Hospitality

Rockliffe Winery’s summer events, six in all, have been cancelled, a move which both the Shire of Denmark and winery owner Steve Hall call disappointing ... Via an email he received ... from the Shire, Mr Hall was informed that 30 days was necessary for an event application to be lodged because he did not have an event-approved venue ... Mr Hall has been running events at the winery for 18 years ...

A shortage of hospitality workers has driven Business NSW to call on the government to change the rules about how much pensioners can earn without it affecting their pension. A Business NSW 2021 Skills Survey data highlighted the deepening staffing crisis across the state with particular concern for regional hospitality businesses.

Earlier this year, Rockhampton Regional Council and Queensland Police Service Rockhampton stood united in support of women’s safety by endorsing a locally run initiative – the OzAngel program. Designed to provide businesses with support and resources, OzAngel offers patrons a discreet way to raise the alarm when they feel unsafe in bars, clubs and hotels.

Three regional NSW hotels have been snapped up by prominent publicans, with the Sir George Hotel setting a record. One of Australia’s oldest and most iconic hospitality venues, the iconic Sir George Hotel in Jugiong has sold to long time publican and hotel operator Fraser Short for a reported $14 million.

Kirstin Nicholson. The Cohuna community was treated to a gala event at the weekend which involved a host of celebrities, fine dining and entertainment. The Apiam Chef and Chandeliers Gala was organised by the Cohuna and District Progress Association (CDPA) and over 200 guests attended the event at the Memorial Hall where they dined on a meal prepared by celebrity chef, Manu Feildel, using produce from the region.

Gabrielle Duykers. The Naracoorte Hotel Motel will bid farewell to long-time family operators the Pettman’s, with new owners to take over the business early next month. Hotel Motel manager Josh Pettman runs the facility with the help of his wife Jody and parents Heather and David. He said the family were presented with an offer from Australian Venue Co. that came at the right time.

Nicholas Rupolo. It’s the perfect blend of luxury and elegance. This old church built in 1890 was recently converted into a luxurious retreat by Melanie Absolom and her husband Kevin. The church features its original stained glass windows, an open and elegant living area and a mesmerising cache of history in its walls.

Two Maldon businesses are finalists in the Mount Alexander Business Excellence Awards. Warral Maldon and Maldon Takeaway were both selected for demonstrating excellence in their fields ... Since 1896, when the great-great grandfather of the current owner of Warral Maldon, Lindsay Callaway, fell in love with bees, this one family has spent more than 125 years perfecting the art of apiculture ... Maldon Takeaway strive for excellence each day.

Christopher Creek and Deborah Benson have have owned and run the Eaglehawk Motel since January 2013. They have now secured a buyer for the motel after having it on the market for the past three to four years ... Chris is excited to settle down in Maldon and is hoping to spend his time completing a revised edition of Rich Vein, to try and include more of the First Nations’ account.  

Mining and cattle magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has become one of Cook Shire’s biggest ratepayers after he paid $42 million for Lizard Island. Mr Forrest and his wife Nicola’s private investment company Tattarang splashed $42 million for the Great Barrier Reef resort ... Tattarang declined to comment on the Lizard Island deal, but the vendor, Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed SEA Group, announced the deal in an investor statement.

Prominent publican Arthur Laundy and his son Stuart have paid $38 million for the large-scale Bayview Hotel on the Brisbane Waters harbourfront on the Central Coast, marking their first acquisition together.

The freehold interest in the Barham Hotel in regional New South Wales has sold off-market, as the country's pub market refuses to fall out of investor favour.

The freehold and business of Every Man and His Dog Vineyard in the Tasmania tourist hot spot of Richmond, outside of Hobart, has been sold.

Lisa Stewart stood on the burnt ground among the charred trees at Rappville and looked across the railway line to the grand 1911 hotel. She was drawn to buy it, she said, although at the time she didn’t know why the pull was so strong. That was 18 months ago and with partner Colin Foyster, they have transformed the pub.

From 1 November 2021, owners of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) will be required to register their properties with the NSW Government and will no longer require Council planning approval.

Continued thirst for pubs, particularly in regional Australia where demand has increased by 135%, has pushed yields down further, according to Real Capital Analytics. Benjamin Martin-Henry, RCA’s head of analytics, pacific said despite rolling lockdowns across much of Australia over the last 18 months, property investors have shown a remarkable interest in acquiring pubs, with transaction volume on course to eclipse previous highs.

Serena Kirby. Dozens of locals have been lining up on Tuesdays to enjoy a bowl of soup as the new local Soupy gets up and running. This weekly community get together is the brainchild of Lindsey Sesin who came up with the idea as a way of using the excess produce she sometimes has from her Denmark Home Grown business.

The Club Motor Inn has been sold for $4.5 million, nearly 18 months after owners the Narrabri Bowling Club entered into voluntary administration ... Narrabri lies in the heart of the Namoi Valley, around six hours’ drive and 568 kilometres north west of Sydney, in what is an agricultural and administrative centre that is being transformed into one of the state’s largest gas mining regions.

The pub on Casino’s busiest roundabout is up for sale. No one is saying how much it is expected to sell for but Hotel Cecil is on the market ... In 1919, the Cecil was cut into pieces and dragged by a bullock team to its current site on Centre St. This is the first time in 45 years it has been on the market.

Claire Rankin. Coraki Hotel publican Ron Macdonald has been forced to sell his tap beer as takeaway because of the lockdown ... Lockdowns both this year and last have forced Mr Macdonald to sell his tap beer at a cut price, because brewers reject opened kegs.