Australian Venue Co has been called on to clarify whether venues will be allowed to celebrate Australia Day.
The organisation – which owns the Eureka Hotel and the Apollo Bay hotel – yesterday apologised after a media storm over their call not to celebrate the day.
However they did not clarify if venues would celebrate the occasion on January 26.
“It certainly wasn’t our intention to offend anyone,” a spokesperson said.
“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 weekend saw the group announce they would not allow for Australia Day celebrations at venues.
“Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team,” a spokesperson said.
