President's Report
As we finish the busy month of December where we all look to celebrate another year and enjoy time with our families and friends, it is an opportune time to reflect back on 2018 and what we as an association have achieved and dealt with on behalf of our members. As we also look towards 2019, we must all remember that with a Federal election due in the first half of the year, the start to 2019 is going to be busy in more ways than one. I strongly encourage everyone to get their memberships locked in for what is going to be another important 2019 for the hospitality industry. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome two (2) new people to our THA Membership team. Firstly, our new Deputy CEO Chris Symons who will be taking over from Greg Astell at the end of January 2019. Chris has started with our office and will be doing a hand-over with Greg throughout the month of January. Secondly, Nick Roney our Membership and Corporate Engagement Manager who is working hard in his new role and getting out and about and meeting all our members and corporate partners. We welcome both gentlemen to our team and I encourage everyone to contact either of them should they have any membership queries. I would also like to say a big thanks to Steve and the team at the THA for another wonderful year representing our members and industry and also wish all our members and corporate partners a happy and safe Christmas and a prosperous 2019. A focus for the association as we move into 2019 is to implement our strategic plan and government funding to the benefit of the industry. We have $6.8 million in funding over the next 4 years to assist the industry to strengthen and grow. The THA along with the AHA National Office will be working hard to deliver outcomes at the federal level that assist our members also. The AHA National office is in regular contact with politicians and parties from all persuasions as they strive to influence policy decisions that our members need in the upcoming election. With the recent local government elections now held, the industry will need to also maintain a close eye on each council as they look to implement policies and ideas that may affect members of ours in different ways. In the first weekend of May 2019, there will also be three (3) Legislative Council seats up for grabs. Seat Held by Party • Montgomery Leonie Hiscutt Liberal Party • Nelson Jim Wilkinson Independent • Pembroke Jo Siejka Labor Party Once again, the THA will closely monitor each of these elections and study what each candidate is offering to our industry and members and make our members aware. In any election, whether local, state, federal or legislative council, the THA and our members must help elect those members and parties that seek to help our industry. In the end, it is our businesses that must thrive and prosper if we are to employ staff, invest in venues and assist the communities that we live and work in. To keep up with all of the above as we move into 2019, I urge everyone to listen to the THA Podcast show that Steve has implemented every fortnight to replace the written newsletter. It is an easy listening option to keep you up to date with the latest industry information and news. Please read Steve’s article and download the podcast and listen each and every fortnight. It is and will become our way of communicating with the industry.
December 2018 www.tha.asn.au
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