Company Overview
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. We are the oldest continually operating hotel group in Australia.
At Federal Group we recognise that the scope and scale of our company means that we touch many lives. As a family business, this is not something that we ever take lightly.
We are Tasmania’s largest private sector employer with employees located right across the entire state. Including our national sensitive freight company, we employ 2,400 people.
Our vision for the future is to be Australia’s most respected service business through an unwavering commitment to our principles. We believe that earning the respect of our employees, our customers, our industry partners and our communities will ultimately ensure the long-term success of our company.
Our Principles
PEOPLE
We empower our people by providing a supportive and encouraging work environment. We set clear expectations and foster open communication.
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SERVICE
We deliver genuine and professional service to our customers at every point of contact. We place our customers first in all of our decisions, actions and behaviours.
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SUCCESS
The success of our company is dependent upon an absolute commitment to our people and our customers.
Our Values
TEAMWORK
Stronger together than we are as individuals
RESPECT
Treat others as they would like to be treated
INTEGRITY
Always follow through on our promises
PASSION
Deliver nothing less than our best
Celebrating 80 Years Of The Wrest Point Riviera
PAST
The Wrest Point Riviera Hotel was Australia’s first luxury resort hotel. Opening in December 1939, the hotel was the ultimate in modernity and luxury for up to 85 guests with hot water in all bathrooms, telephones in the guest rooms, shoe shining and dancing every night except Sunday’s. A ballroom, circular cocktail bar, tennis court, private jetty and gardens completed the spectacular waterfront development.
In 1970, The Wrest Point tower building commenced in 1970 and Australia’s first casino opened in 1973 going on to become Australia’s third most recognised built structure.
PRESENT
Over recent years the Wrest Point site has been transforming and evolving to reflect the changing needs in customer preferences This has included upgrades to the Convention and Exhibition Centre, use of the Wrest Point lawns for world-class entertainment and the opening of new venues including the Boardwalk, Kwan Ho, Level One Lounge and Bar, the Rooftop Bar and the newly refurbished Point Revolving restaurant.
Whilst all of this has been happening, ten floors of the iconic Wrest Point tower have been fully refurbished with the best accommodation views in Hobart.
FUTURE
In celebrating the anniversary of the Wrest Point Riviera, 2020 will a big year at Wrest Point with a new major redevelopment of Wrest Point’s porte-cochere and foyer, as well as a reimagined Birdcage bar, new restaurant with water views and public spaces and more floors in the Wrest Point tower to be refurbished.
This is just a glimpse of what is to come for Wrest Point as we continue to play a proud and leading role in the next chapter of the incredible Tasmanian tourism and hospitality industries.
The staff at Wrest Point would like to thank all of our customers and supporters who have been with us for some, or all of the 80 years. We look forward to continuing to deliver outstanding customer experiences.
Celebrating 60 Years of Commitment to Tasmanians
It’s been 60 years since Federal Group first invested in Tasmania, purchasing the iconic Wrest Point Riviera Hotel.
We’re proud of the people who’ve helped over the years to make Federal Group Tasmania’s leading tourism, hospitality and entertainment provider.
Our commitment to Tasmanian tourism and hospitality is unwavering and we continue to work on a number of potential tourism projects around Tasmania including the much anticipated development at Port Arthur, while at the same time undertaking a major refurbishment of Wrest Point and ongoing investment at Country Club Tasmania.
The Story of the Federal Group
Coffee breaks
Federal Group is the oldest operating hotel group in Australia.
Dogged Determinism
Wrest Point has a long and proud place in Tasmania’s history.
An Australian Pioneer
The current owners, the Farrell family, enter the storyline through their father – Greg Farrell senior.
Honeymoon in Paradise
The Farrell’s honeymoon in Tasmania, spending much of their time at the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel. They are both taken with the beauty of the island.
A new frontier
Federal Hotels purchases the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel in the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay.
A fateful encounter
Greg Farrell senior embarks upon a new transport business in partnership with Gordon Barton.
Tasmania says “Yes!”
Tasmanians were asked to vote on whether they were in favour of granting a casino license to Wrest Point Riviera Hotel.
Raising funds
IPEC Holdings acquires a controlling interest of Wrest Point – allowing construction to commence.
An icon is born
Construction of Wrest Point Casino officially begins.
Australia's first casino
The official launch of Wrest Point Casino.
Country Comfort
Federal Group develops Country Club Casino and Resort, located in parkland on the rural fringe of Launceston. It would be Australia’s first resort-style casino development.
A tough decision
Unless major assets were off-loaded – the whole empire was about to collapse.
Unconventional
Federal Group opens the Wrest Point Convention Centre, Australia’s first purpose built conference and convention centre.
Moving forward
The birth of a new transport company – COPE Sensitive Freight and the privatisation of Federal Group.
The network spreads
Federal Group establishes Network Gaming to manage the distribution of gaming machines and TAS Keno throughout the pubs and clubs of Tasmania.
A new direction
Greg Damien Farrell takes over the role of Chairman, and soon thereafter the Managing Director role.
Add Vantage
Federal Group establishes Vantage Group to operate the freehold community-based hotels owned by the company.
Local liquor
Federal Group purchases the 9/11 bottleshop retail liquor business.
A dedicated art hotel
A fusion of art and design, history and modernity… The Henry Jones Art Hotel is Australia’s first dedicated Art Hotel.
Creation of a sanctuary
An iconic Luxury Lodge of Australia on Tasmania’s East Coast, Saffire has been named the World’s Best Boutique Hotel.
Looking to the future
Federal Group announces its partnership with VOS construction to operate MACq01.
Unforgettable Landscape
Landscape Restaurant and Grill creates an unforgettable dining experience on Hobart's waterfront within the original sandstone and timber fabric of the 1830s IXL building.
MACq01 Opens
In June 2017, Federal Group opens MACq 01, Australia’s first Storytelling Hotel, on Hobart’s Waterfront. It became TripAdvisor’s #1 rated Hotel in Hobart 5 weeks after opening and has remained there since.
Evolve Spirits Bar
Evolve Spirits Bar opened its doors on the 17th November 2018. As a luxury lounge bar, Evolve offers a sophisticated and intimate hospitality experience on Hobart’s historic waterfront within the MACq 01 building.