At the heart of Federal Group's achievements lies our culture, which we hold dear. We strive to uphold family values in everything we do, from ‘playing the ball and not the person’ to ‘leaving it better than we found it’. 
By maintaining this consistent culture, we're able to attract and retain some of Tasmania's most talented hospitality professionals. We believe in doing right by the people of Tasmania and preserving its rich cultural heritage. 
That's why we're dedicated to creating experiences and workplaces that have a lasting impact. Our principles, which are listed below, guide us in this mission.

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We build things that last

We play hard, but we play fair. And we only play the ball. This means we keep a cool head and an objective eye on our decisions and actions, and don’t take things personally.


Play the ball, not the person

An ancient saying states that when you ask a question - you might be a fool for a moment - but by not asking the question, you could stay a fool for a lifetime. We want all our employees to feel comfortable asking questions often and early.


Never be too proud to ask for help 

This is fundamental to building trust and our success. When we say something - we mean it, and we follow through with action.


Our word is our bond 

We want to deliver for all - not just for some. It is why we are a diverse group and it’s why we serve many different customers.


Never focus on just one customer 

We aren’t in the business of fame. We’re in this business so our guests, friends and customers can stand in the limelight.


Be humble, don’t seek the limelight

This is our most important principle. From daily responsibilities to an entirely new development, a decade long partnership or a new venture, we always leave our venues, kitchens or storerooms (or anything or anywhere else) better than we found them. 


Leave it better than how you found it

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Our Principles

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Our story starts in January 1943, when Greg Farrell joined the Royal Australian Air Force. Only one in three men in his squadron survived WWll; Farrell was one of them.  

Farrell’s war experience of losing so many good men gave him a dogged determination to set up a business that gave meaningful, lasting employment to as many people as possible.  


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On 10 February 1973, as Chairman of Federal Group, Greg Farrell Sr introduced the rest of the country (and the world) to Tasmania with the televised gala opening of Australia’s first legal casino.
Among other spectacles, the event featured the release of 5,000 balloons, the biggest fireworks display ever staged in Australia to date and a nationwide telecast relayed through the Channel 7 network. American entertainer Jerry Lewis was the main guest artist.

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AUSTRALIA'S FIRST CASINO

Construction of Wrest Point Casino officially begins on 14 October 1970 with a ground breaking ceremony. Donning a white builder’s helmet, Mrs Lyons (wife of the Minister for Tourism) broke a bottle of Tasmanian Champagne over a bulldozer.

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AN ICON IS BORN

It all started in 1885, when a group of businessmen joined together to operate a seven story coffee palace in Melbourne. The Federal Coffee Palace Company Limited building had 450 bedrooms and was the largest and tallest in Melbourne.
The years of the depression impacted deeply upon the Federal Coffee Palace. Its directors decided that the only chance for survival would be to seek new clientele by obtaining a liquor license.

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COFFEE BREAKS

Greg Farrell Sr marries Dolores at St Joan of Arc Church in Haberfield, Sydney. Their love and admiration for one another would become legendary.
The Farrells honeymooned in Tasmania, and spent much of their time at the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel. They were both taken with this island, and Greg Farrell Sr vowed to invest in the island state.

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HONEYMOON IN PARADISE

Federal Group purchases the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel in the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay and commences discussions with the Tasmanian Government about the prospect of granting a casino license.
The intention was to create a tourist attraction that would entice visitors throughout the entire year and so change the seasonal nature of Tasmanian tourism.

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A NEW FRONTIER

Early in 1959, Greg Farrell bumped into an old university colleague named Gordon Barton.
Together they would create the most successful transport empire Australia had ever seen – IPEC Transport.
IPEC would go on to develop a reputation as the best mode of express transport for goods around the country. They were trusted with the most sensitive of freight, including Jackson Pollock’s US $3.2 million Blue Poles painting.

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A FATEFUL ENCOUNTER

In January 1943, the 18 year old Greg Farrell Sr signed up for the Royal Australian Airforce. He was assigned to a Halifax Bomber Crew as a wireless air gunner.
Only one in every three who had enlisted in his squadron survived the war. “He saw so many fine young men killed… that he believed that it was his duty to come back and set up businesses that were larger, employing more people than he would ever have employed otherwise because he had to make up for what they couldn’t do” (daughter Julia Farrell).
His experiences during the war would create an overwhelming determination to ‘put back into the world’.
Described in later years as an ‘Australian Pioneer’, Greg Farrell senior would eventually go on to pioneer two successful Australian industries – express transport and casinos.

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AN AUSTRALIAN PIONEER

Federal Group opens the Wrest Point Convention Centre, Australia’s first purpose built conference and convention centre.
The convention centre provided Hobart with entertainment on a far larger scale than previously possible.
The gala opening was the biggest spectacle for the people of Hobart since the opening of the casino 11 years prior. Outside there was a welcome by bands, yachts and patrol boats. Inside the new venue 1,600 people enjoyed a champagne supper with entertainment provided by guest star Sir Harry Secombe, Australian Colleen Hewett and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Tom Jones would be the first big act to perform there.

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UNCONVENTIONAL

In 1936, a local entrepreneur named Arthur Drysdale purchased the piece of land that Wrest Point Casino now sits on and declared his intention to build ‘Australia’s finest hotel’.
True to his word, Drysdale opened the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel amidst worldwide turmoil in December 1939.
Despite the difficult timing of its opening, the Riviera fast developed a reputation as the ‘place to be seen’. The hotel was warmly embraced by the local community and visiting allied service personnel who escaped their everyday lives by indulging in the dances and entertainment staged by the hotel.

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DOGGED DETERMINISM

Federal Group purchases the 9/11 bottleshop retail liquor business.
The chain now operates 15 retail stores across the state providing great product range, excellent service and knowledge at convenient locations. Each store stocks well-known brands across all categories with a strong focus on local Tasmanian products.

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LOCAL LIQUOR

Evolve showcases rare, museum-piece spirits from Tasmania and around the world, and is set amongst an extraordinary collection of fossils from across the globe, dating back to the Cambrian period 550 million years ago. These fossils, which include a Triceratops nose horn, megalodon teeth, prehistoric tortoise shells and a giant Russian cave bear, reflect human curiosity and appetite for discovery – the same drive that ignites the world’s master-distillers in crafting fine spirits.

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EVOLVE SPIRITS BAR

Located on the fringe of Freycinet National Park on the East Coast of Tasmania, Saffire Freycinet was Federal Group’s first construction project since 1983.
Built and opened in 2010, Saffire Freycinet was designed by Circa Morris-Nunn Architects, widely regarded as Tasmania's most adventurous and innovative architectural practice. The lodge features featuring 20 elegantly appointed suites with spectacular views, an exclusive day spa, restaurant, guest lounge and bar. The aim was to connect the Saffire experience to the surrounding environment, seamlessly joining the outside with inside to create a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat. Saffire guests are provided with a range of experiences that connect them with the natural beauty and local produce of the surrounding area.

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CREATION OF A SANCTUARY

After intense debates in parliament and among the general public, in 1968 Tasmanians were asked to vote on whether they were in favour of granting a casino license to Wrest Point Riviera Hotel.
The people of Tasmania voted yes.
The referendum gave the whole debate a legitimacy which would have been unattainable had only the parliament, media and relatively small number of committed people and organisations held sway.
To counter the fears of those who had opposed the casino, Federal introduced measures to ensure that Wrest Point’s gambling operation consistently maintained a strong reputation.

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TASMANIA SAYS “YES!”

It is a modern, dark space, surrounded by the iconic artwork of John Glover, with a simple and sophisticated menu that centres on a selection of premium Tasmanian and Australian steaks as well as seafood of the closest providence, cooked predominantly on the Asado Grill which is fired up daily burning a blend of sherry, bourbon or port cask timbers to give a unique flavour to the dishes.

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UNFORGETTABLE LANDSCAPE

Federal Group and the RACT enter into an arrangement for the sale of Federal Group’s regional tourism businesses – Freycinet Lodge, Cradle Mountain Chateau, Strahan Village and Gordon River Cruises.
Having reviewed its portfolio, Federal Group decided it would focus its efforts on the premium tourism market. This is a logical extension of policies which began all the way back in the 1888 with the original Federal Coffee Palace, namely, the provision of first class premium accommodation. Federal Group announces its partnership with VOS construction to operate MACq 01 – a 114 suite premium hotel, with restaurant and bar in the Macquarie 1 Shed on the Hobart waterfront.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Over the next couple of years the following assets would be acquired: Strahan Village, Freycinet Lodge, Cradle Mountain Chateau, Port Arthur Comfort Inn, Gordon River Cruises and the West Coast Wilderness Railway
Under his stewardship, the family company dramatically expands its assets in Tasmania through acquisitions and new developments. Federal Group begins assessing the parts of the state which had the greatest potential for tourism growth.
This leads to the acquisition of a number of tourism properties and activities in iconic locations under the ‘Pure Tasmania’ brand. The brand was created to help promote the tourism possibilities of Tasmania.

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A NEW DIRECTION

MACq 01 is a “storytelling hotel”, where the stories of Tasmania’s colourful characters are shared in a setting of informal luxury. Each room tells a story of one of 114 characters who have influenced the evolution of the Tasmanian culture, ranging from native people to inventors, explorers, convicts and heroes. A team of full time Storytellers ensure guests leave with a true and meaningful connection to place. Home to premium seafood restaurant Old Wharf Restaurant, the luxurious Story Bar, Evolve Spirits Bar and a guest lounge, the hotel enjoys exceptional views of kunanyi (Mount Wellington), Hobart, Constitution dock and the Derwent Estuary.

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MACq 01 OPENS

Federal Group’s purse strings were stretched to the limit. The Wrest Point convention centre development was costing $20 million, and over $50 million had been invested in developing three new casinos.
A price war in the Australian express freight industry meant that IPEC Transport was also struggling. Unless major assets were off-loaded – the whole empire was about to collapse.
The recommendation from Greg Farrell senior’s accountants and lawyers was that it would be in the best interests of his family to declare bankruptcy.
Greg knew that he could start again. That was not his concern. It was saving the jobs of his employees that concerned him. Bankruptcy was simply not an option.
He knew the decision that he had to make. If he sold one company – he could save the jobs in both.
After consulting his family, Greg ultimately sold 50% of IPEC Transport to Mayne Nickless, a new entrant to the transport industry.
Mayne’s purchase included a put option five years hence, allowing them to buy the balance of IPEC – which they would exercise in 1988.

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A TOUGH DECISION

Transport has always been part of the DNA of the Farrell family. This long and proud history in transport has provided a great foundation for the transport company currently owned by Federal Group – COPE Sensitive Freight.
COPE is Australia’s largest independent specialist sensitive freight carrier. With depots located in all capital cities and major centres, it provides a reliable specialist service handling and distributing sensitive equipment for customers.
The same year, the Farrell family negotiates the full buy-out of Federal Group and the company is privatised. The Farrell family now holds their destiny in their own hands.
They are now wholly responsible for the entities of Federal Group and its many employees. As a family business they are conscious of the scope and scale of their company and the fact that they touch many lives. This is not a responsibility that they ever take lightly.

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MOVING FORWARD

Established in 1996, Network Gaming is a business unit of Federal Group set up to manage the distribution of gaming machines and TAS Keno machines in hotels and clubs throughout Tasmania.
With a head office in Sandy Bay the business unit employs over 30 people and has training centres situated in both the north and south of the state. Professional and highly experienced trainers deliver nationally accredited gaming licence training to venue staff and employment agencies across the state.

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THE NETWORK SPREADS

Federal Group establishes Vantage Group to operate the freehold community-based hotels and bottleshops owned by the company.
Vantage Group currently manages 11 hotels that are all distinctively branded to better service the requirements of the local communities in which they are situated.