TomiJ

September 29th, 2026 Village Roadshow pursues $2.5 million civil claims against former executivesBy Nigel Benton Attractions/Finance/Tourism/Waterparks/Legal Village Roadshow Theme Parks is pursuing civil claims totalling more than $2.5 million against two former executives over alleged misuse of company funds and resources, following the internal investigation reported by Australasian Leisure Management in April. According to a National Business Network (NBN) report, the company is seeking about $859,000 from former Chief Financial Officer Dean Humphreys and more than $1.8 million from a second former executive, whose identity is protected by a court order. While the claims, filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland, remain allegations before the Court, NBN report indicates that the matter has not been referred to police. Nonetheless, the report says Village’s court documents allege company funds were used for home renovations and luxury vehicles, while Sea World Resort facilities were used for private functions and catering. The company also alleges that an item associated with the 2018 film Aquaman was taken and sold. The second former executive has filed a defence, although its contents were not available to NBN. As reported by Kathleen Skene, Queensland Police told NBN it had no record of the matter being reported while Village did not say whether it intended to make a Police report, and has not publicly explained whether it has changed its financial procedures following the investigation. No criminal finding is alleged against either former executive. Responding to questions from NBN, a Village spokesperson advised “Village takes these matters seriously, and since being made aware of the allegations, we have acted swiftly, appropriately and in line with our values.” The spokesperson added "this matter will be before the Court in October, and we have provided significant evidence in our affidavits to support our position.” Village subsequently said a court date had yet to be confirmed. The company declined to say whether it had made any changes to its financial procedures in the wake of the allegations, which are detailed in more than 3000 pages of documents filed with the Court. When Australasian Leisure Management reported the investigation in April, Village Chief Executive Clark Kirby had told staff that more than $1 million in inappropriate payments and benefits had been identified and that the amount was likely to rise. Village Roadshow was acquired by private equity firm BGH Capital in 2020. BGH’s investors include Australian Super as well as multiple pension funds in Canada, Singapore, and the United States. Image: Village Roadshow Theme Parks' Sea World from the air (top, credit: Shutterstock) and Warner Bros. Movie World's updated Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster which reopened in December last year (below). @themagician Village Roadshow Theme Parks has not filed a police report over $2.5m executive deceit allegationsVillage Roadshow is suing two former executives over alleged $2.5m embezzlement – but has not reported the matter to police, as other questions about the case go unanswered. Theme parks operator Village Roadshow has not filed a police report on the alleged embezzlement of more than $2.5m by two former executives, as its civil case against the men remains shrouded in secrecy. Melbourne-headquartered Village, which operates Sea World, MovieWorld and Wet n Wild, is suing its former long-serving chief financial officer Dean Humphreys for around $859,009. The company is also suing another former executive, whose name is protected by a court order, for more than $1.8m, including the return of an eye-watering redundancy payout. Village is one of southeast Queensland’s larger non-government employers and was listed publicly on the ASX until a majority buyout by private equity firm BGH Capital in 2020. BGH’s investors include Australian Super as well as multiple pension funds in Canada, Singapore, and the United States. In a vast and detailed file lodged with the court, the former executives are accused of using company funds on luxury home renovations and to obtain luxury cars and of allegedly using Sea World Resort as their personal function centre and catering service. The unnamed former staff member, identified in the court documents as “ABC”, is also alleged to have stolen and sold a truck used in 2018 movie Aquaman. Queensland Police confirmed they had no record of the matter and Village declined to say whether they planned to file a report and hand over their reams of evidence. This masthead does not suggest Mr Humphreys or the other respondents have acted criminally. ABC has filed a defence in the matter, however News Corp has been unable to obtain the document as it is being held by the court. Submissions lodged with the court by Village Roadshow claim one Mr Humphreys repeatedly told investigators and fellow staff that co-CEO Clark Kirby knew ‘nearly everything’ about what was happening and, in the case of the cars, had verbally authorised it. Kirby is not accused of wrongdoing and is not being sued. Village Roadshow co-CEO Clark Kirby. Picture: Glenn Hampson Village declined to say the May decision to appoint co-CEO, Peter West alongside Mr Kirby was related to the scandal, or explain how the serious alleged behaviour by fellow executives escaped his attention. ABC’s name was protected from publication after a successful application by Village Roadshow’s legal team. The names of more than 30 other individuals involved with the case – who are not accused of wrongdoing – remain visible and accessible in the public documents. The company declined to say whether it had made any changes to its financial procedures in the wake of the allegations, which are detailed in more than 3000 pages of documents filed with the Supreme Court of Queensland. Responding to News Corp’s questions about the case, a Village spokesman said it was returning to court “in October”. “Village takes these matters seriously, and since being made aware of the allegations, we have acted swiftly, appropriately and in line with our values,” the spokesman said. “This matter will be before the Court in October, and we have provided significant evidence in our affidavits to support our position.” A court date is not listed publicly and, in a follow-up response, Village could not provide one. “It’s fluid at the moment with the courts, once we get a confirmed date we will let you know”. kathleen.skene@news.com.au

News snippet from Channel Seven’s 6pm bulletin, broadcast on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. VID_20260919_101133.mp4 Management states that it will be back and is undergoing routine maintenance.

The website for Sydney action park has been updated. However though it's pretty buggy: https://sydneyactionpark.com.au/open-hours/# The website has information, slides park admission events etc. They are offering duel tickets and duel seasons passes for both Jamberoo and Sydney parks Park map:

Yea spot on mate. Lols don't reply to the forums if you are heavily under the influence 😂🤣🍻

Shortly followed by a half finished Scooby Doo 2 days later. Don't think it is unpopular tbh the one at Luna Park I have to last and them I'm don't for the day and can't go on anything else.

That's hectic! And what a comment to put in.

What is a buttercup

Cool story bro.

Yea fair enough hahah, I was 9 when they closed. Valid points. I didn't know that Wonderland Sydney's last major ride/attraction was the "Aussie Wildlife Park," which opened in 1996. (according to what I have researched, feel to let me know if I'm wrong). My views have been changed.

Why did Wonderland Sydney close if it was not from poor management.

Yea this is disappointing and embarrassing. This is poor management by VRTP. Lols Movie World at the moment is reminding me of early 2000's Wonderland Sydney. I had the unlimited membership from 2016 to 2023, prior to that I had the yearly pass for several years. It will be long time until I will be back at VRTP and I don't know if WOO and Scooby is enough for me to spend my money at VRTP.

Easy yes for me.

NSW is already pushing for same sex schools to become coed: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-25/nsw-government-change-single-sex-schools-co-education-/103145874?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Or for an alternative if you are ever in NSW, Jamberoo has 2 trap door slides. Jamberoo is a much better park overall in my opinion. These some are my reasons: - majority of rides have a height requirement of 100cm, (120cm for funnel Webb, perfect storm and stinger) perfect with families of younger children. - Better variety of slides and attractions including non water attractions (mini golf, chair lift, BOBSLEDS) - Lots of picnic area and BBQ's for guest. If anyone does go to Jamberoo there is a great burger shop 15mins away in Albion Park called Sneaky Burger.

These actions are disgusting, however money talks and the group will probably be back next year. Hopefully without the behaviour.

Screen_Recording_20240130_194701_YouTube.mp4 Definitely agree.

I'm from Sydney, was set to go this year for the first time. That was until VRTP doubled their membership price and I decided to cancel it. Had the membership from the very start. Carnivale has never appealed to me. I would never pay full price to go to Carnivale but would consider half price discount if family and friends were going. If I did go, my main reasons would be riding leviathan, jet rescue and the aqua light show.

HAHAHAHAHA what a name. Yea it was kinda cool. My favourite part would be all the excited guest who didn't know the ride had been gutted. Lols theit reactions afterwards were great. Especially when it was someone who had been on the ride many times to then talk it up to their friends and afterwards left completely disappointed and confused.

My personal opinion is the parkz wesite is fair with the once off occasional nose browning towards VRTP. The forums however seem balanced between DW & VRTP. If you look at Parkz last 10 theme park news articles, five are press releases from VRTP and one is an article for VRTP. One is a press release for DW and one is an article for Dreamworld. One press release for Aussie World and one article for Gumbuya. It is worth noting only one of the the parkz news articles is from last year. Mabye the news articles are no longer a priority or they no longer receive press releases or most likely they are not needed anymore. With regular and consistent updates which are mostly accurate from the likes of @Ogre and @themagician as well as others, are parkz news articles even needed anymore.

Also looks like the train will be cut in half. Hope the full loop returns.

I want a medal. Please message me privately to discuss this further.

I was at Luna Park on Sunday and there has been lots of work being done to Wild Mouse. Heaps of the track has come down and is being stored at the front of the wild mouse store. Most of the inside of Hungary horse is blocked of with some track pieces in the back corner. Is this a track referb or retrack or a bit a both.

I miss @Flora

Dammm this was a tough one. My vote goes to superman escape. If steel Taipan had more themeing and the line, station and launch were in a show building with decent theming I would of given it ST. ST launch is more powerful and is better than the multi luanch spike thing IMO.