The Official Publication of THE AUSTRALIAN HOTELS ASSOCIATION (SA branch) Registered by Australia Post: PP504655/00074 August / September 2013 Experience the difference at the Macs Hotel SeeSSee Ainsworth’sAinsworth’s bbigig llineupineup ooff nnewew aandnd iinnovativennovativeiv productsproducctsct att the 20132013 AGEAGE 1313 - 1515 AugustAugust - SSydneyydney ConventionConvention & ExhibitionExhibitioon Centre. ForFor moremore informationinformation ccontactontact ToniToni OdgersOdgers - 04020402 927927 833833 oror [email protected]@ainsworth.com.au www.ainsworth.com.auwww.ainsworth.com.au 2 Contents 06 AHA|SA’s Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence 2013 South Australia’s best hotels have been honoured with an array of awards at the industry’s Tourism Minister Leon Bignell, Tim Gregg and Andrew Svencis – Lion Hotel and Mario awards night. Farinola – Aon. 12 23 28 Look at the Macs Hotel now Smithy’s ShOUT and AbOUT Architects and builders From cuckoo clock to taxidermy, the Macs Smithy heads to the Tap Inn, Goodwood Helping the industry boom. Hotel has a new lease on life. Park, Clovercrest, and Bellum Hotel. 34 44 58 WIH McLaren Vale Meeting Eat, drink, laugh! SATC new CEO Ladies travelled to McLaren Vale for the Hotel SA takes a look at the current trends Rodney Harrex sets the agenda for tourism Women in Hotels networking event. in food and beverage in the hotel industry. in South Australia. 379 South Road, Mile End South, Phone: (08) 8234 0388 [email protected] www.andale.com.au Beer Dispensing Equipment From supplying Australia’s leading breweries, installing the latest beer dispensing equipment in Australian pubs, clubs and hotels, to helping out the home enthusiast. Andale are passionate about helping you dispense high quality and profi table tap beer. www.ahasa.asn.au 3 4 PRESIDENT From the President Peter Hurley, AHA|SA President The industry is going through the most diffi cult period since the recession “we had to have” under Paul Keating. In fact, it may even be the most diffi cult period ever. embers are facing a downturn in The zip-phrase returns It would also seem the young generation, sales, but the costs are increasing particularly when out socialising, have less M Yet again we are seeing the new zip- at a rate driven by all levels of government. respect for authority, which of course, is phrase continue its rounds on news and The introduction of the Carbon Tax has more likely to result in bad behaviour. What current affairs programs on a daily basis. is the cause of this? A law enforcement resulted in a massive increase in costs Alcohol! Fuelled! Violence! system that doesn’t enforce the across all industries. Add to that the This falsely worded term is a plague on consequences? increases in Property Tax and it raises the our industry. It has no body, nor do the prospect of impending doom for many ‘solutions’ support the facts. Awards small to medium businesses. The industry The consumption of alcohol has been Congratulations to all the winners of the has no capacity to afford these hikes, fl at for many years, and yet we hear and 2013 Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence, particularly in a time where per capita read about an increase in what has been especially The Lion Hotel which was consumption of alcohol and beer has labelled alcohol-fuelled violence. So, other named SA’s Best Overall Hotel for 2013. been fl at since 1975. than the continual decrease of alcohol I would like to thank all the hotels that According to the National Australia Bank, consumption, what else has changed? entered this year’s awards and also the Australian businesses are seeing the 40 years ago, we were all married by the valuable support of our sponsors on the lowest business conditions in four years. age of 21. We had a mortgage and kids night. The Hotel Awards for Excellence NAB states that consumer-dependent before we were 30. We were certainly in no is always a sensational night on the hotel sectors, such as our hotel industry, have fi nancial position to be out until all hours of industry calendar, and a fi tting refl ection been the hardest hit because of the poor the morning, let alone under the infl uence of the professionalism and quality of our leisure dollar. of alcohol. industry. Government has the capacity to help the In 1977 the median marriage age was nation’s businesses in these diffi cult times, 24 for men and 21 for women. In 35 but instead they simply add to our cost years, this has increased by six years base and dampen demand. with the average age 30 and 28 years-old “NAB states that The confi dence of Members in the respectively in 2011. future of their staff was further dented Add to that a more disposable income and consumer-dependent when they read Judith Sloan’s column a lot of freedom, and you have changed after the release of the State Budget. She values, priorities and a social issue that sectors, such as our asked if Australia could afford another extends far past the local pub. Tasmania? Then there is the prolifi c use of illicit drugs, hotel industry, have Are we really heading in that direction? It which the media continually seems to certainly feels that way and many of us are neglect to mention. It’s not unreasonable been the hardest hit starting to believe it and lose faith in our to assume that more and more bad so-called ‘leaders’. behaviour is fuelled by social drugs because of the poor When will they start listening to the people consumed at home. What part does that who fuel the economy? play and why is the issue being ignored? leisure dollar.” www.ahasa.asn.au 5 he iconic Lion Hotel is already well known for its outstanding Trestaurant, and this year it has taken out the category of Best The Lion Hotel Restaurant – General Division for the 10th time since 1999 – an incredible achievement for the hotel and its owners Tim Gregg and Andrew Svencis. The Lion was also the joint winner of the Best Outdoor/Non- roars its way Enclosed Facility category, honoring its popular outdoor area which underwent a major refurbishment in 2012. The hotel was called to the stage two other times to receive the to the top Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan award and joint winner of the Best Function Operation/Facility – General Division. “The Lion’s continued excellence in food, exceptional customer service, and constant upgrading to its bar and now its outdoor area WINNER has seen it set itself apart from the rest,” AHA|SA General Manager Ian Horne said. “Tim Gregg, Andrew Svencis and their team must be commended BEST on their constant attention to detail and re-evaluation as to what OVERALL they have on offer. “It is a hotel that the South Australian Hotel Industry can use as a HOTEL premium benchmark and honour with the mantle of ‘Best Overall Hotel for 2013”. Lion Hotel Another highlight from this year’s Awards was the recently renovated Warradale Hotel, which has won an impressive three categories, including Best Bistro – Metropolitan, Best Outdoor/Non- Enclosed Facility and Best Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan. “The Warradale is an exciting example of what “the local” has now become,” Mr. Horne said. “A traditional suburban pub has been transformed into a contemporary urban venue that appeals to a range of demographics. It is on the cutting edge of design and technology, and shows excellence in cuisine.” The 2013 AHA|SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence was held on Tuesday, July 23, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Over 750 people attended this premier industry event, with entertainment provided by Leo Sayer, and local Adelaide band, The Attack. All winners from the AHA|SA Awards will now go on to compete in the National AHA Awards which will be held in Canberra on October 2, 2013. 6 HOTEL SA AWARDS www.ahasa.asn.au 7 WINNERS Best Mid-Range Accommodation Arkaba Hotel Best Apartment/Suite Accommodation Miller Apartments Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation Rendezvous Grand Hotel Adelaide Best Bistro/Casual Dining – Country Rising Sun Hotel, Auburn Best Bistro/Casual Dining – Metropolitan Warradale Hotel 8 HOTEL SA AWARDS Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division Sebel Playford Adelaide Best Restaurant – General Division Lion Hotel, North Adelaide Best Bar Presentation & Service – Country Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan Lion Hotel, North Adelaide Best Retail Outlet – Country Great Eastern Hotel, Littlehampton Best Retail Outlet – Metropolitan Stirling Hotel Best Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility Joint winners: Lion Hotel, North Adelaide Warradale Hotel www.ahasa.asn.au 9 AWARDS Best Entertainment Venue Governor Hindmarsh Hotel Best Sporting Entertainment Venue Arkaba Hotel Best Redeveloped Hotel – Country Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier Best Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan Warradale Hotel Outstanding Community Service & Achievement Loxton Hotel Best Marketed Hotel – General Division The Highway Hotel Best Tourism Initiative National Wine Centre 10 HOTEL SA AWARDS Best Environmental Practice & Energy Effi ciency Lakes Resort Hotel Best Gaming Venue – Country Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan The Highway Hotel Best Function Operation/Facility – Accommodation Division Sferas Park Suites and Convention Centre Best Function Operation/Facility – General Division Joint winners: Hackney Hotel Lion Hotel, North Adelaide Outstanding Achievement in Training – General Division Strathmore Hotel Hotel Industry Rising Star Award Justin Twartz – Morphett Arms Hotel www.ahasa.asn.au 11 FEATURE Cuckoo clocks and taxidermy… Wow, look at the Macs now! By Anna Kantilaftas The most recent refurbishment at the Macs Hotel has given it a new life. he Macs Hotel’s most recent of-a-kind hotel in the region.