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Tag: Responsible Service Of Alcohol Training

  • Try These “Healthy” Alcoholic Mixed Drinks

    These drinks are so low in calories, they’re practically good for you.

    • Champagne Cocktail

    A glass of champagne is only 85 calories. Add fresh fruits for added flavor and nutrition. For a champagne cocktail, add a splash of your favorite fruit-flavored vodka and coordinating fruit or fruit juice.

    • Sour Apple Pear Martini

    This drink is made with made with 2 1/2oz sour mix, 3/4oz vodka and 3/4oz sour apple liqueur. Optional lime, lemon or sour orange cuts can be added, making it about  160 calories in total.

    • Bloody Mary

    Mix your favorite unflavored vodka with a low calorie vegetable juice/ tomato juice. Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, pepper and optional salt.Add lots of vegetables like green beans, celery, cilantro, peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby asparagus, olives and artichoke hearts.

    For more healthy recipes look here.

  • NZ Alcoholic Couple Neglects Children

    The consequences of alcoholism has been highlighted by an incident which happened in New Zealand recently, the incident highlights the importance of Responsible Service of Alcohol because RSA staff play an important role in denying alcohol to people who demonstrate a drinking problem – to avoid incidents such as this one.

    A NZ couple reportedly neglected their 4 children by failing to provide them with food and medical care but rather prioritised alcohol, drugs and parties. Police arrested the parents for their neglect who placed having a good time ahead of taking care of their 4 children.

    The parents were subsequently sentenced to community service and intensive supervision for neglecting their children, all of whom are under five years old.

    This sad and shocking story was reported by News.com.au as follows:

    In January, police found the children, all under five, at a Hutt Valley home, unkempt, hungry and sick with skin sores that required hospitalisation.

    Police were alerted by concerned neighbours who saw children running out on to the street unsupervised during a party.

    On arrival, police found the adults extremely intoxicated and aggressive in a “fairly chaotic scene”.

    “This was not an issue of poverty for this family, these parents simply prioritised alcohol, drugs and parties ahead of the needs of their children,” Hutt Valley Inspector Mike Hill said.

    Both parents pleaded guilty to four charges of neglect, one for each child, in May.

    On Monday, Judge Susan Thomas sentenced the father to six months of community detention, between the hours of 7pm and 6am, along with 80 hours of community work and 18 months of intensive supervision.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/parents-neglected-kids-for-alcohol-police/story-e6frfkui-1226672472853

    The mother was arrested and sentenced to 160 hours of community work and 18 hours of intensive supervision. Both mother and father must also undertake intensive drug, alcohol, parenting and budgeting courses.

    The young children, ages 4,3,2 and seven months were extremely neglected and being so young were obviously not able to take care of themselves. Despite the young age of the children, the home contained no baby formula or food for the children, there was also no beds or furniture for them to sleep on.

    Unsurprisingly the kids were removed from their parent’s custody. It is sad that innocent children suffer because of the irresponsibility of parents. But this inability of many adults to control how much they drink is one of the reasons why Responsible Service of Alcohol training is so important.

    Often once people become intoxicated they cannot control themselves, this leads to excessive drinking as well as a plethora of other consequences such as violence, medical conditions and alcoholism as well as the decline of the family unit.

    If staff of licenced venues pay more attention to their patrons and begin enforcing RSA rules more closely, we should see a decline in alcoholism and alcohol misconduct.

    Responsible service of alcohol training teaches workers how to identify intoxicated patrons and how to deal with them. It also teaches RSA staff the consequences they and their employer may face if RSA laws are breached.

     

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Fears that New Supermarket Liquor Laws Threaten Queensland’s Pubs

    Concerns have been raised by a hotel advisory firm, PJT Accountants that new laws under consideration by the Queensland Government may severely negatively impact the hotel industry. Under these new laws, grocery stores would be able to sell alcohol – a move which the firm fears will affect the hotel industry.

    Speaking to theShout.com.au a partner at the firm, Wayne Patten detailed how he had met with Attorney General, Jarrod Bleije who has responsibility for the state’s liquor and gaming portfolio, raising with him concerns for hotels.

    This year the Newman Government released a discussion paper which requested input on the future of Queensland’s liquor and gaming laws and one of the issues tabled was whether alcohol should be sold in supermarkets.

    This is what the article on TheShout.com.au reported on the interview with Patten:

    Patten said grocery operators such as Aldi and IGA claim to be unfairly discriminated against by not being able to sell alcohol in a similar way to mega chains Coles and Woolworths.

    He said he explained to Bleije that in order to obtain this competitive advantage, Coles and Woolworths were required to purchase a local hotel to obtain the necessary liquor licence, an astute move overlooked by smaller operators and a significant investment which saw positive growth in business valuations throughout the industry.

    “These businesses have committed hundreds of thousands of dollars into purchasing and setting up detached bottleshops, and in the process employing thousands of Queenslanders,” he said.

    Patten, who previously owned a pub himself and still represents many hoteliers through PJT’s specialist hotels division, said many Queensland hotels are currently “hanging on by a thread”.

    “In some cases bank valuations are just 50 per cent of the value they enjoyed just four to five years ago when the industry was booming,” he said.

    “Many hoteliers are committed to long-term leases, negotiated when the market was buoyant. In this much tougher market, margins are thin but the lease outgoings remain constant.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/05/13/article/Liquor-in-supermarkets-threatens-Queensland-pubs/YCPGKQDUBD.html

    Patten went on to explain that his firm’s belief was that the valuations of hotels were going to severely decline as a result of supermarkets being able to sell alcohol, an opinion which he says is shared  by leading banks and bank panel valuers. This is because as grocery stores begin to sell alcohol, there would be a reduction in bottleshops sales which will ultimately translate to a reduction in profits and therefore lessen the value of the hotel, according to Patten and his firm.

    Another important aspect to consider is the impact increased alcohol sales will have on the community. In order to minimise the damage done because of alcohol abuse and binge drinking, it is important anyone involved with the sale of alcohol undergo Responsible Service of Alcohol training.

    RSA training is a mandatory requirement for staff of licenced venues and if grocery stores do begin to sell alcohol, staff should undergo the training in order to minimise the impact on the community by learning how to serve alcohol in a responsible manner.

     

  • RSA Update: Quick Tips for Bartenders on Reducing Alcohol Related Harm

    Bartenders and serving staff of licenced venues have a role to play in reducing alcohol induced violence and harm. This is one of the reasons why authorities made Responsible Service of Alcohol training mandatory for all workers in the alcohol sales and service industry.

    There is no doubt that alcohol fuelled harm in Oz especially in entertainment districts has gotten out of hand, but there are some practical tips that bartenders and other workers in licenced venues can adopt to prevent contributing to alcohol fuelled harm.

    • Do not serve alcohol to minors. They are not responsible enough or physically developed enough to handle their liquor. They also have less self-control and restraint and therefore are more likely to abuse alcohol and binge drink, resulting in harm to themselves and possibly others.
    • Do not serve alcohol to anyone who you suspect is or is displaying signs that they may be unduly intoxicated. This is one of the biggest problems contributing to alcohol problems in Oz at the moment.
    • Do not serve the same person too many drinks, even if they do not display signs of physical intoxication. Keep track of how many drinks you serve each person.
    • Be aware of any new restrictions that may have been implemented in your district and adhere to them. For example Byrons Bay has recently introduced a number of measures to combat alcohol fuelled violence in the district such as a 1.30am lockout, refusal of entry to any person seen drinking within 50 metres of a venue and restrictions on takeaway sales after a set time. Learn the new rules and stick to them.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Lengths Alcoholics Resort To in Order to Fuel their Habits

    For non-alcoholics it may seem strange the lengths alcoholics will go to feed their addiction. Some people have been known to rob their own family members or even their employers to obtain money to buy alcohol. Others have engaged in illegal activities such as prostitution in order to get the money to feed their habits. An example of this strange and dangerous behaviour occurred in Sydney last year when a woman with an alcohol addiction walked out of a Sydney hospital where she was being treated without being discharged.

    A search then ensued for the woman who was later found intoxicated in Paddington a week later. The woman seemed disillusioned when the police caught her, claiming she thought she had been away from the hospital for only a few hours when in fact it was a week.

    The police claimed that the woman had been breaking into homes and stealing alcohol during the time she went missing. She was then charged for breaking into 3 houses and robbing them of alcohol.  Luckily this person did not cause any harm to any other persons  but this incident could have turned out much worse.

    The story does however have somewhat of a hopeful ending because the woman involved is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will hopefully be able to overcome her addiction.

    Read what this post from Abc.net.au had to say about the incident:

    A woman who sparked a police search when she walked out of a Sydney hospital last year has admitted stealing alcohol while her family and friends were looking for her.

    Belinda Burcham walked out of St Vincent’s Hospital on the 30th of December without being discharged, sparking a large police search and an online campaign by her family and friends.

    It is understood the one-time businesswoman is an associate of Moses Obeid.

    Burcham was found drunk in Paddington about a week after she disappeared. She later told police she thought she had only been gone for a few hours.

    Police say that while she was missing, Ms Burcham was breaking into Paddington houses and stealing alcohol to support her addiction.

    The 40-year-old was charged with six offences relating to three break and enters on the same street.

    Documents tendered to Waverley Local Court allege Belinda Burcham stole two bottles of wine valued at $1600. The owner is looking for compensation.

    The documents also state she was crying so much when police tried to interview her that they had to stop.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-18/woman-who-sparked-search-admits-alcohol-theft/4579252

    Overcoming an addiction is an ongoing battle and most alcoholics require professional help and rehabilitation in order to kick the habit. But prevention is better than cure especially when it comes to addictions, that is one of the reasons why Responsible Service of Alcohol training is so important.

    Every worker in a licenced venue must be in possession of a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate not only for legal compliance but also to ensure they have the knowledge and skill needed to avoid serving too much alcohol to customers or contributing to alcohol fuelled violence or addictions.

     

  • Perth Restaurant Liquor Licences Could Ease

    Perth restaurants may soon be allowed to serve alcohol without food if Premier Colin Barnett keeps his pledge to end restrictions that prevent bar patrons from carrying their own drink from a licenced zone to an alfresco area.

    Barnett also wants restaurants with less than 120 people to responsibly serve alcohol to seated patrons without having to serve them a meal.

    If Barnett is re-elected, he said he would reform many of the “outdated” liquor licensing regulations so that people can enjoy a drink at a restaurant instead of a bar or tavern.

    Read the post below from News.com.au that explains further:

    “This change will mean that people who would like to have a drink at a restaurant, for instance after a show or event, can do so without having to order a meal,” he said at Wembley eatery Three Five Three this afternoon.

    Mr Barnett said venues like The Flying Scotsman, The George and the Belgian Beer Cafe were currently under the strain of restrictive laws and would benefit from his proposed changes.

    Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said ensuring diners were seated was an important distinction between restaurants and bars, hotels and taverns.

    “The policy eliminates unnecessary red tape for restaurants wishing to offer a drink without a meal and removes the requirement for a special permit,” he said.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/colin-barnett-to-ease-liquor-laws-in-restaurants/story-fndo4e3y-1226573869246

    If Barnett gets his way it is possible that waitrons who previously never served alcohol will begin to do so and therefore must undergo responsible service of alcohol training.

    RSA training will enable servers, whether in a pub, hotel or restaurant to understand their obligations in serving liquor responsibly and the types of strategies that can be implemented to make a venue more responsible in its supply of alcohol to customers.

    Some of the subjects covered by the responsible service of alcohol training includes who you can and cannot serve alcohol to and why, the consequences of serving intoxicated patrons and how to safeguard yourself, your venue and patrons from the negative consequences of alcohol abuse.

    Anyone who works in the hospitality industry or is involved with the service or supply of alcohol must undergo this training including: licensees,  approved managers, staff, including promotional staff, involved in the sale, supply and service of alcohol, volunteers, including club directors, who have liquor service responsibilities and  security officers with crowd control duties, even restaurant staff who serve alcohol.

    Another post on TheAustralian.com.au sums up Barnett’s promise:

    The Premier said his pledge ahead of the March 9 election would end the restriction that prevented bar patrons from carrying their own drink from a licensed zone to an alfresco area.

    He said it would also allow restaurants with less than 120 people to responsibly serve alcohol to seated patrons without serving them a meal.

    If the Liberal Party was re-elected, it would reform the outdated liquor licensing regulations so people could enjoy a drink at a restaurant instead of a bar or tavern, Mr Barnett said.

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/colin-barnett-to-ease-liquor-laws-in-restaurants/story-e6frg6n6-1226573869246

     

     

  • Best Way to Get Employed in a Night Spot

    Any person wishing to obtain employment in the nightclub industry must first undergo responsible service of alcohol training.

    All bar staff, managers and licensees must be formally trained in responsible service of alcohol in order to keep the laws that govern the sale of alcohol to customers.

    The consequences of serving unduly intoxicated patrons can go beyond fines for licensees and their staff, people can get hurt and lives can be lost if responsible service of alcohol rules are not applied.

    RSA training will enable servers to understand their obligations in serving liquor responsibly and the types of strategies that can be implemented to make a venue more responsible in its supply of alcohol to customers.

    RSA training applies to any worker in a licenced venue including, licensees; approved managers; staff, including promotional staff, involved in the sale, supply and service of alcohol; volunteers, including club directors, who have liquor service responsibilities and security officers with crowd control duties.

    So the best way to get start a new career as a bartender, waitrons, security staff or even bar manager, in fact any employment in a licenced venues, is to undergo your RSA training. This can be done cheaply and conveniently online and upon successful completion of the course you are issued with a photo card which will permit you to work in a licenced venue anywhere in Oz.

    For more information about how to register visit our homepage.

     

  • Pub Staff and Patrons Fight to Keep Pub Open

    Liquor authorities recently suspended the licence of 2 popular Subiaco night spots after police lodged a complaint against the 2 bars which operate under the same licence at the same property. The action has left around 50 staff in limbo as the venues that employ them face an uncertain future, so do they.

    Police requested that authorities take action against the licensee for breaching licence conditions, although they have not made public what these breaches were. The venues were forced to close despite petitions from staff and patrons.

    The staff are the ones suffering the most because most of them depend on their jobs at the nightclubs for financial survival. Employees are concerned that as the venues are closed they will not get paid and will therefore not be able to pay bills and make ends meet. Some staff may have to be laid off.

    Read an excerpt from a post on Au.News.Yahoo.com that details further the predicament staff of the venues find themselves in:

    On Thursday, director of liquor licensing Barry Sargeant issued a Section 91 order, which suspends the venues’ licence. The order means the Gold Bar and Red Sea cannot trade until the suspension is lifted.

    “This is a very serious situation for the licensee of the venues which employs 40 part-time staff and seven full-time staff,” a spokeswoman for the licensee said.

    “For the majority of staff, their position at the nightclubs represents their only source of income.

    “The nightclub owners will have to assess which staff may need to be laid off.”

    The spokeswoman also said the owners were trying to notify patrons of the situation. Functions, including an Australia Day event, birthday parties, hens’ nights and charity events – have been cancelled.

    Gold Bar bar manager Caleb Bloomer works up to four shifts a week at the venue to support himself as he studies commerce at the University of WA.

    He said staff and patrons had been aware of the complaint since last month and had been signing a petition to keep the nightspot open.

    “It’s come as a bit of a blow to me because, financially, I am trying to support myself and not many places are looking for workers at this time of the year,” Mr Bloomer said.

    Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/15957603/liquor-bans-on-subi-nightspots/

    This story is a very harsh reminder of what can happen if staff and licensees do not enforce Responsible service of alcohol laws. Although it is not known what was the cause of this licence being suspended we can only speculate that since the police were involved it was RSA related.

    Other licenced venue owners and staff should learn a lesson from this incident because the excerpt above points out, while patrons may lose their hangout, staff are the ones who really suffer when licences are suspended or revoked.

    This should encourage staff at other venues to do all they can to reduce the alcohol fuelled violence surrounding their venues, by not serving unduly intoxicated patrons, not serving alcohol to minors and limiting the number of drinks they sell to any one patron, as well as enforcing all other responsible serving rules.

    More about how to serve alcohol responsibly and avoid a similar situation at your venue can be obtained by completing your Responsible Service of Alcohol training. Not only is RSA training mandatory for work in a licenced venue but it will ensure that your source of income (the club or venue that employs you) is protected from similar situations and you and your employer do not hold any legal liability for incidents that occur in the area.

     

  • Article Posts for Week Ending October 5,2012

    Here is a list of the articles posted on our blog this last week:

    Former pub boss in court – A warning to other Publicans

    Perfect Summer Mixers

    Responsible Service of Alcohol Update: How to Say No to an Intoxicated Customer

     

  • Responsible Service Of Alcohol

    Your RSA certificate is awarded upon the successful completion of this course and is more than a license to perform behind a bar. Abilities learned in the course of the RSA coaching are critical resources of the trade and train best practices. Several state and territory liquor authorities have announced their introduction of obligatory RSA training to encourage a secure mindset toward alcohol inside of communities.

    RSA-QLD-RSA-Queensland

    In all states and territories you can get your RSA certificate on-line or individualy through an RTO. Apart from Tasmania, where the State’s liquor authority accepts only face to face RSA courses. On the internet the training will take up to 3 hours to complete, right after which you can just print out your RSA certificate. Although in person the study course can take in between a few and 6 hrs to complete, the RTO trainer will then provide you with your RSA certificate.