Australian Venue Co – which owns Geelong’s Eureka Hotel and Apollo Bay Hotel – has again courted controversy over Australia Day.
The company made headlines last year after announcing they would not acknowledge January 26 as Australia Day, only to seemingly backflip following community backlash.
“It certainly wasn’t our intention to offend anyone,” a spokesperson said at the time.
“We sincerely regret that – our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it. It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day.
“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”
The group is now encouraging patrons to celebrate the “long weekend” without mentioning the day itself.
There has also been no announcement of whether the venues will charge a public holiday surcharge.