FILM FINANCING
In the early ‘80s, through its subsidiary Film Bancor, saw the launch of the First Australian Film Fund which was another "first" for Australia in the sense that individual investors usually subscribed to a film - not to a fund.
THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
In 1982, along with Australian Consolidated Press, saw the acquisition of a majority interest in Sydney Pink Pages to compete directly against Telcom's Yellow Pages. During the same year, Penny Carl, Managing Director of Moneypenny Services – an Essington Group company – was sponsored by Essington and awarded the Australian Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year.
Essington took control of J. C. Williamson, a much respected name in the entertainment industry having sponsored opera from Nellie Melba in the 1920s to Joan Sutherland in the 1960s, plus Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof and the Russian Moiseyev Dancers, which company was transferred to Danbury Group in 1986.
International Attractions Pty Limited, an Essington subsidiary, produced “They're Playing Our Song” and “La Cage Aux Folles” which were successful theatrical productions both in Australia and in London’s West End. Other productions included “Me and My Girl” in 1986 and Nicholas Nickleby in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, Essington Entertainment also produced “Big River” which was based on the Mark Twain classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Essington took control of J. C. Williamson, a much respected name in the entertainment industry having sponsored opera from Nellie Melba in the 1920s to Joan Sutherland in the 1960s, plus Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof and the Russian Moiseyev Dancers, which company was transferred to Danbury Group in 1986.
International Attractions Pty Limited, an Essington subsidiary, produced “They're Playing Our Song” and “La Cage Aux Folles” which were successful theatrical productions both in Australia and in London’s West End. Other productions included “Me and My Girl” in 1986 and Nicholas Nickleby in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, Essington Entertainment also produced “Big River” which was based on the Mark Twain classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
MAGIC MILLIONS
Essington venture capital projects included investment in the Ariadne Australia Limited Group and a majority shareholding in Magic Millions which owned the Gold Coast Convention Centre which is still used to stage major bloodstock auctions, including the Magic Millions and Golden Nugget Sales.
