O N E
F O R
T H E
R O A D
W I T H
V A U G H A N Y
Scott’s Spot Hello all and welcome to the first edition of Scott’s Spot for 2021. This month’s edition will cover the usual short stories, photos and random observations over the last couple of months while sharing the story of Steph and Bach Tran, publicans at The Lord Melbourne Hotel in North Adelaide. Heading back in time to December 2020 and having a quiet beverage at the beautifully renovated Strathmore Hotel after the President’s luncheon with Trevor “Seagull” Evans, publican of the Wombat Hotel. Anyway, up walked Trevor Evans, retired AHA|SA staff member to say hello when I had this awkward moment thinking that the Trevor’s knew each other, but I wasn’t sure. I introduced them waiting for the old “of course we’ve met” and to my surprise - they had never met! However they had spoken a number of times over the phone in the last dozen or so years.
panic, I wrapped the chips in a hurry and threw them straight in the bin while being crapped on. After composing myself after a couple of minutes, I’ve reached for my pocket to grab my phone before realising it was on the bottom of the locked council bin, wrapped up with my half-eaten chips. At least the 18 year old duty manager at Foodland was amused and thankfully located a key for the bin. See photo of Lucy Randall’s creation covering the event perfectly.
As expected, turnouts were strong with the importance of personal interaction on show. There is a story regarding Brad Barreau’s arrival in Whyalla at 8am on the Monday before the Regional.
I would have thought it was a 10km walk in the Desert listening to the story!!
On a more serious note, Lucindale in the state’s South East was ravaged by a major bushfire in early January with homes and structures being lost.
Long story short, I was eating a healthy bag of hot chips on a park bench in the centre of town when my chips and I were attacked by what must have been 20 plus seagulls! In a state of shock and
It was a massive relief to have the Regionals back and thanks to both the Westlands Hotel in Whyalla and the Highlander Hotel in Adelaide for hosting the meetings.
After messaging Stephen Firth at the Sundowner Hotel of his arrival for a prearranged pick up, there was no response so after a period of time, Brad decided “drifter” style to grab his back pack and trek the 2.2km, 27 minute walk which I checked on Google Maps.
Great opportunity to take a snap of the Trevors’ together at last!
Speaking of seagulls and without wanting to be too self-indulgent, I want to share a terrifying moment for me in Wallaroo before heading to the Weeroona Hotel late 2020.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
As always in small communities, and with the Lucindale Hotel heavily involved with major fundraising events, in excess of $200k has been raised as at the 7th February with that figure likely to rise substantially. Thankfully, no lives were lost and hoping the region is now on the road to recovery.
Once out on the highway, a mature aged lady driving a delivery van stopped and asked Brad for a lift which was gleefully accepted, although he was squashed into the front seat surrounded by and holding boxes and could barely get his seatbelt on. So where was Stephen? He simply thought the pickup was 8pm not 8am. Here’s a photo of Brad waiting to be picked up.
AHA|SA AWARDS Congratulations to all nominees, category winners and of course the Marion Hotel for winning Hotel of the Year in what was a spectacular evening with hosts, the Entertainment Centre, once again doing an amazing job under the COVID Safe Guidelines.
34 | Hotel SA | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U
Back to Contents
