A special letter to our team
To the Full Moon Hotel Team,
Last Monday night was one of those rare moments that makes you stop, look around and feel incredibly grateful.
At the Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence, the Full Moon Hotel was recognised with:
Best in Training
Best Hotel Bar – Jim’s Bait & Tackle
PLUS… Best Overall Hotel – Metropolitan
These are wonderful achievements, but what matters most is what they represent.
For Toby and I, this recognition is the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and belief in what great hospitality can be, and a journey we have shared together for more than two decades.
In our twenties, after “cutting our teeth” at my family pub in Darwin, we took a leap of faith and took on a little country pub that needed a lot of love. We lived upstairs with three very young children, worked around the clock and did whatever needed to be done. There were days when we were publicans, cleaners, gardeners, cooks, maintenance crew and parents all at the same time.
We didn’t have a large team.
We didn’t have deep pockets. What we had was determination, a belief in hospitality and a willingness to work hard.
Through plenty of blood, sweat and tears, we transformed that little country pub into a thriving destination in the Byron Bay Hinterland. It became a place people wanted to visit, work and be part of, and it taught us lessons that still guide us every day.
Those lessons eventually led us here, to the Full Moon Hotel in 2015.
Over the years, we’ve celebrated incredible successes together and weathered some very challenging times. Through every renovation, every busy service, every setback and every milestone, people have stood beside us. Some of you have been with us for many years. You’ve backed us, challenged us, inspired us, supported us and helped shape the business in to what it is today.
When we look at what we’ve built, we’re proud of the venue, but we’re even more proud of the relationships. They’ve been built on trust, respect, loyalty and a shared belief that great hospitality starts with great people.
For me personally, hospitality is also deeply connected to family. Four generations before me dedicated their lives to this industry – big dreams, took risks, wins and losses – and I grew up understanding the important role pubs play in bringing people together. I’ve always felt privileged to continue that legacy, and incredibly grateful to do it alongside Toby and all of you.
Which is why these awards mean so much.
The award for Best in Training recognises something we have always believed in: that people are our greatest asset. It reflects a culture of learning, growth and opportunity. It belongs to every team member who has put their hand up to learn something new, every mentor who has shared their knowledge and every leader who has invested time in helping others succeed.
The award for Best Hotel Bar is especially meaningful because Jim’s Bait & Tackle is much more than a bar. It allowed us to bring our family’s story into the Full Moon in a unique and personal way.
Named after my grandfather, Jim Dowling – a lifelong publican, passionate fisherman and legendary storyteller – it celebrates both our family’s hospitality heritage and the rich boating and fishing history of Sandgate. Every detail was designed to tell a story and create a genuine sense of place.
To see that vision recognised is incredibly rewarding and a credit to everyone who helped bring it to life.
And then there is Best Overall Hotel – Metropolitan. This award belongs to all of you.
We are fortunate to have a team of around 140 people who bring the Full Moon to life every day. Many of you have grown alongside the business. You’ve built careers here. You’ve helped train the next generation. You’ve helped create a culture that people want to be part of.
You can invest in buildings, fit-outs and facilities, but you cannot manufacture heart and soul – that comes from people.
It comes from the pride you take in your work, the care you show your teammates, the way you welcome our guests and the commitment you bring every single day.
Thank you for your hard work, your passion, and your loyalty.
Thank you for believing in what we’re building together.
Take a moment to celebrate this achievement – you have earned it.
With sincere gratitude,
Lucinda & Toby