Here's Cheers - The QHA Podcast

Tracy Hatch of the Wellshot Hotel

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

The Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe is an absolutely legendary hotel on the road between Barcaldine and Longreach. Bernie Hogan visits the pub to chat with Tracy Hatch. A former Hotelier of the Year, Tracy runs the pub, is a local councillor and is generally a wonderful advocate for our women hoteliers in regional areas. On the road for the QHA this interview is as down to earth as the place itself, recorded in the pub with road trains going by! Enjoy.

Kate Fraser of The Seaview Cooktown

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:00:00 +1000

Bernie Hogan has an interesting chat with Kate Fraser from The Seaview Cooktown about the ups and downs of renovating and operating a 5 star accommodation property in FAAAAAR North Queensland.

Chris Kemlo of The Calile Hotel, Brisbane

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the Here's Cheers! podcast, with your host - CEO of the Queensland Hotels Association - Bernie Hogan. In a spotlight episode on QHA accommodation members, Bernie spends some time chatting with Chris Kemlo, the General Manager of The Calile Hotel in Brisbane. We hope you enjoy the insights and lessons shared by Chris.

Paul Waterson of Australian Venue Co

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Welcome to Here's Cheers, the offical podcast of the Queensland Hotels Association. In our 25th episode, host Bernie Hogan spends some quality time talking to Paul Waterson, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Venue Co. The two discuss current trends in the hospitality industry, and what operators should be expecting in their area in years to come.

Craig Shearer of Kickon Group

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the new episode of Here's Cheers! where Bernie Hogan - your host and the CEO of the Queensland Hotels Association - enjoys in-depth chats with inspiring operators in the Queensland hotels, pubs, restaurant and accommodation industry. This episode features Craig Shearer, one of the founders of Kickon group, where he shares some of his insights and industry knowledge. Enjoy!

Chris Unger of Redcape Hospitality

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the first 2026 episode of Here’s Cheers, the official podcast of the Queensland Hotels Association. In this episode, your host Bernie Hogan enjoys a long chat with Chris Unger, Managing Director of Redcape Hospitality about the exciting things the group has been up to in Queensland, what they love about the State, and much more. Thank you to our valued partners - Konami, and Simon George & Sons - for supporting the QHA and the Here's Cheers Podcast.

Paul McMahon live in Townsville

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +1000

This episode is recorded with QHA CEO Bernie Hogan, on the road, at a live member's meeting at the Seaview Hotel in Townsville. Here Bernie talks to businessman and QHA board member Paul McMahon about his resilience and insights into the Queensland hospitality sector.

Les Pullos - the Royal George Hotel and more

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +1000

QHA's Bernie Hogan enjoys a great catchup with hospitality legend Les Pullos at one of his iconic venues, the RG - the Royal George Hotel - in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.

John Collins - Night-Life Economy Commissioner

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +1000

Bernie Hogan, QHA Chief Executive, sits down for a chat John Collins, famous as bassist for Brisbane band Powderfinger and a well-known contributor to the night-life sector, who now serves as Queensland’s first Night-Life Economy Commissioner.

Luci and Toby Black of the Full Moon Hotel in Sandgate.

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +1000

Queensland Hotels Association CEO Bernie Hogan, drives 25 minutes up the road to the sunny suburb of Sandgate on the north side of Brisbane to catch up with Luci and Toby Black of the Full Moon Hotel - a recent QHA Awards for Excellence winner. At the 2025 awards ceremony, the Full Moon Hotel had a win in the Best Bistro - Metropolitan category, and also achieved Hall of Fame status for their Bottlemart Bottleshop in Boondall. Enjoy the chat!

Matt Newberry of Catchment Brewing and Michael Johnson of Accommodation Australia

Mon, 15 May 2023 15:00:00 +1000

Bernie Hogan, QHA Chief Executive, sits down for a chat about brands, brewing and beers with Matt Newberry of Brisbane's Catchment Brewing, and gains some insight into the accommodation industry with Michael Johnson, CEO of Accommodation Australia.

David Shillington and the Jesbergs of Rix Hotel

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +1000

Enjoy the first episode of Here's Cheers for 2023 . QHA's Bernie Hogan chats with ex-NRL star David Shillington about mental health and hits the road to Charters Towers to catch up with Jane and Noel Jesberg of the Rix Hotel.

Lawrence Springborg and Kristy Coomber

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +1000

Bernie Hogan chats with Lawrence Springborg in Goodiwindi and spends time with Kristy Coomber of the resurrected Mucka Pub in Muckadilla.

Sarah Swan and Sam O'Toole

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:00:00 +1000

QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan talks ER and shares some employers festive season tips with Sarah Swan of the QHA. He also spends some quality time with Mayor for Balonne Shire, Samantha O'Toole.

David Punter and Matt Coorey

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Here's Cheers QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan talks gaming with David Punter of Konami Australia and has an in-depth chat about the hotel business with one of QHA's Vice Presidents, Matt Coorey.

Jack George and the Porter family

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +1000

The QHA's Bernie Hogan talks all things fruit and veg with Jack George of Simon George and Sons, and has an in-depth talk about the hotel business with the Porter family of Porters Plainland Hotel.

Dave Baswal and Terri Butler

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:00:00 +1000

From his Here's Cheers studio on the road, QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan takes some time out of his Canberra QHA trip to talk with Dave Baswal, MD of the Ovolo Group, as well as with Federal Member for Griffith, Terri Butler. This podcast is graciously supported by Konami and Simon George & Sons.

Rick Adams and Milton Dick

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Here's Cheers QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan talks hotel business, renovations and more with Rick Adams of the Central Lane Hotel in Gladstone. Bernie is also joined by Milton Dick, Federal member for Oxley for a chat in ”The Broom Closet” (aka the Here’s Cheers recording studio) at the QHA offices in Brisbane. This podcast is graciously supported by Konami and Simon George & Sons.

Michael Healy and Richard Deery

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +1000

In this episode QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan talks with the Assistant Tourism Minister and State Labor Member for the seat of Cairns, Michael Healy. He also spends time with renowned publican and Senior Vice President of the QHA, Richard Deery, who shares some terrific insights on the hospitality industry whilst regaling wonderful tales from the Story Bridge Hotel’s history.

Mel Tait, Damian Steele, Leanne De Souza and Matt Lymbury

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +1000

In this final episode of 2021, Here’s Cheers podcast host, QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan is joined by QHA board member Mel Tait - General Manager of the Amarandos Pippos group, located at Murrumba Downs Tavern – and Damien Steele, QHA Industry Engagement Manager for a talk about pub life in the Downs. Getting stuck into the entertainment side of things, Leanne de Souza and Matt Lymbury of Nightlife chat music with Bernie.

Craig Ellison, Andrew Briese, and Michael Martin

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +1000

In this episode Bernie speaks with Craig Ellison of Australian Venue Co, Andrew Briese from Cooking the Books and Michael Martin of Konami.

John-Paul Langbroek and Stephen Stoios

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Welcome to our Surf and Turf episode! QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan explores two very different parts of our great State. Diving deep into Central Queensland, Bernie first chats to Stephen Stoios of the Central Queensland Hotels Group about the state of the industry out West, and rounds off the podcast with a visit to the Gold Coast to talk with John-Paul Langbroek, Member for Surfer's Paradise.

Steven Miles and David Blaicklock

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 16:00:00 +1000

This week Bernie talks with Queensland Deputy Premiere Steven Miles at Brisbane's Regatta Hotel, as well as David Blaicklock, founder and Program Director of the Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation) program within UniSA Creative Unit at University of South Australia about the changing face of wine labels.

Ross Tims, Tim Nicholls and Scott Armstrong

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 14:00:00 +1000

This week Bernie talks with QHA Industry Training and Safety Manager, Ross Tims and the QHA's partnership with Diageo in delivering training for members as well as former Queensland Treasurer and Member for Clayfield, Tim Nicholls, and lastly QHA Hotelier of the Year, Scott Armstrong.

Alex Bruce, Paul Palmer and Peter Savoff

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +1000

What a ripper episode of the Here’s Cheers podcast this is. Bernie ventures to Darwin on a QHA SEARCH mission and chats with his counterpart at Hospitality NT, Alex Bruce, President of Hospitality NT, Paul Palmer and Peter Savoff, the General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre about “the land of the free” and how the industry up there has coped through the pandemic.

David Janetzki and Stu Watters talks with Bernie Hogan

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 14:00:00 +1000

In Episode 3 Bernie talks with Deputy Leader of the Opposition, David Janetzki, about his roots in regional Queensland and how pivotal the hotel industry is to jobs, not only throughout the state, but in particular rural Queensland, like his hometown of Toowoomba, and why the industry needs to be supported. During their chat David also confesses his love for West Coast Cooler. Bernie then catches up with Stu Watters who is the founder of Morph Consulting who specialise in providing strategic and operational services and advice to businesses operating in, or intersecting with the creative sector. Namely Bernie and Stu talk all things live music and how it can open up new revenue streams for your hotel.

Scott Leach, The Hon Shannon Fentiman MP and Paul St John-Wood

Mon, 31 May 2021 13:00:00 +1000

In this episode Bernie talks with AHA NSW counterpart Scott Leach on being president, publican and his links to Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He stops by the Waterford Hotel to chat with Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman on why the hotel industry is so important to Queensland and is joined in the studio by QHA Membership Officer Paul St John-Wood, discussing the dangers of live and unedited podcasts as well as all the upcoming member events.

Rob Comiskey, David Crisafulli and Joanna Minchinton with Bernie Hogan

Wed, 05 May 2021 08:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the very first QHA Here’s Cheers podcast where we revel in the stories behind the movers and shakers of our industry. In this episode Bernie talks with Rob Comiskey of the Comiskey Group as to why a cookie cutter approach doesn’t work with hotels, the QHA’s Joanna Minchinton about the dangers of ‘going it alone’ and LNP Leader David Crisafulli on why the front bar rules over the beergarden.