NEWS & EVENTS

Tourism SA has pit wine and sport at the centre of its new ad campaign. Food and drink are a key theme of the first stage of the campaign, commencing with television spots ‘The Simple Pleasure of a Long, Long Lunch’, ‘The Simple Pleasure of Pipis to Plate’, and ‘Harvest Eyes’, all which are designed to highlight the state’s beauty and its philosophy towards food and drink. The campaign highlights local creativity and culture, brought to life through a collection of works by SA artists, photographers, musicians, makers, and creatives – intended to authentically capture the essence of South Australia.

Hunter St. Hospitality CEO Frank Tucker is set to open the doors on The Collective, an expansive, multi-venue precinct in the 1881 heritage-listed Argyle Store building Argyle Store’s building (the former premises of The Argyle, an iconic Sydney club which ran since 2007). The precinct promises 1,800 square metres of contemporary dining and drinking set among the historic charm of The Rocks.

“Hospitality precincts are having a moment in Sydney, and their appeal is only growing. With The Collective, we saw a chance to do something special – breathing new life into heritage spaces that deserve to be experienced, not just admired. Ther’s a lot to uncover once you step inside, and we hope it becomes a hidden gem for anyone looking to see a different side of the city,” says Tucker.

According to Tucker, each venue has a distinct personality but shares the common thread of culinary and cocktail craftsmanship. “Together, they celebrate both the heritage and future of one of Sydney’s most iconic neighbourhoods,” says Tucker

Crystalbrook Kingsley is set to make a significant mark on Newcastle’s dining scene with the arrival of Executive Chef Thomas Heinrich. A culinary powerhouse with over three decades of experience, Chef Heinrich’s world-class credentials re-affirm the hotel as an unmissable dining destination. Having previously cooked for the likes of Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey and led critically acclaimed kitchens around the globe including Fifty-Seven Fifty-Seven in New York City, Chef Heinrich’s arrival is poised to make waves in the region.

Who said Oktoberfest had to happen in October? Never content to blindly follow tradition, Matilda Bay Brewery in Healesville, located in the picturesque Yarra Valley, will host Oktoberfest in the large venue carpark on the weekend of 12-14 November. The brewery team invite you to dust off your lederhosen and join them under their own big top to enjoy steins of Matilda Bay’s beers brewed on-site, days of entertainment and a feast of traditional German food.

A 10 storey apartment block without a a planning permit, let alone an occupant has forced Fitzroy icon The Night Cat to start a gofundme campaign to raise the 60 grand they are going to need to tackle the developer from taking the live music institution  to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), with claims it’s consistently exceeding noise limits. 

The two parties met at the tribunal less than a fortnight ago. In support of its claim, the developer presented four sets of acoustic reports collected by three separate consultants between October 2023 and April 2024. It argued that even though its non-existent building isn’t impacted, The Night Cat’s noise output is “substantial” and poses “a risk and harm to the community”.

Protections for Victoria’s live music venues were strengthened in September 2014 when the government introduced the “agent of change” principle. It compels new residential developments within 50 metres of an existing live music venue to take appropriate soundproofing measures.

Wine Australia welcomes the appointment of its new CEO Dr Martin Cole, commencing 15 November 2021. Dr Cole joins Wine Australia from the University of Adelaide, where he is the Head of School, Agriculture, Food and Wine.

Wine Australia Chair Dr Michele Allan said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr Cole as the new CEO, after what’s been a highly competitive recruitment process, and know that he’ll be a great asset to the Australian grape and wine community and our levy payers.

Dr Cole, who takes over from Andreas Clark said, “I am excited to be joining Wine Australia at this critical time. Grape and wine is such an important sector for Australia but faces many challenges and opportunities. Without doubt, excellent collaboration and world best practice innovation will be critical to driving future growth and profitability for our stakeholders”.