Brad2912

Group CFO Dean Humphries named and has had assets frozen. 2 other people allegedly involved have argued to have their names suppressed. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/gold-coast/assets-of-exvillage-roadshow-executive-and-his-wife-frozen-in-embezzlement-probe/news-story/bd6f2d8696b5abf2db5aa80682847355?utm_source=GoldCoastBulletin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Editorial&utm_content=GCB_PREM_BREAKING_02&net_sub_id=285371427&type=curated_collection&position=1

Think this is a fantastic offering and great value!

Park is open today, Mary is still missing. Overnight search party and heat sensing cameras could find her. At least theft as been ruled out, as their is cctv of her running around the main park at 4am yesterday.

The executive chairman whose family founded Village Roadshow theme parks more than 70 years ago has moved aside, and his CEO son will have to job-share, while the company battles an embezzlement scandal worth more than $1m. Village executive chairman Robert Kirby, whose late father Roc Kirby founded the group in 1954, will be replaced as executive chairman by Peter West, who joined the group’s majority owner BGH Capital last month. Mr Kirby will continue as co-chairman, while his son, CEO Clark Kirby, is now a co-CEO, having also been joined by Mr West, a former Coca-Cola executive. Both Kirbys remain directors of parent company VRG Holdco, along with representatives of BGH, and neither is accused of any wrongdoing. Village Roadshow operates Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Top Golf, Australian Outback Spectacular and Paradise Country on the Gold Coast as well as it national cinema chains, marketing consultancy Opia and its film and TV production and distribution businesses. Clark Kirby emailed staff of Village Roadshow last week, describing the changes as “an exciting new chapter”. “Peter is one of Australia’s most accomplished business leaders, with decades of experience successfully transforming complex organisations,” he said. “His leadership, energy, and deep operational expertise will be invaluable as we sharpen our focus and elevate performance across the group. “As Co-CEOs, Peter and I will work in close partnership over this 12-month period. “Within Theme Parks, Peter will take a hands-on leadership role in Management and Operations, while my focus will be on broader strategic growth opportunities and strengthening critical State and Local Government relationships. “Across Village Cinemas, Roadshow, and Opia, Peter and I will share responsibilities, however I will be taking a more active, frontline role to drive continued momentum and performance.” The Courier-Mail understands multiple employees have now been dismissed by Village as investigators probe allegations well over $1m was fraudulently obtained from the company. It is understood the allegations involve cash and other benefits obtained over a long period of time – potentially more than five years. Among those facing the allegations, which are still under investigation and unproven, is a very high level executive who had been there for 15-20 years and left the company earlier this year. He can’t be named for legal reasons. Village Roadshow told The Courier-Mail Mr West would “lead a bold and comprehensive transformation of Village Roadshow’s operations and leadership, designed to reinvigorate every part of the business and position the company strongly for the decades ahead”. Clark Kirby said he was “delighted to welcome Peter to the executive team”. “The founding Kirby and Burke families together with BGH, see the coming year as a pivotal moment to refresh, re-energise, and elevate Village Roadshow to new heights and Peter’s leadership, energy, and deep operational expertise will be invaluable as we sharpen our focus and elevate performance across the Group,” he said. Mr West has previously held roles at roles at Lion Dairy & Drinks, Mars Confectionery, and Arnott’s and is a non-executive director at Dominos Pizza. In a statement via Village Roadshow, he said he looked forward to elevating the company “to new heights”. “For more than 70 years, Village Roadshow has been Australia’s leading theme park and entertainment company, and I am invigorated to join Clark, Robert and the BGH team to write the next chapter together,” he said. “A key priority will be strengthening our market-leading Theme Parks division, an iconic asset with enormous potential, while also looking at opportunities to drive continued momentum and performance across Cinemas, Roadshow and Opia businesses.” https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/new-south-wales/village-roadshow-ceo-clark-kirby-and-chairman-robert-kirby-to-share-roles-amid-1m-employee-embezzlement-probe/news-story/ec11dfb70f72506ddeeec13620670806

Well at least Gold Coaster won’t be shut down for 6 weeks this year…

Went back to clip them and realised I misquoted/mistook who said what. the comment Magician clipped was part of it but the other part was merely conjecture/assumption by the photographer that it was structural and reinforcement. Apologies for the bum steer

Whoops wrong thread

Some bloke in the comments that portrayed himself as having some knowledge of the project said the works are to do with the structural integrity of the ride, and cracks have been found during the track inspection process which require resolving.

Once again courtesy of @ gcthemeparkgirl

I’ll start by crediting @ gcthemeparkgirl for the photos. Road Runner looks to be getting additional track supports installed during its downtime. I’m no engineer, so I’m not sure whether this is done purely as a some form of additional safety redundancy for the track, due to noticed movement, or in response to an issue at another installation elsewhere.

How does a Mission to Mars fit with Rivertown though? that an even bigger juxtaposition to motorcycles.. Not saying it isn’t right, but it’s weird

You'd have a post count of 50 on this forum if it wasn't for your incessant need for pedantry and trying to stoke your holier than thou ego and one up people. Did you notice how everyone stopped commenting? We agreed to disagree, its called being an adult - something you've failed to accomplish it seems. No comments for 3 days, then along comes Dapto - clearly with nothing better to do with his life, to once again nit-pick, quote grab comments that were not even made to you like you are some light of justice for all people who can't respond for themselves (except they did) - to once again try to prove: a) i know more b) i'm never wrong c) i must be involved in every conversation, and give my 2 cents even when i'm not involved c) i have to have the last say Grow up, don't be a dick (i know that second one is going to be a hard one, so just focus on the first).

You can’t speak for my intent. Nothing I said was malicious - and the accusation of such is utterly ridiculous Once again, “similar” does not equal “same”. Get a dictionary

Both raft rides ✅ Raft stuck at bottom of conveyor ✅ Secondary raft impacts first raft ✅ 3 x ✅ = similar a water ride needing to be evac’d as it takes on water = scary / eerie for those on board. If you think this would be scary to see for the general public… Similar and the same are 2 different things, if you can’t understand the English language, that’s on you

At no point was I implying that it was the same thing as TRRR

In a scarily similar / eerie situation, Thunder River at Six Flags had a tube get stuck at the conveyor, and started taking on water. Thankfully no one was harmed, but no doubt a scary situation especially for the kids onboard https://x.com/newscomauHQ/status/2047654346318639596/video/1?s=46

No one is advocating that this is the way it SHOULD be, just acknowledging that this is the way it WILL be. with the costs of running a business increasing exponentially, businesses will find alternatives that can provide a similar (at least to the untrained, or unperturbed eye) outcome/product/service for less outlay - and AI is providing that. As time progresses, the gap in aesthetic between an AI generated piece and original work will get smaller and smaller, and as sad as it will be - it will be death knell for many in that industry. Admin jobs are already disappearing, book-keeping, programming etc. it’s progress, and the people it directly impacts will protest, rightly, but it won’t stop progress. It’s a train that’s only building momentum so you jump on it, or retrain into an area that won’t be impacted - much like the bank tellers, the petrol attendants that filled your car for you, or the bloke at video ezy who gave great film recommendations had to do.

I’ve deleted my commentary - not because i believe there is anything wrong with what I said, but because by it being on this platform it does implicate Parkz if in the ridiculously unlikely scenario something was to come of it, and I would never want that to happen.

Using information provided freely by the media to draw a potential conclusion isn't a crime. I've not stated anything as fact, nor named any potential implicated individual. At this stage - it is all a mystery, one that may never be solved (publicly).

mentioned no one by name, so haven't thrown mud at any individual. If you want to make assumptions and play connect-the-dots, that is on you.

A senior executive accused of embezzling more than $1m of funds from theme parks operator Village Roadshow had been with the company for 15-20 years, it can be revealed. The man, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, was a widely respected executive and the allegations have rocked the Gold Coast company. He has been contacted for comment. No charges have been laid. It is understood the man is not the only former staffer under investigation by Village Roadshow, which suspects the amount could end up well above $1m and is yet to report the matter to police. Village Roadshow CEO Clark Kirby, who is not accused of wrongdoing, told staff via email last week it was investigating “very concerning serious conduct involving misuse of company funds and resources”. “To date, we have identified over $1m of inappropriate payments and associated benefits, with the total amount likely to increase as the investigation continues over the coming months,” the email said. “While this behaviour is not representative of our business or our people, it is a clear reminder of the importance of speaking up if something doesn’t seem right. “We appreciate this news may be difficult, but we are counting on the integrity and professionalism of our very passionate employees to see us through.” Mr Kirby said VRTP had been supported by a confidential independent forensic investigation in identifying the alleged conduct. Staff of Village Roadshow, speaking on condition of anonymity, say they were able to easily identify those under investigation from details in Mr Kirby’s email, which can’t be published for legal reasons. In a statement late on Tuesday, Village Roadshow said authorities would be contacted, if necessary, after their internal investigation was complete. “The investigation is being conducted in respect of transactions that were not authorised, involved inappropriate payments or involved the inappropriate use of company resources and funds,” the company said. “The investigation is ongoing and, as such, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific matters at this time. “At the conclusion of the investigation, the board will consider its obligations, including whether any matters should be referred to the relevant authorities. “Our focus remains on supporting the business and ensuring it is managed responsibly and in the best interests of all stakeholders.” News of the claims broke amid industry talk Village’s majority shareholder, private equity firm BGH Capital, had been unhappy with its lacklustre results over summer holidays, after competitor Dreamworld banked record visitation and revenue. Village’s statement said BGH was informed of the alleged misuse of company funds at the same time as the company’s board. “The Village Roadshow parent board (which includes representatives of BGH Capital) were notified of the allegations and took immediate action to initiate an investigation, including engaging advisors and forensic accountants,” the statement said. It did not directly address questions about how BGH had responded or on what feedback it had from the 78 per cent owner on the financial performance of the business. BGH Capital did not respond to requests for comment. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/village-roadshow-probes-senior-executive-over-alleged-1m-embezzlement-claim/news-story/13ce1762d1f37058d393fba45b7ea020

I don’t think it will be source of contention for a long time, it will just be an accepted normality shortly. If you don’t believe AI will be on the same level, you haven’t opened your eyes to what AI can, and will be able to do. You will be commissioning AI to do it. And if you commission a human, you’ll just be paying them as a middle man to get AI to do it.

You need to get with the program. AI is the future. No point fighting it. Graphic designer? An obsolete career within 2-3 years with the exception of highly specified works - and even that will eventually be redundant. Cheaper, faster, and eventually, better quality.

no its not. BBC have the global broadcasting rights, they don't own the IP.

That may be the case, it’s a scheduled email in their CRM / database that goes out to new pass-holders “x” days after sign up - but as Dapto points out, if you are going to set up a bunch of automation around your messaging, you need to ensure it’s checked for relevance (especially after permanent ride closures)