Federal Group

Federal Group is a privately owned family company which operates significant tourism, hospitality, retail, casino and gaming assets in Tasmania, and a national sensitive freight company. In the past the company has been known as both "Federal Hotels" or "Federal Hotels and Resorts". Federal Group is Tasmania’s largest private sector employer with employees located across the entire state.

The Federal Group is owned and operated by the Farrell Family, consisting of Greg Farrell (managing director), John Farrell (director of business development), Julia Farrell (director of interior design), Deborah Lee (née Farrell; board member) and Jane Farrell (board member).


History

Federal Coffee Palace

Federal is the oldest continually operating hotel group in Australia. Its origins can be traced to Melbourne in the 1880’s.

In June 1885 a company named The Federal Coffee Palace Company Limited built an elegant temperance establishment (‘Coffee Palace’) to coincide with the 1888 Centennial Exhibition.[1] Seven-stories high, it was the tallest building in Melbourne. It had 450 bedrooms and the largest dining room in Australia.[2]

During the Depression of the late 1880’s and early 1890s, the Coffee Palace lost significant amounts of money. This prompted its directors to obtain a liquor license in order to attract more profitable clientele.[3] The original coffee palace was renamed the Hotel Federal and it went on to become the cornerstone of what is now Federal Group.[4]

Over the next few decades Federal operated some of Australia’s finest hotels, including: The Menzies, Savoy Plaza, The Windsor, Hotel Australia, Lennons Hotel’s in Queensland and Hampton Court in New South Wales.[5]

Australia's first casino

In 1956, Federal bought its first Tasmanian business – the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel in Sandy Bay, Tasmania.

During the late 1960’s Federal initiated discussions with the Tasmanian Government about granting the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel Australia's first casino license.[6] The casino was initially conceived to address the seasonal nature of Tasmania’s tourism industry, designed to be an attraction that would entice visitors to the state all year round.

In a referendum held on 14 December 1968, Tasmanian voters were asked the following question: “Are you in favour of the granting of a casino licence to Wrest Point Hotel conditional on the proposed development of that hotel?”

By a slim 6% majority, the establishment of a casino in Hobart was accepted and the Wrest Point Casino License and Development Act of 1968 was passed.[7]

On 10 February 1973 Australia’s first legal casino opened with great spectacle. The event featured the largest fireworks display ever seen in the country, and was televised through the Channel 7 network.[8] American entertainer Jerry Lewis was the main guest artist.

The initial response to the casino exceeded expectations. More than 2,000 people visited the casino on the first Sunday it opened. The hotel was booked out for the first 3 months. Over the years the casino has boosted economic confidence, generated publicity for the state and paved the way for Tasmania’s now thriving hospitality and tourism industries.

Second casino license

In 1979, Federal Group secured a second casino license in Northern Tasmania. The Country Club Casino and Resort was opened in 1982 and the adjacent Country Club villas were acquired by the company some years later.[9]

Architects modelled the style and interior design of Country Club on the stately homes of America’s south. Former Chairman Greg Farrell senior had always admired the simple lines of the US Embassy building in Canberra and believed that the Georgian style would work well in the rural landscape of Launceston.

The casino has been a catalyst for growth and development in the region – it is now surrounded by suburbs and local neighbourhoods.

Business units

Wrest Point Casino

Wrest Point Casino

Located on the shore of the beautiful river Derwent, Wrest Point Casino was Australia’s first legal casino. It offers a range of accommodation options and dining experiences, from fine dining at the Point Revolving Restaurant to relaxed meals at its bistro. Its entertainment options encompass catering for private functions through to conferences and concerts for up to 1,600 people.

Country Club Casino and Resort

Located in northern Tasmania, Country Club Casino and Resort offers a choice of over 200 rooms in a host of options ranging from luxury suites in the main complex to self-contained villas at the Country Club Villas. It has a range of outdoor activities available for its guests, including an 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Mike Wolveridge and British Open Champion Peter Thompson, a driving range, trout fishing facilities, horse riding and tennis courts.

Tourism

The Henry Jones site dates back to 1804 and takes its name from its famous past as the location of one of Australia’s most successful companies – Henry Jones IXL Jams. When the jam factory shut down in 1979 the property sat empty for many years until award-winning architects Morris-Nunn & Associates (now Circa) transformed it into a world class hotel.

Its 56 individually designed rooms and suites draw heavily upon the history and tradition of its location. Housing over 400 artworks displayed both throughout the public areas and behind the closed doors of rooms and suites, every aspect of the hotel is a canvas for artistic expression—from the art itself to exquisite furniture design and award-winning architectural elements.

Located near Freycinet National Park on the East Coast of Tasmania, Saffire-Freycinet is Federal Group’s award winning international luxury coastal sanctuary.

Overlooking the iconic Hazard Mountains, the architectural design of Saffire takes its inspiration from its unique natural surroundings. Featuring 20 luxurious suites, exclusive day spa, restaurant, guest lounge and bar, the hotel celebrates the art of service.

Since opening its doors, the hotel has won numerous awards and received countless accolades for its design, accommodation, dining options and service.

The latest tourism development from Federal Group, set to open doors in mid-2017, MACq 01 will be a luxury hotel combining premium accommodation with an element of unforgettable storytelling.

Set in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront, MACq 01 Hotel will feature 114 rooms, all linked to a real Tasmanian character central to the story of the state. The stories of heroes, villains, explorers, inventors, convicts, bushrangers, first people, industrial giants and political mavericks will each be told to demonstrate the diversity of the southern-most state.

Vantage Group

Vantage Group was established in 1999 to operate freehold hotels purchased by the Federal Group. Vantage Group has 11 hotels throughout Tasmania with each hotel operating within its own community environment and each having its own distinct personality and brand.

In 2006, Federal Group purchased the 9/11 retail liquor business. Since this time, there have been further stores developed. There are currently 14 stores across the state, with a majority of these in the south of the state.

Network Gaming

Established in 1996, Network Gaming is a business unit of Federal Group set up to manage the distribution of gaming machines and Keno in hotels and clubs throughout Tasmania, operating under the OASIS gaming and TASkeno banners.

COPE Sensitive Freight

Founded in 1989, COPE Sensitive Freight is the fourth transport company owned and operated by the Farrell family over the generations.

With depots located in all capital cities and major centres, COPE is Australia’s largest independent specialist sensitive freight carrier. The company provides a fast and reliable service handling and distributing sensitive equipment.

Former interests

Tourist accommodation

References

  1. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  2. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  3. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  4. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  5. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  6. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  7. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  8. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992
  9. ↑ Sutton, Keith Blueprint for the Casino industry : Federal Hotels and Wrest Point Canberra: K. Sutton, c1992

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/25/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.