Tributes

DAVID BASHEER - President, AHA|SA

Watch Video Tribute from David Basheer: https://youtu.be/jhGr1QbOsJc

PETER MALINAUSKAS MP - Premier of South Australia

For so many of us, the AHA is synonymous with Ian Horne.

For 31 years Ian has steered the Association through some of the most challenging of times. But despite obstacles the sector has matured and thrived, and now generates $4 billion a year for the South Australian economy – a great testament to the AHA and his steady leadership.

His is an enviable track record of success as a master negotiator, not least because history showed he won the lion’s share of his battles.

And on a personal level, I have always welcomed his insight and his candour, even when we’ve been on opposite sides of a dispute.

Most of all, Ian has been respected for being a man who always operated with integrity, a fact recognised and acknowledged by both sides of politics.

His wisdom and his counsel have been of great benefit to our state’s hospitality and tourism sectors, and I am pleased to hear that he will remain involved with the AHA in an advisory capacity. You can take the man out of the industry, but you can’t take the industry out of the man.

As he moves to this next phase in his life, he has every reason to be proud of the legacy he leaves in this state and beyond.

Thank you, Ian, for everything you’ve contributed to South Australia, and I look forward to raising a glass with you soon.

SENATOR DON FARRELL - Minister for Trade and Tourism

Hotels are at the heart of our hospitality and tourism sectors.

Whether it’s a charming country pub, or five-star city accommodation, they all make vital contributions to our visitor economy, and to our social fabric.

In South Australia, Ian Horne’s contribution to our state’s tourism and hospitality sectors, over more than three decades, has been immeasurable.

I first met Ian nearly 40 years ago and have always been impressed by his dedication to the industry.

Ian has been a great leader for the industry in South Australia and leaves it in great shape as he hands the reins over.

I congratulate Ian on a great career and wish him all the best in his retirement.

PETER HURLEY AO - Former AHA|SA Vice President & AHA|SA Life Member

Ian entered the AHA family to head up our Group Training Scheme. The late Bill Spurr AO identified his talent and promoted Ian to manage our newly formed IR Advocacy service.

Then, when Bill departed in 1985 to head up the school of Tourism & Hospitality at Adelaide TAFE, the AHA Council had no hesitation in replacing him, from within our own ranks, with Ian Horne.

What an incredibly inspired and successful decision that proved to be.

Ian’s credibility as an industry advocate has been based on his honesty.

You are not taken seriously by the bureaucrats, regulators, media and political operatives over a long time, if they think you are a bull duster.

It’s the trust that follows the perception of honesty that leverages your ability to influence outcomes that are important for the state, for AHA membership, and the tourism and hospitality industry at large. That trust and respect is why Ian was appointed to committees and boards in the IR domain, festival & event boards, training, economic recovery, venue management and most notably the SA Tourism Commission for many years.

“His major achievements over this long career will be well documented by others but include:

• driving the introduction of gaming to the industry’s service offer

• the creation and licensing of IGC as the sole, industry-funded monitoring authority

• creation of world-leading harm minimisation strategies

• seeing off the political aspirations of those who sought to destroy the industry

• and much more.

The broad tourism industry, the entire hospitality sector and AHA membership have been massive beneficiaries of his intellect and negotiating skills. The Hurley family have also benefited from that, with a close family friendship with Ian and Lyndsay that will doubtless transcend his tenure at the AHA.

PETER BRIEN - Former AHA|SA Vice President & AHA|SA Life Member

The AHA|SA has evolved from being an organisation that was mainly worried about the price of pints, to being almost a political organisation. We’ve been very fortunate that we’ve had the right people at the right time.

When the late Bill Spurr AO announced his resignation, I remember our President, Peter Whallin, ringing me up and saying ‘We’re never going to get another Bill Spurr.’ We didn’t. We got Ian Horne, which has been fantastic. But then Ian thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence and went off to the Motor Trade Association for a while. Eventually we got him back and he’s been fantastic.

Ian’s ability to appreciate the problems and issues of owner operators, at the same time as handling issues which affected the groups, was outstanding. Across the whole gamut of the industry, from on premise food & beverage, take away liquor, gaming, IR and anything else which cropped up, Ian had a handle on it. He was a confidant of publicans from city and country, large and small.

The industry has been very privileged to have had the services of a great bloke.

MARK HENLEY - Life Member SACOSS Chair of the former Heads of Christian Churches Gambling Taskforce

Ian Horne is retiring – and about time too!

Though I confess this is not an original response, Ian said the same about me last year when I (semi) retired. His retirement has caused me to reflect on engaging with Ian for the better part of 30 years, I’m no doubt best known by the AHA for advocacy opposing the introduction and proliferation of poker machines, but there were matters we agreed on too.

One of my first memories of Ian, however, predates pubs, pokies and politics. It was a camping ground in Devonport, Tasmania in the Summer of 1979. There was a group of us one summer evening, swigging Stone’s green ginger wine and a local brew, who’s nomenclature was described by a guy in the bottle shop as “boags, bo-ags or bogs.”

Still, the brew was cold and tasted OK. We were both travelling around Tasmania, albeit in opposite directions, though with many a friend in common. To both groups Ian, of course, was with the motor cyclists, riding his 750 Honda.

I’d known of Ian as son of Rev KD Horne, Director of Home Missions with Churches of Christ and Ian was one of many sons of the Manse who were great mates and knew how to enjoy life. It’s fair to say that they all retained strong values in a diversity of careers. Ian’s passion was motors and he trained as a mechanic. He was always keen to test the smoothness of the acceleration from the motors that he worked on!

Fast forward to early 1990s, when there was a strong push from the hotels and clubs sectors to introduce poker machines into South Australia. I was Chair of SACOSS, the SA Council of Social Service and as our members were adamant that poker machines would cause harm for many people, we campaigned actively against their introduction.

I vividly remember leading a delegation to meet with Premier, John Bannon and eloquently putting our case for the Government to reject the proposal to legislate to bring pokies into SA. I recall concluding our case and the Premier looking me in the eye and saying “I agree with everything that you have said Mark”. My pulse quickened momentarily thinking that our campaign had been successful.

“But” the Premier continued, “we need them to help boost the economy.” And with the long shadows of the State Bank debt looming over the State Budget … my heart sank. Ian Horne had beaten us to the Cabinet, the die was cast. South Australia was going to have poker machines.

I won’t re-prosecute our case against pokies, nor the detail of subsequent campaigns and challenges – some things we’ll never agree on, rather I reflect on Ian Horne as a fellow advocate, seeking to improve life for the people of our fantastic state.

A few years later and another Premier, Mike Rann, and another pokies debate, I recall walking into the visitor’s gallery at Parliament House for the debate. The gallery was full of AHA members - and the Premier played to this gallery for the entire debate.

Ian Horne again, impeccably organised and knowing which strategy to apply when. And it wasn’t just one element of a strategy, there were media stories from hoteliers in every media outlet, visits to parliamentarians and more.

Ian was always meticulously organised, clear about what he wanted to achieve for his members, clear who his allies were, clear who was likely to be opposing and had a clear strategy obviously backed 100% by the AHA Board and executives. This is part of what has made Ian an outstanding AHA CEO.

While I haven’t seen Ian in action behind closed doors at the AHA offices, I suspect that his persona with members, the Board and staff is much the same as his persona outside the AHA walls. He is always calm (or at least giving that impression) and clear in his role and plan. He is rational and methodical in executing any campaign. I can’t recall ever hearing Ian raise his voice. It’s also been my observation that Ian doesn’t mind a little mischief from time to time. For example, I’d have an interview on a social policy topic with Matt (Abraham) and David (Bevan) on ABC mornings and the interview would conclude with a question like “why do you like the casino so much?” I suspect that Ian had found a way to stir the pot, to his advantage – but we might never be sure. He is adept at giving the right words to the right people at the right time. For the record, I had and have no favour for any casino.

I also reflect that, arguably, Ian’s greatest strength is that he has always been respectful - unlike other parts of the gambling industry. He has never sought to intimidate or to belittle people who disagree. Above all Ian was, is and remains a decent human being who treats colleagues and opponents alike with dignity and respect.

The mechanic has kept the AHA engine purring with every part of the machinery tuned and balanced and the components working together in harmony. He also knows how the mechanics of government work too.

Of course, apart from being a sensational advocate, he is good fun to be with, ideally sharing a beer, a Jasmin curry or a decent red. Best wishes with whatever comes next. Congratulations Ian.

ROB LUCAS - Former Treasurer of South Australia

Ian Horne commenced his career with the AHA in 1983 which was a year after I entered Parliament, which means I have had the pleasure of interacting with Ian and the AHA for about 40 years.

So I have lost count of the number of `interactions` I have had with Ian and the AHA over those years. Whenever I saw DoubleH in the diary (Horne and Hurley!) I knew I was going to get the detail of the AHA view on some issue, or issues!

So much has changed in that time, including the introduction of the casino and gaming machines, together with gambling regulation and taxation changes, smoking bans, trading regimes and the challenge of interactive gambling options.

Unless you were actively involved in the 90`s debate on gaming machines you can`t fully understand the complexity, intrigue, controversy and political manoeuvring of that time.

Ian and the AHA were obviously actively engaged throughout that debate with Clubs SA and all other interested parties, lobbying all MPs because it had been designated as a conscience vote for MPs.

Ian and the AHA were active participants in negotiating amendments and seeking compromise to try and gather the numbers to achieve the objective of the AHA and Clubs SA.

Ultimately it was a single vote in the Legislative Council which was finally confirmed late at night that saw the passage of the legislation which has meant so much to the hotel industry.

This debate demonstrated clearly many of Ian`s attributes working on behalf of his members. He was always well briefed with exceptional knowledge of the hotel sector and together with his common sense, patience, sense of humour and willingness to compromise was a key factor in helping achieve what his members wanted.

I was forever grateful for Ian sharing every month the monthly NGR figures which he used to remind me of the impact of smoking bans and other changes on the viability of the hotel sector! After some years when I stopped receiving them, I asked to be reinstated and I was delighted to see the significant turnaround in those figures which I quoted back to him whenever hotel sector viability was discussed!

Ian of course also helped put the AHA view on many other policies which impacted all industries, such as workers compensation, health and safety, federal taxation and industrial relations changes.

Whilst we didn`t always agree on issues I have always enjoyed my personal interactions with Ian over those 40 years. Whether in opposition or government, Ian was always prepared to take a call or have a meeting to explain the AHA view on an issue. The AHA has benefitted from this approach and Ian`s commitment.

At the end of those 40 years the only changes I noticed was that he had a lot less hair and he stopped drinking alcohol with me!

I wish Ian good health and happiness in his future challenges and issue a cautionary note that grandchildren offer as many challenges as managing AHA members!

CAM PEARCE - Executive Director, Coopers Brewery

Ian has served the AHA in SA as CEO for over three decades. It is an extraordinary achievement and testimony to his dedication and the complex set of skills he possesses in leading such an iconic and influential Association.

He is an expert in Association management.

He has made an outstanding contribution to the hotel and tourism industry and the hospitality sector as a whole. Wherever he travels he is well known.

As CEO he has demonstrated both nuanced political and policy skills as well as tough hard campaigning work when needed.

He has been a tireless worker in pursuing the interests of his members.

Along the journey he has always acknowledged the support of the brewing industry and Coopers has enjoyed a very good working relationship as we have navigated the various overlapping challenges our broader industry faces together.

He will be greatly missed and at a personal level, having known Ian for a long time, I will miss his insightful conversation and understanding of the political environment and his cheerful disposition.

His retirement is well earned but his experience and commitment to hotels, hospitality and tourism will not be lost to our marvellous industry as he pursues other interests but still close to home.

STEPHEN FERGUSON - CEO, National AHA

When I was lucky enough to be appointed to the AHA back in 2015, one of the best tips I got was to “make sure you touch base with Ian Horne as soon as you can”. From my background running two racecourses and a licenced club, I was familiar with the hospitality industry and many of the industry stakeholders.

However, I was new to the AHA way of doing things –especially as it related to the Association’s own internal culture and processes.

The AHA is a big complex organisation with 5,000 members spread over eight branches and a wide range of issues it must deal with at the state and federal levels.

The membership itself is diverse, with members ranging from small country pubs to metropolitan five-star hotels – and everything in between.

So, I copped the tip early on and spent time talking with Ian … and the conversation has never really ceased.

I was smart enough to realise that when I didn’t know something, Ian probably would – and he never let me down.

There is no one else in the AHA who has a better political antenna or is a better people manager.

When we set out on the path to amalgamate with the Accommodation Association, then National President Scott Leach made the inspired decision to have Ian assist me with all the legal, financial and cultural complexities.

The amalgamated accommodation division commences on 1 July.

It simply would not have happened without Ian.

Ian certainly is a man of many talents – I wish him all the best – and I am glad he will still only be a phone call away!

MARTIN FERGUSON AM - Chairman, National AHA

The retirement of Ian Horne as CEO of the AHA South Australia sees the departure of one of the hospitality sectors most outstanding leaders, at both a state and national level.

Over many years, Ian has steered the industry through a period of dramatic changes, it being more attractive and community-orientated today than when he first took the job.

Whilst the introduction of gaming machines into pubs and clubs is probably the most revolutionary change under his stewardship, the biggest change is in the culture of the industry. When Ian started, pubs and clubs were seen as male orientated, with limited trading hours including no Sunday trade and little to offer other than alcohol in a smoke-filled environment.

Today, our hotels are modern community orientated venues that offer family and friends a range of offerings including high class meals, event facilities and accommodation. For many young people setting out to work they also represent their first taste of employment in an inviting environment.

As you also drive around the Adelaide CBD, suburbs and regions the dramatic change in accommodation offerings is also in stark contrast to the old days. Tourism is now a vital part of the Australian and local economies with major international chains now aggressively pursuing local opportunities.

Ian’s wealth of experience and wisdom was recently called upon to assist nationally in helping to facilitate the long outstanding merger of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association of Australia. The success of these discussions will be to the long-term benefit of Australia and Ian’s role was instrumental in helping achieve this outcome.

Ian’s standing as an outstanding hospitality leader also saw him appointed to a range of Board’s including the SA.Tourism Commission, Business Events Adelaide, Host Plus, Hospitality Group Training and Independent Gaming Corporation where he made a highly valued and respected contribution.

We wish Ian, Lyndsay and extended family a long, healthy and enjoyable retirement. The hospitality sector today is more prosperous, vibrant, and attractive than when you first entered it.

Ian thank you for a job well done!

ANDREW DANIELS - Chairman, Adelaide Venue Management Corporation & South Australian Motorsport Board

I have had the privilege of working with Ian for over twenty years on the development of both tourism and major events in South Australia. This connection has been through his position as head of the Australian Hotels Association and also as a long standing Director of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

Ian has always been a staunch supporter of the importance of major events in attracting people and business to South Australia, and also in ensuring that the hotel sector grasps the benefits that can flow from these events.

Ian has been a consummate professional. Eloquently, (and fiercely at times) putting forward the views of the hotel sector on issues as they arise and, when necessary, standing up to governments of all persuasions for the benefit of hoteliers.

While I wish Ian all the very best for his retirement, I do note that we are very fortunate that Ian will be retaining an involvement as a Member of the Board of the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation. In this position, I am sure Ian will be continuing his relentless push to further grow our conference and convention business for the continuing benefit of the hotel sector and South Australia as a whole.