The Longhorn Lounge

04/09/2026

Only 3 days!
Wednesday 9 September, Thursday 10 September, Friday 11 September. 8am - 3pm. Please come in and get yourself a few bargains or just come and say hello! Everyone welcome, as always!

03/09/2026

Queensland Parliament has published e-petition 4681-26.

Inaccurate public statements by Gympie Regional Council causing harm to a small business.

Closes 3 October 2026.

Queensland residents can sign here:

https://u50151181.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.-2BkiVwBmloH8ySF4agLlkrZlOfsdfLKmJtsDYZNR14Z9KgroWSXHPC9r3Zx7SWYXq6IYNCxK6ggl49IL29-2BNynGrpn9C8tb-2FgQbKd3gu4VyYQcF19BIRnQRyqVFihSJKB-2BGhQAlHCBqWJ87UJD1lyQA-3D-3DQtNx_q80vYFBUvvAO67lS8YHKlU7Ve-2BO76DqvuMhLr5fnQIjFmmSrw4WVcXykS0TLktRthJvFTxEQvSRBNV35nvqCRTcBXCU-2FUkCp4Bf5QQgqg9cItrMWrdvOOX4bJx1pY6i9SyFBKNEOcvAY9L6YhgxKtld4dQlcOoTPwGYI4NMSaaRpIB9nnjj6SHIpcio9Mq27UWPYgOA4LLlJGKpgtsdsYbFD8z5uejXuQ8BuaNkBMLN-2BYSwT2MFzL75RtDZrgLELnDez5niNXbFaifR4ciy24Ed2K-2F9UuIGhWILHeJdFzfTgHr-2FigaX5MNiHKCWGzml9AAcFnN9bztpYaaUmkystP6Erq6SlRK9IimY1U6Av9xKcscIqGsI7fxRPuqII3q3ldw0JOzTdai6f6Is5UkJ4uXpeUbOYa3vqqyUvifHLoGg-3D

Thank you.

Azure WAF JS Challenge

02/09/2026

Update from the Longhorn Lounge…

The Longhorn Lounge is closed indefinitely.

I opened this café for the community — something decent, a place for locals and for people who make things. That is all it was meant to be.

After the public statements about me and this business in June, trade collapsed. I asked for the public record to be corrected. It was not. I have spent the months since explaining myself in two towns, answering processes, and trying to keep the doors open. I cannot keep doing that and keep the café alive.

The strain of that period has taken a real toll on my health. I will not put the detail of that here.

I want to thank everyone who came, who supported us, who were kind when it would have been easier not to be. Those memories are the part I will keep.

I am not walking away from what happened. I will keep seeking accountability through the proper channels. This post is not that process. It is only to tell you that the Lounge is closed, and why I cannot pretend otherwise.

Thank you.

Alla
The Longhorn Lounge

28/08/2026

23/08/2026

Public Clarification from the Longhorn Lounge…

There has been no finding of “non-compliance” against me or The Longhorn Lounge of the kind being suggested in some public comments.

Publicly alleging that I operated unlawfully, failed to comply with licensing requirements, or was “non-compliant” is a serious statement. Anyone who chooses to make or repeat that allegation should be prepared to produce the specific documents that support it. I hold contemporaneous records released under the Right to Information Act. Those records do not support the claims being made.

I also note that the Mayor has already acknowledged in writing that the public description of the fine as “failed to comply with licensing requirements” was inaccurate. Statements that continue to repeat that characterisation are capable of being defamatory, and I reserve all rights in that regard.

I also want to make a clear distinction.
The commercial pressure on The Longhorn Lounge, including the real possibility of closure, is the direct result of the damage already caused. That is a separate issue from accountability.

I am continuing to pursue full accountability and transparency through every available external process. Those processes are now engaged. They will examine what occurred and why. That work does not stop.

Alla
The Longhorn Lounge.

21/08/2026

An update from The Longhorn Lounge…

After months of sustained commercial damage, I have reached the point where I must seriously consider the permanent closure of The Longhorn Lounge.

Since the public statements published in June 2026, the business has suffered a collapse in trade. Days of zero income have become common. Staff hours have been cut. Essential repairs and restocking have been impossible. Money set aside for my children’s specialised support has been diverted simply to keep the doors open.

The central description of the fine that was published in June was later acknowledged in writing by the Mayor as incorrect. That incorrect description formed part of the public statements that caused immediate and lasting damage to the business.

At the same time, prolonged and unresolved uncertainty about the lawful planning status of the premises has blocked any realistic path to a food licence and normal recovery. Despite repeated formal requests, the underlying assessments that would allow that position to be tested have never been provided.
The cumulative financial, personal and family impact has become severe.

I want the community to understand the situation clearly:

• The damage began with the public statements.
• It has been compounded by the ongoing failure to provide a clear and usable position on the lawful use of a building that has been associated with food for more than a century.
• Formal processes regarding those matters remain on foot.

I have not walked away from accountability. Concerns notices have been served. External review processes are underway. All rights in relation to the losses already suffered, and any further losses that follow, are fully reserved.

I will make a final decision on the future of the business in the coming days.

The community that has stood with The Longhorn deserves to know the real position.

Alla Fomichev
The Longhorn Lounge