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Australian family business

Australia’s Coopers Brewery family business has fortitude on tap against the coronavirus

May 13, 2020

Australia’s family-owned Coopers Brewery is demonstrating its resilience against the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic by continuing to manufacture and distribute its products while supporting supply chains and the hospitality sector, and protecting its workforce and philanthropic grants.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the sixth-generation family business has grappled with major changes in how it operates, in tandem with difficulties among commercial partners and fluctuating customer demand in an uncertain market.

Coopers, Australia’s first family of beer, invests in $49 million plant

December 15, 2017

Australia’s family owned brewer Coopers has invested $49 million (AUD $65 million) in its future by opening what they have hailed as the most technically advanced malting plant in the world.

Australia’s family owned brewer Coopers has invested $49 million (AUD $65 million) in its future by opening what they have hailed as the most technically advanced malting plant in the world.

Lowy family agrees $16bn Westfield sale to focus on investments

December 13, 2017

One of Australia’s most prominent business families is to sell down its stake in the iconic mall operator they grew from the Western suburbs of Sydney to 35 sites across the US and Europe.

One of Australia’s most prominent business families is to sell down its stake in the iconic mall operator they grew from the Western suburbs of Sydney to 35 sites across the US and Europe.

Founder Frank Lowy, 87, and his family have agreed to sell most of its stake in Westfield Corporation in a $16 billion deal with French retail giant Unibail-Rodamco – Australia’s largest ever takeover.

Rinehart says her work built trust's value

July 17, 2015

Gina Rinehart says some of her children do not appreciate her efforts that saved her father's company and built the value of a $5 billion family trust at the centre of their bitter dispute.

Gina Rinehart says some of her children do not appreciate her efforts that saved her father's company and built the value of a $5 billion family trust at the centre of their bitter dispute.

Australia's most secretive media barons

May 14, 2015

It is the family behind some of Australia’s oldest and most recognised media brands, including titles many of us see and read every day, but its members are rarely in the news themselves.

It is the family behind some of Australia’s oldest and most recognised media brands, including titles many of us see and read every day, but its members are rarely in the news themselves.

Casella co-founder and matriarch dies, aged 87

August 13, 2014

Maria Casella, co-founder of one of Australia’s most successful winemaking family businesses, has died in Brisbane at the age of 87.

Maria Casella, co-founder of one of Australia’s most successful winemaking family businesses, has died in Brisbane at the age of 87.

The Sicilian-born entrepreneur co-founded Casella Wines with her husband Filippo in 1957, after leaving post-war Italy for a better life in Australia. Today the company posts revenues in excess of AU$346 million (€241 million).

Australian media mogul James Packer announces divorce

September 6, 2013

Following in the footsteps of another Australian media mogul, Rupert Murdoch, Consolidated Press Holdings third-gen James Packer has announced his divorce from his wife, Erica Baxter.

The couple were married in the French Riviera in 2007, in a ceremony attended by members of the Murdoch family, as well as movie star Tom Cruise, among others.

In a statement released to media on Friday, Packer said the couple remained close friends and that their three children would be their priority moving forward.

Aussie Choc

July 30, 2013

South Australian chocolate-maker Haigh’s is now in its fourth generation – and it tastes sweeter than ever.

Being stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere is a scary proposition and some chocolate on hand would certainly provide a little sweet relief. If Alister Haigh, the fourth-gen managing director of family-owned chocolatier Haigh’s, were faced with this situation, his choice would be easy. He would pick his favourite – apricot covered in dark chocolate.

Wives bring "a better balance" to succession planning

January 24, 2013

The spouse of a family business leader could be the answer to smooth succession in Australian family businesses, according to research.

The study, by the Australian Research Council, financial advisers Pitcher Partners and Melbourne-based Swinburne University, found many family businesses leaders were wary of involving their spouses in succession planning.

Packer sells non-core assets to shore up family business holding

September 8, 2009

James Packer, the Australian media and casino owner, has resigned from the board of Challenger Financial Services Group following the sale of his 20% stake in the company on Friday

James Packer, the Australian media and casino owner, has resigned from the board of Challenger Financial Services Group following the sale of his 20% stake in the company on Friday.

Packer (pictured) raised AUD$400 million in the sale that is his third asset sale in a month. The move fuelled speculation he is building up funds in order to ward off any potential takeover bids for his family business Consolidated Media Holdings (CMH).