Concerns have been raised about the management of Aura, alleging poor business practices and a workplace culture described as toxic.
It was reported by Gay Sydney Daily last month that Aura had entered voluntary administration managed by Helm Advisory.
Initially, Helm Advisory sought to keep the business operating, but that soon came undone, with Aura officially ceasing to trade on Tuesday, May 19.
The pathway to administration was initiated by some of the directors in an attempt to restructure the business and help save it.
Sources told GSD they believed the workplace had become toxic, with staff allegedly being told by some managers to keep business reports secret.
Those same managers are also accused of not paying promoters on time or, in some cases, at all.
At least two promoters who held events at Aura this year have confirmed to GSD that there were issues with payments, with one fearing the money may never be fully recovered.
It’s not just promoters who have reported concerns about business practices, with police becoming involved at the venue on May 3.
Police confirmed to GSD that they were called to Aura on Sunday, May 3, following reports of a break, enter and steal at a licensed venue on Flinders Street, Darlinghurst.
“Multiple pieces of electronic equipment were reported stolen,” police said.
It was subsequently alleged to GSD that the equipment stolen was the venue’s state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system.
In CCTV footage seen by GSD, a man alleged to be Aura director Dave Auld walks into the venue flanked by two men on Saturday, May 2.
“Don’t want them to know about … causing me a fucking headache,” a man can be heard saying.
Video from inside the venue’s main floor then shows two men dismantling the sound system, with police called to the venue the following day.
Police say the investigation is ongoing. However, it has been confirmed to GSD that the sound system has since been returned and reinstalled. GSD does not suggest that Auld did not have authority to access the property and take equipment, just that by doing so this seems to have triggered a police complaint.
Auld has not responded to GSD’s interview requests.
The system itself was not cheap and was reportedly purchased through a $150,000 loan, which allegedly carried interest of 200 per cent.
The administrators confirmed there had been claims made relating to “an unfair loan where the terms are extortionate and someone is gaining an unfair advantage”.
There was also a claim alleging a breach of directors’ duties.
The administrators added that these claims have not been tested in court and are not proof of any wrongdoing.
Following Aura’s closure by the administrators, three bidders were reportedly interested in taking over the space.
One confirmed group was a consortium that told GSD it intended to return the venue to its queer roots.
Another group was led by Auld, the former director of Aura and owner of businesses including Sea Deck and Noir.
It has since been confirmed that Auld’s group has taken over the business, with GSD reporting that the venue would revert to the ARQ name.
The administrators subsequently revealed that a company called Oxford St Nightlife held the lease.
According to ASIC documents, Oxford St Nightlife was first registered under the name Aura Nightlife in April before being renamed Oxford St Nightlife.
The company had just two directors: Madeline Huett-Auld, the wife of Dave Auld, and Velimir Vukovic, more commonly known as Vel Vooks, who is a partner of Arcade in the city.
Multiple sources, including former staff have confirmed that Vooks was present during Aura’s final days, although he does not currently appear on the ASIC records for the business.While Vooks was initially listed as a director and shareholder of Oxford St Nightlife, ASIC records show he was removed from both positions on May 24.
Referring to Aura’s culture, one source told GSD “There was a lot of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric among staff, management, security and promoters. I pointed it out a number of times and nothing happened,” said one former employee.
It is unknown whether Vooks remains involved. However, he did post an Instagram story promoting Club Moda, which was held at ARQ on Saturday, June 6 and is one of four people followed by the Events.arqnightclub instagram.
Vooks has not responded to multiple requests for an interview.
Paperwork filed with ASIC shows Madeline Huett-Auld as the sole owner of the business.
ARQ has recently announced its new weekly Saturday-night event, YOU, which will be run by GAYM Entertainment.
In its press release, the venue repeatedly references its gay roots and says it wants to restore them.
“When it was rebranded as AURA 12 months ago, it was stripped of its identity, repackaged for a different crowd, but the community called it what it was: a loss. We left and the vibe left with us. AURA has since entered liquidation. And ARQ has been restored,” the release states.
The same release says queer-led events and promoters will be given priority access to the venue on Friday and Sunday nights.
There is no suggestion from GSD that queer-led events will not be prioritised, and GAYM Entertainment taking the helm of Saturday nights is a positive sign.
The company is a champion of LGBTQIA+ events and nightlife, and arguably one of the city’s leading promoters.
