Rick Lovell’s 29-Year Legacy The name Rick Lovell is synonymous with the Australian Hotels Association (SA). Rick, a qualified chartered accountant, has served as Secretary/Treasurer for the AHA|SA since 1992. In early May, he marked the end of an era when he presented his final report at the Association’s annual general meeting. Rick is a Life Member of the AHA|SA, and his involvement in the hospitality industry dates back to his childhood. His father, Brian, also a chartered accountant, had an interest in the Hawker, Maitland and Criterion Hotel on King William Street. Rick recalls travelling to the country as a young boy to visit the hotels.
considered I might be the appropriate person.” He went on to win the election, kickstarting a 29-year legacy he is only now stepping down from. In 1993, Rick purchased the Marryatville Hotel and sold the Gepps Cross. “We did quite a lot of renovation work at the Marryatville,” he said. “We got rid of what used to be a dedicated front bar and opened that up. We put in a children’s playground with a dining option outside and extended the bottle shop and put a nice walk-in area in there.” Gaming was introduced in South Australia in 1994, bringing with it a number of tests for the AHA|SA.
By fifteen, he was working at the Criterion and living there when the manager was on holiday. Rick studied Accountancy at the Institute of Technology, and opened his own practice in 1978. Fittingly, the practice boasted a large hospitality client base.
Rick reflects on the “challenges” local politician Nick Xenophon presented for the hospitality industry when he decided to run in the 1997 state election under an Independent No Pokies ticket. Xenophon advocated for the reduction and elimination of gaming machines.
In 1983, Rick and Brian purchased the Hotel Enfield. The two focussed on catering, establishing a mobile catering division for weddings and functions. Rick sold his interest in the hotel in 1991 and bought the lease of the Gepps Cross Hotel. The following year, he was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the AHA|SA.
“The AHA|SA did a lot to ensure our members maintained a practical and financially feasible gaming industry,” said Rick. “I think the AHA|SA is probably the most effective lobbying industry body in the state.
“I was on the council of the AHA|SA, and Jack Hoban, the current Secretary/Treasurer at the time, was retiring,” said Rick.
“We’ve had and continue to have very good people involved in the executive and the council and very good general managers, management, and staff… it’s just a no-brainer being a member of the Association.
“I guess because of my chartered accounting background and hospitality experience it was
“The AHA|SA is set up to deal with the continual myriad of licensing issues that are dealt with, to maintain the
14 | Hotel SA | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U
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