Hosted at The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre in Marrickville, an end of year activation called ‘Operation: Sickie’ invites guests to book a table on one of six designated sick days over summer.
Those guests who provide text or email proof of calling in sick to work will get a 49 per cent discount on their food and drinks bill.
Hawke’s Co-Founder, Nathan Lennon, explains that Operation: Sickie is about embracing the culture of a strategically planed “sick” day and will be a ‘protective force’ behind patrons using one to enjoy a day at the venue.
“Chucking the occasional sickie isn’t just our cultural right – it’s a more sustainable approach to work–life balance,” he explained.
“Whether it’s extending a long weekend, heading to the cricket, or spending the arvo at the pub with mates, every good sickie needs a strategy. You can’t get caught out. And that’s where we come in.”
The Hawke’s sickie days have been thoughtfully selected as follows:
- 9 December 2025 – Bob Hawke’s birthday
- 19 December 2025 – The last working Friday before Christmas
- 5 January 2026 – First day of work for the year and day 2 at the SCG
- 23 January 2026 – Long weekend extender
- 27 January 2026 – Even longer weekend
- 2 March 2026 – The Mardi Gras recovery
Guests will be offered a choice of tables from incognito indoor tables to zero-risk private areas along with service measures to ensure guests dine with confidence that their cover remains intact.
“Those who’ve activated Operation: Sickie can expect private-area tables to ensure absolute cover, discreet service from our staff (think of them as Leisure Operatives) who will deliver food and drinks with minimal fuss, so guests can stay comfortably under the radar,” Lennon told Beer & Brewer.
“It’s all a bit of fun but the intention is real – to ensure our guests can relax knowing we’re doing what we can to keep their cover intact while they chuck a legit sickie.”
To further add to the “sickie” experience, Lennon said guests will receive a sick note signed by Bob Hawke, which not only validates their day off to employers, but also scores them special pricing on takeaway beers.
The day is inspired by the brewery’s Co-founder, Bob Hawke who once declared an unofficial national holiday the day after Australia’s victory in the 1983 America’s Cup, famously saying, “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.”
Alongside the activation, Hawkes Brewing Co have also produced a supporting report entitled The State of Sick Leave (“Sickies”) in Australia: A 2025–26 Cultural & Workforce Insights Report.
It highlights data from a 2025 Finder report which found 47 per cent of Australians openly admit to taking a sickie when they were not actually sick.
Compare the Market also ranks Australia the number one country globally for Googling sickie-related excuses, and national absenteeism data shows Australians now take 11.1 sick days a year, with as many as 30 per cent believed to be “not for genuine illness”.
Lennon emphasised that the data in the report reinforces Operation: Sickie as a cultural celebration that creates a safe space for people to enjoy the day off.
“We want guests who’ve chucked a sickie to feel safe to do so under our watch. No anxious checking of emails or looking over their shoulder in case their boss walks in, but properly leaning into good beer, good leisure and a succulent Chinese meal. It’s about giving permission for people to slow down and enjoy themselves,” he said.
For more information on Operation: Sickie, or to book a table, visit https://hawkesbrewing.com/pages/operation-sickie
