About 100 hoteliers from Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Mudgee gathered at the Hotel Canobolas on Tuesday for a combined sub-branch meeting, followed by a luncheon.

AHA NSW chief executive officer John Whelan said rising power costs were weighing heavily on businesses and the organisation would investigate a group purchasing agreement to make savings.

“It’s not just lights and keeping your doors open, refrigeration is a huge cost for hotels,” he said. 

“They go all night – when a pub opens in the morning, people want a cold beer and they’re usually big venues, particularly in Orange.

“With kitchens and accommodation, they’re just big users.”

But Mr Whelan also said there was reason to celebrate, with assault rates in licensed premises dropping 45 per cent in the past 10 years. 

“It really is a pat on the back for hotels, it’s just an extraordinary outcome and it’s been achieved by the hotels and the police working with collaboratively with each other, stomping out antisocial behaviour,” he said.

“That kind of behaviour is not what anyone wants.”

After raising $17,000 for charity last year, the luncheon again set its sights on helping a cause.

This year’s fundraising efforts will benefit Give Me 5 for Kids, which raises money for the children’s ward at Orange Health Service, and Ronald McDonald House Orange, which provides accommodation to families with sick children.

Rugby League legends Shaun Timmins, Royce Simmons and Garry Jack and cricket icon Greg Ritchie addressed the function.

“Those fellas have a few stories over lunch that will treat everybody and help to raise that extra money,” Mr Whelan said. 

He hoped to build on last year’s contribution.

“It seems bigger and better than last year,” he said.