President's Report
As part of its 2018/19 State Budget the Tasmanian Government allocated $6.8 million to support the growth and development of our industry. This was in recognition of the importance of our industry to the Tasmanian economy and employment in our great state. The Tasmanian Government’s support will help underpin the implementation of the 2018-2022 Tasmanian Hospitality Industry Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan), which will see a wide range of initiatives rolled out over the next four years to support our growing sector. The signs are positive for our restaurants, café’s, hotels, pubs and clubs, as Tasmanians continue to enjoy the quality food, services and produce our state has to offer. And visitor numbers continue to grow, with an increasing demand on our accommodation sector. But this increase in demand presents its own challenges and as a hospitality business owner I am well aware of just how hard the members of our industry work to continue to provide the high quality venues and service for which Tasmania is now renowned. Increasing competition, including the unregulated sharing economy, difficulties in accessing qualified chefs and management staff, workforce shortages, increasing business costs and regulation and tightening access to finance, all place significant pressures on our businesses and present us with significant challenges on a daily basis. Importantly the funding support provided by the Tasmanian Government provides us with an opportunity to develop and implement strategies that can assist in tackling these critical issues and help us to work towards a stronger and more sustainable future for our industry. The Strategic Plan has been endorsed by the Tasmanian Government and will be released in the coming weeks. One of the important initiatives will be the hosting of an ongoing series of industry development forums across Tasmania’s regional areas. These forums will provide local hospitality businesses and enterprises with an opportunity to identify issues that affect their businesses, at the same time as providing an opportunity for us all to look to the future, and discuss where we see the industry heading over the next ten years. I am very much looking forward to being a part of those discussions and to share the thoughts and ideas of hospitality business owners and operators around Tasmania. I t ’ s an exciting time for T asmania ’ s hospitality industry as we head into 2019. carlton united breweries Anita Holdsworth thrives on a challenge. Her appointment as the first female Brewery Manager of Cascade Brewery at CUB in March 2018 is one of many examples of this, and nearly 12 months on Anita’s dynamic and passionate approach has not waivered. ‘Each day presents me with a new problem to solve, encourages me to work with my team on innovative solutions and stretches all of us to be better.’ The greatest challenge facing Anita is the $10 million upgrade that Cascade is currently undergoing. As Brewery Manager, Anita’s role involves managing the site through this development, a task daunting for some, but exciting for her. ‘My aim is to ensure that, as we navigate this change, we don’t lose sight of the reason we are here, which is to make great-tasting beers and ciders for our customers.” Starting at Carlton & United Breweries as National Quality Manager in 2014, Anita knows all about great tasting products. Coming from a background working in microbiology and chemistry, then moving into manufacturing, she was initially attracted to the company by its iconic brand portfolio. Soon, through her involvement with the CUB Supply Team however, she discovered working in a culture of innovation, alongside like-minded colleagues who are as passionate about brewing as she is, was equally rewarding. As a woman working in beer, Anita is part of a vanguard of change in the once male-dominated industry. She says CUB has not shied away from encouraging diversity in the workplace, actively working to engage and retain women. She describes the working environment as ‘a meritocracy: inclusive, dynamic and innovative’, and is excited about the future for women at the company, which she sees as ‘full of potential’. Anita is keen to play a role in shaping this future. She has a passion for helping women in STEM careers, actively encouraging and nurturing talent through mentoring and public speaking. To women in the industry, Anita encourages taking advantage of challenges and seeking the support of managers. As a leader she says: ‘It is our job to help you, teach you, stretch you and develop you. Ask questions, interrogate our thinking, learn from mistakes, innovate, change and grow.’ As for her own future, Anita is ready for whatever opportunities come her way. ‘The only certainty is that I will continue to face challenges with enthusiasm and a firm belief in the work that we are doing.’ FEATURE CUB
February 2019 www.tha.asn.au
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