrons and staff.<br />
The Tasman <strong>Hotel</strong> was a<br />
foundational experience in the world<br />
of pub life, where Lisa, even as a<br />
toddler, entertained patrons with her<br />
charm, enjoying her raspberry drinks<br />
at the bar. Many wondered if it was<br />
a suitable environment for a young<br />
child, but Lisa's natural ease in the<br />
setting soon dispelled any doubts.<br />
When Tony and Colleen took over<br />
the Eyre <strong>Hotel</strong> in Whyalla, Lisa<br />
seamlessly transitioned into her<br />
new surroundings and being the<br />
inquisitive type, she occasionally<br />
created some issues for the<br />
accommodation guests. On one<br />
day, she went to all the rooms and<br />
gathered up the toothbrushes of<br />
every traveller staying at the hotel,<br />
which created a few problems for<br />
mum when she had to politely ask<br />
the guests on return whether they<br />
would like a new toothbrush for<br />
the evening.<br />
Lisa Matthews<br />
Tribute<br />
As the only granddaughter to<br />
Seymour & Dossie, she was very<br />
close to them and adored her time<br />
with them as they doted upon her.<br />
Seymour was renowned for his<br />
flamboyance and charm, spotted<br />
driving the streets of Adelaide in his<br />
Rolls Royce with the cigar in hand.<br />
Lisa attended Loreto Convent<br />
school in Marryatville and it was in<br />
these years that her personal values<br />
took root, never seeking to be the<br />
centre of attention or overtly flashy.<br />
She would not allow her grandfather<br />
to pick her up from school in his<br />
flashy Rolls Royce, insisting their<br />
success remain low profile, and that<br />
Seymour park around the corner!<br />
After completing her schooling,<br />
Lisa spent five years in professional<br />
horse training, competition work<br />
and instructing at Templewood<br />
Riding School. She even managed<br />
a short stint in Canberra working<br />
for a Quarter horse enterprise and<br />
training horses for diplomats’ wives.<br />
Following a stint overseas, her<br />
passion for understanding people<br />
and what motivates them led her<br />
to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree<br />
with a major in Psychology.<br />
After obtaining her degree, Lisa<br />
joined the family business,<br />
focusing on the people and culture<br />
aspects of the business. In this<br />
role, Lisa also developed policies<br />
Mel Cooper presents<br />
flowers to Lisa.<br />
and procedures for the business,<br />
formalizing employee recruitment<br />
and managing all matters related<br />
to employment contracts, training,<br />
industrial relations, human<br />
resources, and employment<br />
relations. She actively participated<br />
in the AHA industrial relations subcommittee<br />
and the AHA Women in<br />
<strong>Hotel</strong>s committee. She also served<br />
on the board of Tennis <strong>SA</strong>.<br />
One often overlooked aspect of<br />
Lisa's role in the business was<br />
keeping her father, Tony, in check.<br />
With his uncompromising style, she<br />
often served as a buffer between<br />
him and the demands of staff<br />
and family, providing a stabilizing<br />
influence throughout the trials and<br />
tribulations of life.<br />
However, it was a significant turning<br />
point in 2001 when her father faced<br />
a major health event, thrusting<br />
Lisa into assuming various key<br />
responsibilities for the pub group.<br />
With no formal succession plan<br />
in the business, she took on tasks<br />
involving finances, insurance,<br />
contract negotiations, and any<br />
areas where her father needed<br />
representation, or had previously<br />
managed.<br />
At the age of 29, Lisa married<br />
Graham, a dashing young lawyer,<br />
and they have now spent more than<br />
30 years together as husband and<br />
wife. Together, they raised their two<br />
16 | <strong>Hotel</strong> <strong>SA</strong> | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U Back to Contents