“Raising the Bar” is Diageo’s global programme to support pubs, bars and clubs to re-open, rebuild and recover following the Covid-19 pandemic. They are genuine industry partners and support the on-premise industry who are at the heart of our purpose ‘Celebrating life, every day, everywhere’.

In collaboration with Bundaberg Rum, the “Raising the Bar” fund will invest $11.5 million in the immediate-term and the next 12-24 months to help on-premise venues in Australia adapt and emerge stronger from this crisis.

The fund will provide targeted support that includes practical equipment to promote safe indoor and outdoor socialising as well as safe experiences and safe sport. It will also be used to build consumer confidence to return to their local and increase patronage.

The Raising the Bar fund will be released in stages, with support for indoor and outdoor safe socialising taking immediate priority. It will not include any payment of cash (or cash equivalent, such as discounts or free goods comprising Diageo products) to selected outlets, and no requirement to purchase any Diageo products as a condition of the Raising the Bar fund support.

If you are a pub owner and you would like support from the fund for the immediate or longer-term, please visit Diageo Website - click here

QHA Toowoomba Region Hotelier’s Meeting

Thank you to the hoteliers and QHA partners who attended the Toowoomba Region Hoteliers lunch hosted by Richard Bowly at the Southern Hotel, Toowoomba. PFD Food services again showcased their generosity, providing a light lunch for all attendees and our beverage partners kept all guests well hydrated throughout.

The final licensees meeting for 2020 is the Sunshine Coast Region to be held on Tuesday 24 November. Hotelier’s from the Sunshine Coast region will receive details of the event via post and email.

Christmas Function bookings

It is positive to hear that many venues are already being inundated with Christmas function bookings considering the adverse trading conditions we are all currently faced with. The reality is we will not know what restriction we will be working under in November and December, all we can do it operate with the information at hand. One question that always gets asked at this time of year is ‘can minors attend their work Christmas party at the hotel if their parents are not there?’ The answer is YES. A minor is permitted on the premises when attending a function – a Christmas party in a private function room or is consuming a meal – with a group enjoying a meal as part of their Christmas party celebrations. However, if the party group move to the public bar for drinks after their meal or function booking then the minor can only remain if they are accompanied by a responsible adult who is responsibly supervising them. The QLD Liquor Act defines a responsible adult as a parent, step parent or guardian of the minor, or an adult who has parental rights and responsibilities for the minor. If no-one in the Christmas party group fits these criteria then after the function or dinner the minor is no longer an exempt minor and will need to leave the licenced premises