UNDERAGE BLITZ TAKES THREE MORE

Victoria’s regulator has wrapped up its most comprehensive action to date combatting underage gambling, taking three more licensed venues separately to task in the past month. Appearing in the Magistrates’ Court, Supreme Edinburgh P/L, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh

MERIVALE PRECINCT PLANS FOR A MELBOURNE CARPARK

Hospitality trailblazer Justin Hemmes has plunged Merivale into another major project, buying an ageing car park in the Melbourne CBD with plans to create an all-new multi-faceted entertainment precinct. Merivale has secured the purchase of Parkade, at 34-60 Little Collins Street,

BARRIER REEF ON A NEW WAVE

The historic Barrier Reef Hotel in Cairns has resumed the game, under new owners, returning a near-full-time watering hole to the capital of FNQ. Image: Barrier Reef Hotel website Established back in 1898 as the Empire Hotel, the current two

INSOLVENCIES SPIKE AS SUMMER SETS

Marking the cold end to fervent and optimistic summer trade, the month of February saw a succession of insolvencies and sorry locals. Early in the month Newcastle pub The Edwards closed without warning, leaving patrons shocked and upcoming event bookings

GAMING EXPO TO BEGIN IN BRISBANE

The Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo (AHG) will begin in two weeks and gaming manufacturers IGT and Ainsworth are pumped to show off the new wares. Set to take place in the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 12-13 March, the

AVC SERVES UP FRESH LOOKS IN SEQ

Australian Venue Co continues to invest in venue improvements, this month revealing further refreshed looks for two of its Queensland pubs. North Brisbane’s Everton Park Hotel is the most recent overhaul, now boasting a sunny beer garden with its own

OPERATOR WANTED FOR NEW GASTROPUB

The call is out for hospitality operators to register interest in being part of the $450 million Geelong convention centre, as its developers look to tenant multiple spaces including a new gastropub. Construction began in 2023 on the all-new Nyaal

HAVE YOUR SAY IN COMMUNITY SUPPORT

TAFE NSW is rolling out its ‘Have Your Say Survey 2025’ – to gather the thoughts of the people, with the goal of better understanding local needs and aspirations. The survey is available to all people in NSW, asking questions

SIR CHARLES IN THE SHADOW OF A CRIME

The historic Sir Charles Hotham Hotel was the scene of a violent assault last week that resulted in the death of an elderly man, and his alleged assailant arrested. The 82-year-old man had reportedly been staying in the pub’s accommodation