Industry veteran and Hotels Have Hearts chairman Kim Maloney has been awarded for his dedicated community work with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
Also Vice-President of the NSW branch of the AHA, Maloney was awarded for ‘Social Welfare’ after more than a decade of work and millions of dollars raised for the HHH charity, which benefits Sydney’s homeless.
Mr Maloney OAM was characteristically gracious, quick to share the accolades with colleagues.
“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award, but in reality, I accept this on behalf of the Hotels Have Hearts committee and the entire hotel industry,” he said.
“This journey really started in 2000 when a group of city hoteliers got together and decided to do something about the issue of homelessness – an issue we were literally confronting on our doorsteps.
“This has very much been a team effort – made possible by the generosity of the entire hotel industry. We look forward to continuing the good work in the years to come.”
AHA NSW President Scott Leach said the prestigious award paid tribute to Mr Maloney’s tireless work for the community.
“Kim has spent years working on behalf of those less fortunate,” Mr Leach said.
“His chairmanship of the Hotels Have Hearts committee alone has seen almost $3 million raised for the homeless in this city – and that is just one of the many charitable and community events Kim supports.
“This is an extremely well-deserved award and on behalf of the AHA NSW I offer congratulations to Kim and his family.”
An intimate gathering for around 100 of the industry’s elite attended a surprise gathering organised for Mr Maloney’s at his residence over the weekend, with guests reporting to PubTIC the OAM and party were a fitting honour for the humble hotel veteran.