Ex-radio host Dave Noonan takes on a new role with pubs and restaurants

He was Hobart’s loveable larrikin on air, now veteran radio host Dave Noonan has a new job that taps into his way with words and passion for Tasmania.

Dave Noonan is the new consultant for THA's great customer experience program. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

FORMER radio host Dave Noonan has landed a new job that taps into his larrikin charm and way with words.

The Tasmanian personality, whose popular Triple M radio show was axed in October, has taken on a role where he chats to hospitality staff throughout the state to help them improve their service.

He is joining the Tasmanian Hospitality Association to help deliver its Great Customer Experience Program, where industry professionals help venues identify where they need to improve and help steer them in that direction.

“Brand Tasmania isn’t just about Tasmania being a beautiful place, it’s also about customer experience,” Noonan said.

Although Noonan does not have a hospitality background, the THA has snapped him up for the role because of his enthusiasm for all things Tasmanian.

“We normally employ hospitality professionals in the role, but Dave is a little different,” said THA chief executive Steve Old.

“We knew from his radio persona that he is passionate and caring about Tasmania,” he said.

Noonan said he was thrilled with the job because it allowed him to do what he loves most – talk to people.

“I love Tassie and I love the people, and tourism is such a huge part of the Tasmanian economy,” he said.

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“I see my role as helping every venue give the best possible service experience – for the sake of both tourists and locals,” he said.

He said everyone had their nightmare hospitality stories – and some of them had scarred him.

“I’ve been to a restaurant here in Hobart where we had to wait two and a half hours to be served, but we tried there again and the next time we still waited one and a half hours.”

Noonan said the negative experiences were in the minority, and overall Tasmania’s industry was in “fantastic shape”.

“This is about seeing if there are any areas where businesses can improve or upskill.”

Noonan left Triple M in October after 25 years doing the breakfast show, which required a 4.30am alarm.

He said he was still waking up early, and sleeping in probably wasn’t in his blood.

“I still wake up about 4.30am, but at least I know I don’t have to race out the door,” he said.

He said he had been forcing himself to go slow and was getting to the gym at 7am, but he was close to giving in to his natural body clock.

“I’m going to start going to the gym earlier,” he said.

As well his quick wit on air, Noonan became renowned for his generosity.

During his years on radio he worked for the Give Me Five for Kids charity and helped raise almost $3 million for the children’s ward of Royal Hobart Hospital.

Mr Old said Noonan’s generosity would suit the new role, and everybody already felt like they knew him.

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He said many hospitality venues in Tasmania had excellent customer service, while some still needed some lessons.

The Great Customer Experience Program is being delivered by the THA in conjunction with the State Government and Brand Tasmania.

The service gives a range of venues – including pubs, restaurants, wineries, accommodation – a free assessment of their customer service through an analysis of social media ratings and comments.

This identifies areas of improvement and the THA then offers staff training to help lift their game.