STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:56): There's a fierce competition in the Hunter over who serves the best pub feed. As a bloke who's never met a schnitty he didn't like, I'm happy to see this and happy to settle it. Our local pubs are making their mark at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence, with a number of local venues in the running.

NINETEEN Hunter Valley is shortlisted for Regional Hotel of the Year and recognised in the Individual Hotel Operator of the Year category. Teralba's Great Northern Hotel is a finalist for Best Innovative Refurbishment. It's great to see a local pub getting a makeover; some of us in here could probably do with one too!

We've got three chefs chasing Regional Chef of the Year: Alex Johnson from the Huntlee Tavern, Andrew Cowmeadow from the Great Northern and Roshan Tamang from Bellbird Hotel. Now that's a contest I would happily judge. Just bring me a fork and a reinforced chair, and I'll be there!

Behind every nomination are hardworking publicans, chefs, bar staff and kitchen crews who make people feel welcome. Our pubs bring mates together, support local clubs and give community somewhere to celebrate, catch up or solve the world's problems over a schnitty and a schooie. Congratulations to all of our finalists.

Good luck in the awards. You've already made the Hunter proud. I'll be supporting you one schnitty and one schooie at a time, but my belt might disagree with you all.

Cheers.