Nick Daking – pub owner and local councillor – has faced harsh criticism for a dirty joke chalkboard sign outside his Sporties Hotel.
The sign (below) was displayed last Friday, and quickly caused a stir, sparking a petition calling for an apology that has been signed by more than 1,500 people.
“There is nothing funny about perpetuating a hotbed for sexist and ignorant attitudes towards women,” it said in the petition, which highlighted the pub as owned by an elected member of the Launceston City Council.
“… we would hate to think that this is an acceptable attitude held by council members, elected to represent the people of Launceston.”
Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas suggests pubs and clubs should play an important role in shifting sexist culture, by fostering safe use of language and venue design, and taking a stance of zero tolerance to sexual harassment.
Later on Friday, following complaints, the original offending message was replaced by a taunt to appreciate the joke.
Daking owns Sportsmans Hall Hotel – known as ‘Sporties’ – in the northern Tasmanian city of Launceston. He has been a board member of the THA, and is an elected City of Launceston councillor. His prominence has meant several visits to the pub by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, when he has been in the area.
The day after the sign Daking issued an apology on the pub’s social media.
“I would like to sincerely apologise for the message written on our board yesterday. As soon as I became aware of the sign, it was immediately removed. Regards ND”
Later the same day Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten issued a statement of his own, acknowledging that the matter related to a private business, not council, but that he had “expressed my disappointment” to Daking.
“The sign was in poor taste and out of step with community expectations.”
