1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,960 Speaker 1: Now we know the Northern Territory's finest hospitality talent was 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:08,200 Speaker 1: celebrated in style last night at the Hospitality NT Awards 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:10,920 Speaker 1: for Excellence. Now it was held at the Darwin Ski Club, 4 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: a little bit different two previous years. And joining me 5 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: in the studio right now is the CEO of Hospitality 6 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 1: here in the Northern Territory, Kathy Simmons. Good morning to you, Hi, Katie. 7 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: How are you going? I'm good. How are you feeling 8 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: this morning? 9 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 2: A little bit dusty? I think there's a few sore 10 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 2: heads around Darwin today. 11 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: I think anybody that works in hospitality has probably got 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: a bit of a sore head this morning. 13 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 2: I have full respect for every member of our hospitality 14 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 2: industry who's turned up to work today, Yes, including myself. 15 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 2: To be honest, I'm pretty impressed. 16 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm impressed with everybody because I tell you what, 17 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 1: it's like, the one time of the year where the 18 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 1: hospitality industry gets to turn it on, you know, get 19 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: out there, have a great time, and usually everybody in 20 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: the hospitality industry is out there, you know, serving the 21 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: rest of the Northern Territory and helping the rest of 22 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: the end. So it's a wonderful night to celebrate. 23 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 2: It is really beautiful industry to celebrate. It was a 24 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 2: beautiful night last night. Thank goodness the rain held off 25 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:08,680 Speaker 2: until today. If this had been happening last night, I 26 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 2: would have been really distrayed for my first awards as CEO. 27 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 2: But it did hold off. All the crystals and prayers 28 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 2: and everything that I tried worked, so it was something worked. 29 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 2: So you know, it's been, it's been. It was a 30 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 2: beautiful night last night. It was really so how many 31 00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 2: people were there, It was about five hundred people, which 32 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 2: pretty pretty good turnout. We're definitely really happy with that. 33 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 2: And I think, well, you know, certainly the feedback we're 34 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 2: getting from being at the ski club, being outside supposed 35 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 2: to beautiful, dry season, evening bit humid, but that's okay. 36 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 2: We got a lot of really good feedback from the night, 37 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 2: so we'll look on improving that going forward as well. 38 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 1: And some amazing, amazing businesses were indeed recognized, I mean 39 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: nominated as well. The Hilton Darwin. They really dominated the 40 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: awards last night, didn't they. 41 00:01:57,040 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, Hilton Darwin, but the Hilton Group, so the Garden 42 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 2: In and the Double Tree by Hilton as well. They 43 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 2: absolutely are yeah, cleaned up the Accommodation Awards. They've been 44 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 2: doing a lot of work on their their venues to 45 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 2: upgrade the rooms and upgrade the service offering and they 46 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 2: definitely are very deserving winners from last night and I know. 47 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: Making a big impact on the hospitality scene this year 48 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: was the newcomers the Cinema Collective. Talk us through who 49 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 1: that is and and you know and what they've done, 50 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:29,120 Speaker 1: I think most people will know. But pretty awesome venue 51 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:30,119 Speaker 1: that's now opened. 52 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, that's Sweethearts and Flicks down on Mitchell Street. 53 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,079 Speaker 2: Really huge entrant onto Mitchell Street and kind of changing 54 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 2: the game a bit down there. It's it's been really 55 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: good to see them enter. I think there's a lot 56 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 2: of people around town who've been down to see the 57 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 2: here they're doing jeweling pianos and definitely, you know, something 58 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:53,119 Speaker 2: different and interesting in Darwin. So it's beenen really good 59 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 2: and we're definitely hearing a lot of visitors really like 60 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 2: it as well. It's just you know, something you really 61 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:00,080 Speaker 2: don't expect from Darwin scene, and it's so. 62 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: Like it's actually so good to see that end of 63 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: the city quite activated again, you know, to see it 64 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: bustling in years gone by. It did, and I know 65 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:11,960 Speaker 1: that was something that Justin Coleman had spoken about on 66 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: stage last night, said that, you know, those the venues 67 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: that have been at that location over the years, for 68 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:20,240 Speaker 1: anybody that's stilled here for a long time, you know, 69 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: you're talking Sizzlo, You're talking you know the cinema used 70 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 1: to be there in Dutch nuts. Yeah, and now it's 71 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: you know, it is back to bustling, which I think 72 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: is a great thing for Darwin and for the Northern 73 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: Territory more generally. 74 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, and I know Justin and his partners these 75 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 2: team have plans, big plans for that venue going forward 76 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 2: as well. 77 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: They've definitely got more. 78 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 2: We've got more to see from the Cinema collective. 79 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: And the Palmerston Golf and Country Club, well, they they 80 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: did really well also, Yeah. 81 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 2: They cleaned up as well. They've they've they've been fantastic, 82 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 2: best overall club and best club service as well. Definitely 83 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 2: very deserving down there. They've been really, really, really good. 84 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 1: And I know I'd noticed follow us up on stage 85 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: as well that the Dundee Beach Tavern will they picked 86 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 1: up a few awards too. 87 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's right. They were big winners last year as 88 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 2: well at the awards and they're cleaning up again this year, 89 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 2: so that's really great to see. And last year as well, 90 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 2: Dundee Beach to having won Best Overall Rural Venue at 91 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: the National Awards, so representing the territory on the national stage. 92 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 2: So they'll be going back to Nationals this year with 93 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 2: this win as well. 94 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: Yeah. I was going to say what happens now, Kathy, like, 95 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 1: is it a situation where those winners then get to 96 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 1: go away for the National Industry Awards to represent us? 97 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 2: Yeah? That's right. So not every one of our awards 98 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: aligns to the National Awards, but the ones that do 99 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 2: will ll be going to Queensland in November for the 100 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,159 Speaker 2: National Awards AHA Awards. 101 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 1: And obviously the awards last night recognized some of the 102 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 1: phenomenal venues well all of the phenomenal venues really across 103 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 1: the NT, but also some of the people working in 104 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: those venues that are like the heart and soul really 105 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 1: you'd have to say of the hospitality industry. 106 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah, that's right. We've had some amazing employee winners 107 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 2: this year as well. And I think also when talking 108 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 2: about the venue winners as well. When everyone was coming 109 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 2: up and accepting their awards, everyone was really clear about 110 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 2: celebrating the people that are really driving those venues as well. 111 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 2: But we do have a number of employee awards which 112 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,479 Speaker 2: are just really fantastic. We put those at the front 113 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: like they're just you know, it's so great to see 114 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 2: celebrate the kind of up and coming people in our 115 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 2: industry as well, so I can read about So we 116 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:43,919 Speaker 2: had apprentice and Apprentice of the Year Amelia Love at 117 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: the Berry Springs Tavern. She's really fantastic, Like she's like, 118 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 2: keep an eye on her because she's going place is 119 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,919 Speaker 2: gonna be incredible. Marketing, Sales and Events. Employee of the 120 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 2: Year Felicity Lawyers at the Middle Beach Casino Resort for 121 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 2: service excellence front of House Todd Clark at the Another 122 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 2: Hilton Group winner and Hospitality Industry Rising Star Award Joe 123 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 2: Lynch at the Nuvete, mccurre and Iris Resorts at the 124 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 2: Darwin Airport. Really fantastic to see these guys coming up. 125 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 1: Well, and I'm happy to like, I think it's great 126 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 1: to recognize them and good to hear their names. Good 127 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: for them to get that recognition as well, you know 128 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:25,279 Speaker 1: today having a nice stress last night, But it's so 129 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: good for them to be recognized. You know, you work 130 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,159 Speaker 1: so hard, whatever industry you're in, you work so hard 131 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 1: and you don't look for that recognition, but when you 132 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: get it, it's a really nice plus. 133 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's good to see these stuff coming from 134 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: a variety of our venues as well. It's you know, 135 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 2: it just really shows that there's so much talent in 136 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:47,160 Speaker 2: every corner of our hospitality industry in the territory, I should. 137 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: Say, Yeah, and so much happening really across the hospitality 138 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: industry too, Kathy, I mean, is that why those that 139 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: event last night is such an important one, you know, 140 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: for for all those businesses, but also for those you know, 141 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: for the different individuals work in the hospital industry to 142 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 1: get that recognition. 143 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 2: I think that's right, you know, I think you know, 144 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 2: you can definitely see people who work in the hospitality 145 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 2: industry sometimes get kind of taken for granted, which is 146 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: a real shame because the entire industry is about making 147 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 2: someone else's day better. So those people who do that 148 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 2: and work every day to do that should be celebrated 149 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 2: and recognized. And even if it is only, you know, 150 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 2: one or two nights a year. It's really important to 151 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: do that. 152 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree. Well, Hospitality and T CEO Kathy Simmons, 153 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: good to catch up with you this morning. Thank thank you, 154 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: good luck for the rest of the day. Thank you. 155 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 1: I need it for you and everybody in the hospitality 156 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: and stuff. 157 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 2: Good on you.