When local resident Hannah Garvan launched a campaign on 25 November 2022 to save the iconic decor in Moreland Hotel from being renovated, it appeared ambitious and unlikely to succeed. After all, if a business decides to renovate, they are well within their rights.
However, Moreland Hotel is not like any pub. The decision to renovate its replica of Michelangelo’s David and surrounding Colosseum (apparently inspired by a trip to Las Vegas in the 80’s) came from its licensee, rather than its owner. The owner of the hotel is Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), a huge corporation that was founded by Australian billionaire, Bruce Mathieson, and part-owned by Woolworths. So,when the licensee, who runs the day-to-day operations of Moreland Hotel, decided that the unusual interior should be gutted and replaced with more access to big screens to view sport, the request was required to be approved by ALH’s board.
While this may have otherwise been a routine business decision, the timing was unfortunate for ALH.
On November 21, a few days before Garvan’s campaign launched, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission released a public statement on ALH’s serious breaches of their obligations under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic). The regulator announced that 80 per cent of pokie machines installed across Australia under the control of ALH were non-compliant with legislation that aims to minimise harm caused by pokie machines. Specifically, the legislation requires all electronic gaming machines to feature an interactive ‘YourPlay display’. YourPlay is an optional tool for people gambling, but is mandatory to install on gambling machines, as it assists people gambling to set limits on the time or money they spend and to monitor their gaming machine play across venues.
ALH and some of the decision-makers within the company are facing significant fines.
The decision to renovate the interior of Moreland Hotel has, according to the licensee, been delayed due to the PR risk created by the campaign.
While a local theatre troupe already has its beady eyes on the David if the renovation plans eventually do go ahead, we would argue that the David and Colosseum would be more widely enjoyed al fresco, in the Coburg mall or surrounds.
By SS and BB
The Coburg Meddler 