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  1. That's because you know no one else. Ardent media release. Ardent Leisure today announced a significantly restructured Dreamworld executive management team to continue to bolster delivery of its drive to embed global best-practice in all aspects of theme park operations. The new team will further prioritise the ongoing implementation of best-practice safety initiatives, including continuous enhancements in ride safety and all elements of safety systems and procedures. The announcement today will see Ardent: • Commit to the implementation of all Coronial Inquest recommendations in consultation with Workplace Health & Safety Queensland and the theme park industry. • Continue to implement safety initiatives across all the park including rides, attractions and safety systems and procedures with ongoing support from external specialists. • Appoint 3 highly experienced executives as it continues its drive to deliver global best practices across all aspects of its theme parks operations. Recently appointed Ardent Chairman Dr Gary Weiss said, “We will never forget the events of that tragic day of 25 October 2016. I can only again say how profoundly sorry we are to the families and all those so deeply impacted by this tragedy. Every single member of our Ardent and Dreamworld team shares my deep sense of grief for what occurred.” “Like everyone else, I have been deeply concerned by what has emerged from the inquiry over the past fortnight, and this is why it is important that we listen to the evidence, understand all we can and apply the lessons learned to ensure such accidents never occur at our parks,” Dr Weiss added. “We will continue to fully cooperate with the Coroner and counsel assisting throughout further Inquest hearings and implement all recommendations in consultation with Workplace Health & Safety Queensland and the theme park industry. I can assure the public that our focus on safety improvements and enhancements has been ongoing for some time and the new executive appointments will continue to drive that process.” “Dreamworld continues to work with workplace, health and safety authorities implementing measures already recommended since 2016 and provide support to our former and current staff who are assisting the Coroner to understand how this tragedy occurred,” Dr Weiss said. “We are committed to ensuring that Dreamworld becomes recognised as Australia’s global benchmark for theme park safety. The Ardent board has no greater priority.” Having previously advised the Ardent board of his desire, following the Inquest, to transition the role to new leadership with a fresh perspective, Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson has advised that he will leave the business next month. Craig will continue to assist Dreamworld throughout the Inquest and his thoughts remain with the families. Dr Weiss has announced the appointment of Nicole Noye, Ardent’s Group Chief Experience Officer, as Acting CEO of Theme Parks while a global executive recruitment firm undertakes an international search for a permanent replacement. Nicole was formerly CEO of Ardent’s Bowling & Entertainment division and has a proven track record as well as a strong relationship with the Board and Dreamworld’s leadership team. “Nicole brings a wealth of experience, not only as a CEO with significant leisure and entertainment experience, but also leadership in customer experience and cultural change that will set the framework for our recovery and our focus on the type of continuous improvement that delivers global best practices”, Dr Weiss said. Nicole will be supported by the two new executive appointments of Phil Tanner as Director of Safety and former Queensland Police Inspector Mike McKay APM as Director for Culture, Community and External Relations. Dr Weiss noted that “Phil brings extensive experience in safety with a strategic focus and problem-solving ability underpinned by a strong record spanning more than 20 years of delivering exceptional results for the Westfield Group. This included being responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of safety and welfare systems to ensure the safety of all persons associated with Westfield’s global operations.” “As a former Queensland Police Inspector, Mike will lead our commitment to open and transparent interactions with our team, our stakeholders and authorities. Since October 2016 Mike has worked closely with Dreamworld as well as the Queensland Government, tourism organisations, Police, Government agencies, the local community and the families of the victims. He is highly regarded and will now take on a full-time role helping to lead the ongoing recovery and to coordinate with external expert engineers and theme park specialists who have been engaged since 2016 to review all rides and attractions at Dreamworld,” Dr Weiss said. Ardent recognises the unique position of Dreamworld as a significant local and tourism icon which has entertained millions of guests and delivered substantial economic benefits to the Gold Coast and wider Queensland community since its opening in 1981. “We are committed to enhancing and augmenting the product mix of rides, attractions and shows to deliver a memorable and safe guest experience in our role as a significant player in the Queensland tourism market and continuing to provide employment opportunities for our local community,” Dr Weiss said. In closing, Dr Weiss stated, “I would like to publicly acknowledge Craig Davidson and all members of the Dreamworld team for their commitment and efforts to ensure the safety of our guests and our employees and to thank the community for their understanding and support. We are determined to see Dreamworld continue as a significant employer and contributor to the community.” END Further inquiries contact Olga Alexandratos, Next Level Strategic Services – Mobile 0423 824 860 Background Dr Gary Weiss, Non-Executive Chairman Dr Weiss was appointed Chairman of Ardent Leisure Group on 29 September 2017, having served as a Director since 3 September 2017. Dr Weiss is currently the Executive Director of Ariadne Australia Limited. He is Chairman of Ridley Corporation Ltd and Estia Health Ltd, and a Non-Executive Director of Premier Investments Ltd, Thorney Opportunities Ltd and The Straits Trading Company Limited. Dr Weiss is also a Commissioner of the Australian Rugby League Commission. He was formerly Chairman of Clearview Wealth Limited and Coats Plc, a former executive director of Whitlam, Turnbull & Co and Guinness Peat Group plc and sat on the board of Westfield Holdings Limited and a number of other public companies. Dr Weiss has also been involved in managing large businesses with operations in many regions including Europe, China and India and is familiar with investments across a wide range of industries, corporate finance and private equity type deals. Dr Weiss holds an LLB (Hons) and LLM from Victoria University of Wellington and a Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) from Cornell University. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Dr Weiss is Chair of the Dreamworld Committee and member of the Main Event Committee and Audit & Risk Committee. Nicole Noye, Acting Chief Executive Nicole was appointed Acting CEO of Theme Parks in July 2018, having been appointed as Group Chief Experience Officer in June 2018. Previously she held the role of CEO, Bowling & Entertainment Division Australia and New Zealand from 2014-2017. Nicole has more than 30 years’ experience in the retail sector and more than 20 years as a senior and executive manager. She has worked for BB Retail Capital as CEO for BrasNThings and CEO for Diva. Prior to that she held general manager positions with the Angus and Coote Group of companies. She is a strategic thinker with proven experience in leading business through operational transformation and growth. Nicole is a member of the Dreamworld Committee. Philip Tanner, Director of Safety Phil was appointed Director of Safety in June 2018. Prior to joining Ardent he founded a successful boutique risk and safety consulting business providing strategic risk management support to a select group of clients comprising; construction, commercial property managers, agricultural, wholesale, retail, logistical sectors, Government, law firms and Senior Counsel. Before this Phil had a successful career spanning more than 20 years with Westfield including being responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of safety and welfare systems to ensure the safety of all persons associated with the Groups operations. He is a senior risk management professional who has been responsible for the incorporation of safety and risk strategy, implementation and maintenance of safety framework, including reporting, audit regime, training programs, workers compensation, legislative reviews, and liaison with relevant regulators and government bodies. Phil holds a Diploma of Risk Management from Monash University (Victoria). Mike McKay APM, Director Culture, Community and External Relations Mike was appointed Director of Culture, Community and External Relations in June 2018. He is a retired Queensland Police Inspector having served 40 years in the Queensland Police Service. During that time he was also a Detective/Investigator in Charge of Police Stations, Criminal Investigation Branches, the Counter Terrorism Coordination Unit, State Coordinator of the Police Citizens Youth Clubs, Senior Disaster Recovery Liaison Officer for the Cyclone Larry Task Force 2006 and again as the Lead Police Liaison officer for the Lockyer Valley fatal floods in 2010. He also served as the Chief of Staff to the Commissioner for a period of 2 years. Since October 2016, Mike has been contracted by the Ardent Group to assist in their Disaster Recovery and Community engagement following the tragic death of 4 guests at the Dreamworld Theme Park. He has worked closely with the Ardent Board, the CEO and all staff at Dreamworld, the Qld Government, Tourism bodies, Police, Government agencies and the local community. He now takes on a formal leading role in this ongoing recovery. Dreamworld Committee The role and responsibility of the Committee is to provide recommendations to the Board on key strategic issues relating to Dreamworld Committee Members include Gary Weiss (Chair), Don Morris, David Haslingden, Randy Garfield, Kevin Seymour and Nicole Noye
  2. He should’ve been sacked the weeks after the accident.
  3. Dreamworld has issued a statement after adjournment of Thunder River Rapids ride inquest. Zoomed in so people can read it.
  4. Any assumption I've had of how DW run its operations have been crushed.
  5. Very crude layout of the original turntable. What the turntable evolved to. The turntable didn't go from A to Z in one step but took 20 years to turn it into a bastard. When the turntable was first stopped the timber turntable remained but it was fixed in place with only a small portion of the turntable removed. (marked in yellow) The turntable was propelled by a drive wheel which sat on top of the turntable. Similar to a wheel pushing a pirate ship ride. The wheel sat within a timber box. I can't remember if the original floating ramp to the turntable had a roof. Some time in the last 20 years the timber turntable was completely removed and the concrete pad that was under the turntable (marked blue) has been raised where required (marked red). Roofs A, B, C were all constructed at different times after the turntable was removed. The original control panel was in the centre of the turntable but was moved to B. I'm having flashes of memory the turntable was stopped around the time the Skylink Chairlift was built 1989. (only flashes) @themagicianread what I posted earlier today. That is in relation to what you are talking about.
  6. Dam! I thought they would have changed the MW sign.
  7. Catch up from before Mr Wilson: First witness Joe Stenning a former casual ride operator who worked on the Thunder River Rapids Ride between 1999 to 2001. Stenning on working as a deckhand at River Rapids Ride “I didn’t think it was a terribly difficult ride to operate in my position” Counsel to Stenning “where you ever told or trained about possibility of rafts flipping? Replay “No” Rafts colliding or capsizing? “Not that I recall” Stenning on duty in 2001 when 4 rafts collided at the end of the conveyor in almost identical circumstances to fatal accident. He was shown photos of the rafts piled up & flipped. Stenning statement “A raft came over the conveyor & Melinda didnt see a raft stopped at the unload bay. The momentum of the conveyor pushing the second raft into the stopped raft, causing the stopped raft to flip” Stenning “ I was thinking she (the operator Melinda)might have been in a bit of trouble. I think she realised then the gravity of what had just happened to the raft” Stenning talking about reaction of Melinda to raft pile up “it would’ve been quite frightening for a situation like this to happen. I hoped she had been pushing the stop buttons” Stenning “we were taken away to give statements. I wasnt allowed to speak to Melinda again. I didnt see her again for quite some time” Stenning shown an internal Dreamworld Report on 2001 raft pile up. It concluded the accident happened due to guest distraction & the operator panicking and responding inappropriately from lack of confidence, decision making in emerg situation. Stenning “were you ever made away of this report and the recommendations?” Reply “No” Ever asked why you think it happened? “Just distraction from the senior operator” Dreamworld Lawyer to Stenning “You never raised any concerns with the safety department about the TRR ride? Reply “I don’t believe so” Raise it Angus Hutchings (park safety boss)? “Don’t know who that is” Anybody? “No” Dreamworld lawyer to Stenning “why do you think the rafts collided? Your assumption?” Reply “someone wasnt doing their job properly and keeping spacing” Stenning has finished evidence. Other notes: The inquest has now been extended. The second session of Dreamworld Inquiry will be held in October a new third session will be held November 12 to 23 but it may roll on longer after review. Counsel Assisting Coroner has advised the court will be closed this afternoon for a period of time while the coroner and lawyers view the CCTV of the fatal accident from 2016.
  8. There will be a third sitting of the Inquiry scheduled in November 2018. Many of the witnesses will be technical specialists.
  9. Bigfoot Rapids has some type of rail system before the conveyor. @RabbiJodyThe raft was stopped in the unload bay.
  10. @themeparkaddict that's easy. This was taken at our Friday poker night.
  11. Really, what inside gossip have you got? I thought you were in the wait and see mode.
  12. @Brad2912and I were only discussing last night this is the longest episode of Judge Judy we’ve ever seen. Silly us.😛 Said CEO who replaced IMAX theatre with a run of the mill cinema. (To be fair I don't know which CEO it was but it was an Ardent CEO)
  13. You can't expect a CEO to sign off on major upgrades if he doesn’t understand what a theme park is and how a theme park works. All you need is look at Craig Davidson history of employment to understand that he was not employed for his theme park knowledge. Various roles. (Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation) worked his way up. Resident Manager (Ayes Rock Resort) Assistant General Manager (Hamilton Island) Resort General Manager (Hamilton Island) Executive General Manager (Voyages Hotels) Executive General Manager (Hamilton Island) Chief Operating Officer (Anthogy) Chief Executive Officer(Anthlogy) (yes this is correct General Manager Destination Development (Tourism Australia) Chief Executive Officer (Ardent Themeparks) This is the hole that Ardent has dug. Ardent don’t believe it require years of knowledge and experience to run a theme park. Ardent running of DW reminds me of a scene out of the original Jurassic Park movie. Dr. Ian Malcolm: “If I may... Um, I'll tell you the problem with the scientific power that you're using here, it didn't require any discipline to attain it. You read what others had done and you took the next step. You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility for it. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could, and before you even knew what you had, you patented it, and packaged it, and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox, and now”. Ardent purchased a product they have no knowledge on. Ardent doesn’t employ a CEO who has theme park knowledge. Ardent employ a CEO who only knows how to sell the product. Ardent don’t know what keeps the product going. This is like going to my doctor and asking him if my car needs an oil change. Crazy, crazy, crazy. Proof what skeet says is true. Brock's Garage is out of place within DW. Fun Patrol, telling you to have fun is not fun. Remove steam trains for shitty diesel trains. Put a roof on a flume ride. MDMC, MDMC, MDMC Fill the park with cheap ass spin and spews. Does Skeet need to go on? All very bad non-theme park "knowledge" decisions. All these decision has destroyed the DW product but hey Ardent don't even know what product they are selling.
  14. The people who continue to buy tickets when they know DW are cutting corners are giving DW permission to continue.
  15. 501st Legion already appear at some of the Supanova's around Australia. This was from last year. and this year
  16. "After discovering their in-house engineering team did not meet the government requirements to perform the safety inspections, Dreamworld asked for and was granted an extension until September 30, 2016. Dreamworld's former health and safety manager Mark Thompson, who began in his role in March 2016, was then forced to ask for a further extension from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) on September 29 as the park's "Big Nine" rides were yet to be inspected".
  17. Everybody needs to understand the information coming out of the inquest is only snippets of a bigger testimony. Example: Snippet: The Thunder River Rapids ride's official registration with Workplace Health & Safety Qld expired nine months before tragedy. Reaction: DW were running rides unregistered. Truth: WHS gave extension to DW due to circumstances we don’t know about. Snippet: Reaction: DW wasn't spending money on maintenance. Truth: ?
  18. I do believe this is the case and WHS was booked in to inspect it in December.
  19. A person with management or control of certain types of plant must apply to register it with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. A person must not use registerable plant, and a PCBU must not direct or allow a worker to use registrable plant at a workplace unless the plant has been registered. I don't know the laws around this but somebody on here is sure to know?
  20. Oh, my young Padawan you have ruled out Galaxy's Edge opening at Disney next year. The 501st Legion's Mr Lochowicz said the 2018 event was likely to be the final Stormtroopers Weekend at Dreamworld due to overseas licencing associated with the franchise and the 501st Garrison’s charity work. Even a charity group like 501st Legion' requires the Disney nod. 501st Legion spokesman, Adam Lochowicz, said the Dreamworld event had a reputation as the largest Stormtrooper gathering in the Southern Hemisphere, with the Legion consisting of people from across the globe. With success cometh Disney's hammer.
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