The Walkley Foundation said the reporting team’s “painstaking research and gripping storytelling” had a real impact: it led to the resignations of restaurateurs, more scrutiny from investigators and regulators, and new laws.
Good Food
Good Food Sydney editor Bianca Hrovat, The Sydney Morning Herald’s investigative reporter Eryk Bagshaw and crime reporter Clare Sibthorpe, won the Walkley award in the news report category for their series of investigations into the sinister side of Sydney’s hospitality scene.
The trio won the award at the 70th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism held in Sydney on Thursday night for their reporting that “triggered an industry-wide reckoning”.
The months-long exposé included a number of hospitality giants, including Merivale, Swillhouse and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, resulting in the resignations of high-profile hospitality figures and regulatory reforms.
“The reporters’ painstaking research and gripping storytelling had real impact: resignations of famous restaurateurs, further scrutiny from investigators and regulators and new laws to make sexual violence prevention training compulsory,” the foundation said.
The first story, published in August 2024, reported that one of Sydney’s top bar and restaurant groups, Swillhouse – which operates seven venues, including Caterpillar Club, Le Foote, Restaurant Hubert and the Baxter Inn – pushed female staff out of the company after they reported sexual assaults, encouraged staff to have sex with customers and take drugs while on shift, and discriminated against women as it built up a hospitality empire.
After being infuriated by the company’s response to the claims, two women, Rachelle “Rocky” Hair, and Jenna Hemsworth, decided to go public with their claims. Hair said the company had failed to change its culture or acknowledge the harm caused, giving her “no choice but to personally do my part for the younger people that have been exposed to this since”. Swillhouse has denied it discriminated against women who raised sexual assault and harassment allegations.
The reporting paved the way for other alleged victims to come forward, and prompted SafeWork NSW to launch an investigation, which led to the introduction of compulsory government-mandated sexual violence prevention training in pubs and clubs.
The reporting also led to an investigation into another hospitality group, Sydney’s largest, Merivale, which operates about 90 venues including Totti’s, Mr Wong, Mimi’s and Uccello. Allegations against the billion-dollar company include putting staff in dangerous situations, not protecting the wellbeing of its staff, prioritising VIP treatment over staff safety and abuse of power.
The company said it had no record of the allegations and it was committed to “an inclusive, diverse and respectful workplace environment for our staff, as well as for our customers”.
The Fair Work Ombudsman begun an investigation into Merivale after this masthead reported it the hospitality group had underpaid and exploited vulnerable workers, including eight migrant chefs who say they were recruited from Mexico under false pretences.
Further reporting found Icebergs Dining Room and Bar founder Maurice Terzini had protected his son, Sylvester Terzini, from multiple sexual assault claims. Maurice Terzini later resigned.
“I’m really honoured that Rocky, Jenna and the other former Swillhouse employees we spoke with trusted us to share their story,” Hrovat said of the Walkley win. “I remember Rocky telling us how she didn’t think anyone would care. Now, she’s part of an advocacy group, Sorry Not Sorry, making change in bars across australia and overseas. It’s incredible.”
Sorry Not Sorry was recognised as the second Good Food Guide Cultural Change Champion award. The award was introduced in 2024 to shine a light on those making the hospitality industry a better and safer place to work.
It was launched at the same time Good Food widened the criteria it uses to decide which restaurants, bars and cafes it recommends. If a venue is known to allow criminal offences, particularly of a violent or sexual nature, they exclude themselves from being included in the Good Food Guide. This was applied to Merivale and Swillhouse venues.
The Herald health editor Kate Aubusson, reporter Emily Kaine and Age investigative reporter Aisha Dow also won the Walkley’s specialist beat reporting category for a national examination of the hidden misogyny in Australia’s medical system. The Age claimed the best coverage of a major news event or issue for its coverage of the mushroom murders orchestrated by Erin Patterson.
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