February 25, 2026

Ronald & Harley Graduate from the Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve Program!

We are proud to celebrate two of our very own from the Casino Bars team — Ronald Walsh and Harley Brockie — who have successfully graduated from the Dream, Believe, Achieve (DBA) program!

The DBA program is a transformational community initiative delivered by the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Community Foundation. It supports participants to gain industry-recognised qualifications, practical work experience, mentoring and career-building skills, helping people overcome barriers and step confidently into employment pathways.

Ronald and Harley both completed their training with dedication and commitment, and this graduation marks a significant milestone in their careers. Pictured is Ronald with Adam Baillie MP, State Member for Townsville, and Luke Wakeman from Lite Haus International — one of the generous corporate sponsors — who presented each graduate with a refurbished laptop to support their ongoing professional development.

This achievement reflects not only their hard work and resilience but also the power of education, support and self-belief — truly embodying Excellence and the VIIBES Values.

Congratulations Ronald and Harley!

Supporting local kids with Gorden Tallis on Palm Island

Our community partnership with Fuel for Schools is already making a real difference — and earlier this month it reached Palm Island with the help of proud local legend and NRL great Gorden Tallis.
Fuel for Schools, led by Operations Manager Paddy Pool, delivers practical support programs that help kids stay engaged, confident, and ready to learn. Thanks to our partnership, the team stayed at The Ville precinct before heading across to Palm Island for two big days of activities, mentoring sessions, and conversations with students.

Gorden joined the Fuel for Schools crew on the ground, giving his time to speak with local kids, run activities, and share stories about resilience, culture, and backing yourself. The team also distributed a large donation of Cowboys clothing provided by the Cowboys Leagues Club — a moment that created plenty of smiles.

This is just the beginning of our partnership with Fuel for Schools, and we’re proud to stand behind an organisation doing meaningful work for young people in our region, especially in remote communities.
We look forward to supporting the program further throughout 2026, starting with the Margaritaville event in May, where $1 from every margarita sold will be donated directly to Fuel for Schools.
Great work team your everyday efforts make partnerships like this possible.

In March, ten members of our team spent half a day volunteering at Foodbank Queensland’s Townsville Distribution Centre, supporting their vital hamper‑packing program for families facing food insecurity across our region.

We were given this amazing opportunity thanks to our ongoing partnership with Foodbank Queensland, a relationship that allows us to directly contribute to the wellbeing of local families doing it tough.

The team arrived ready to help and quickly saw just how important this work is. Foodbank shared that in some local schools, up to 28% of students arrive without food to start their day. It was a powerful reminder of the very real challenges many families are experiencing right here in our community.

With that in mind, the team set themselves a challenge: to beat the previous record of 200 hampers packed in three hours. Once the work began, it was all hands on deck. Everyone found their rhythm, jumped in where needed, and kept going until the very last item was packed.

By the end of the session, the team had packed an incredible 339 hampers, smashing the previous record and providing enough nutritious meal kits to support 339 families. Foodbank shared their gratitude, noting that programs like this simply wouldn’t be possible without volunteers who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

Beyond the numbers, the day was a meaningful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together with purpose. It was teamwork in its truest form, and a chance to give back to a community that continues to support us.

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, represented The Ville precinct with pride, and helped make a genuine difference. Foodbank has passed on a certificate of appreciation and a group photo from the day, and they’ve welcomed the team back anytime for another round of hamper packing.
Well done to all involved, an outstanding effort for an important cause.

It’s hard to believe it’s been two months since our last engagement update, because so much has been happening across The Ville precinct. The pace has been fast, but the progress has been meaningful, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the standout moments from the past few weeks.

I had the privilege to attend the TBWC International Women’s Day event where Anna Meares, the most decorated Olympic medallist of all time, was the keynote. Her message on resilience, focus and leadership really resonated with everyone in the room and her story was nothing short of impressive. It was inspiring to see so many of our team members engage in the day and carry those conversations back into the workplace. It reinforced how committed we are to building a culture where everyone feels supported to grow and lead.

We celebrated our latest Leadership Excellence graduates. This program has been a special investment in our team’s future, and seeing our people step up, lean in and develop their leadership capability is something I’m incredibly proud of. Congratulations to all involved.

Another standout has been the way our team continues to show up in the community. Whether you’ve been volunteering, supporting our partners, or simply representing The Ville precinct with pride, you’ve embodied our values in a very real way. This is strengthened by our partnerships with community programs such as Foodbank, Ronald McDonald House Charity and many more, it’s been fantastic to see our team make a genuine impact.

And of course, the Staff Party earlier this month was one to remember. The energy, the attendance, and the impressive costumes were a reminder of the spirit that makes this team so special. It was also incredibly meaningful to recognise some major service anniversaries, seeing teammates who have dedicated years (and in some cases, decades) to this precinct was one of the most memorable moments of the night.

We also had the chance to recognise our Team of the Year award winners at the Staff Party; a fantastic moment to celebrate the individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond and embody what makes this precinct special.

Looking ahead, there’s plenty to be excited about. We’re gearing up for Margaritaville and preparing to celebrate a major milestone; The Ville’s 40th Birthday in June! This year, we’ll be donating $1 from every margarita sold to two special local charities: Angel Paws and Fuel for Schools, with the goal of smashing last year’s fundraising total of more than $10,000 raised across our Margaritaville events.

These moments give us a great opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come from, the impact we create in our community, and what we’re continuing to build together.

We’re also placing a renewed focus on Workplace Health and Safety. Each of us plays a role in creating a safe, supportive environment. Please continue to speak up, raise concerns early and support your teams in keeping safety at the forefront. This is critical to our culture and our success.

Our next Townhall isn’t far away either, so keep an eye out for the announcement and make sure you RSVP as soon as you can. It’s an important opportunity for us to reconnect and look forward together.

Finally, thank you for your continued effort throughout what has been a challenging seasonal period. Tropical weather brings its share of curveballs, your flexibility, teamwork and commitment to delivering strong guest experiences has not gone unnoticed. We simply couldn’t do this without you.

Thank you for everything you bring to The Ville precinct. I’m proud to lead this team and excited for what’s ahead.

— Tim

The Ville precinct’s 2026 Margaritaville events has wrapped up on a high note, delivering record-breaking attendance and raising an impressive $9,479 at brought together locals and visitors alike, all while supporting causes that make a real difference in our community.

Over the Easter Long Weekend, Margaritaville raised $4,472 for local charity Angel Paws, with $1 from every margarita sold supporting the care, feeding and medical treatment of rescued dogs and cats. This result was made possible through a true whole‑of‑team effort, spanning events, bars, operations, security, marketing and front‑of‑house teams working seamlessly together.

Building on that momentum, the May Margaritaville event proudly raised $5,007for Fuel For Schools, helping support local students and families across our region. Every margarita sold on the day contributed directly to this cause, reinforcing how our events can create meaningful impact beyond the precinct.

Thank you to all teams involved in bringing Margaritaville to life this season. Your effort, energy and collaboration continue to make these events not only a highlight for our guests, but a powerful way for The Ville precinct to support the wider Townsville community.

Preparations are well underway for a party four decades in the making, as The Ville Resort-Casino celebrates it’s 40th year as part of the Townsville community.

Originally opening in June 1986 as Sheraton Breakwater Casino, the property has played a
major role in North Queensland’s growth as a tourism destination, and one of the region’s
biggest hospitality employers.

The Ville CEO Tim Richardson said reaching the 40-year milestone was a great opportunity
to reflect on the significant role the precinct has played in the community since it opened.

“For the past four decades, The Ville has been so much more than just a leisure and
entertainment destination for the Townsville community,” Mr Richardson said.

“It’s played a key role in the city’s economic growth, helping to position Townsville and the
broader North Queensland region as a destination for domestic and international travellers
alike.”

“The Ville’s also been pivotal in attracting major conferences, events, and entertainment to
the city; provides valuable support for local community and sporting groups through donations
and sponsorship; and is currently employing over 1,000 locals.”

The iconic hotel has undergone several facelifts over the past four decades, but none quite
as transformational as when it was purchased by Morris Group in 2014.

After a major $45 million redevelopment was completed in 2018, The Ville Resort-Casino was
given a new lease on life, relaunching it to a whole new market of leisure-seekers with vibrant,
resort-style accommodation, and world-class dining outlets.

Since then, Morris Group’s investment in the region has increased further with the completion
of a new luxury accommodation at Pelorus Private Island; major renovations at Orpheus
Island Lodge; and the development of the brand new $80 million five-star hotel, Ardo, located
next door to The Ville.

Founder and Executive Chairman Chris Morris said Morris Group was passionate about
providing unique tourism experiences that celebrate the natural beauty of the region.

“Ever since my first visit, I’ve been in love with North Queensland – there really is no other
place in the world like it,” Mr Morris said.

“Since then, I’ve wanted to build places that really allows people to enjoy the amazing natural
beauty of the region to its fullest, and The Ville has delivered that in spades.

“But it’s also continued to be a place that is really special to the local community, which is
probably the thing we’re most proud of, and why we are committed to continuing to invest in
this region.”

The Ville’s 40th birthday celebrations kick off in the coming weeks with a special installation
on the property that pays tribute to the people, moments, and memories that have helped
shape its legacy.

General Manager of Marketing and Community Kimberley Wilkinson said a full calendar of
events throughout June would provide several opportunities for the community to celebrate
The Ville in their own way.

“The Ville has always been an integral part of this community and its story,” Ms Wilkinson
said.

“For 40 years, locals have celebrated life’s big moments with us and that’s something we’re
incredibly proud of.

“So, this 40th birthday is less about us celebrating, and more about the community gathering
together to share their memories and celebrate everything this precinct has meant to them
over the last four decades.”

Locals who have a special memory or story to share as part of The Ville’s 40-year celebrations
are invited to email[email protected].

Throughout June, The Ville will come alive with a vibrant calendar of events and offers,
marking its ruby jubilee with a month-long celebration for locals and visitors. From exclusive
hotel packages and dining offers to free live entertainment every weekend, The Ville is pulling
out all the stops to celebrate the community that has become so key to its story.

Discover the full range of birthday celebrations and offers atthe-ville.com.au/turns-40/

Behind every milestone, celebration and unforgettable moment across the past 40 years at The Ville Resort-Casino are the people who made them possible.

Long before the resort-style suites, bougainvillea-framed poolside and skyline sunsets that define The Ville today, there were teams of passionate staff helping build something entirely new for Townsville – and for many of them, it quickly became far more than just a workplace.

As The Ville celebrates its ruby jubilee, four remarkable team members: Allan Carr, Tony Johnson, Kerry Beeston and Eric Gulson – are marking the milestone in the most extraordinary way possible: by celebrating 40 years of service alongside it. Together, their memories tell the story not only of a property evolving over four decades, but of friendships formed, careers shaped and a culture that has stood the test of time.

There’s a certain magic they all remember about those early days in 1986. Before the doors officially opened, anticipation rippled through the city. Offsite, staff trained and tested their skills while inside, final touches transformed the property into North Queensland’s newest destination.

For Kerry Beeston, who arrived from New Zealand after accepting an opportunity to help open the original Sheraton Breakwater Casino-Hotel, the atmosphere was electric from the moment she walked through the doors. “The place was buzzing with excitement and anticipation,” she recalls. “Every department had teams setting up bars, restaurants and rooms and fitting uniforms.”

Her first glimpse of the casino floor has never left her.

“It was vast, pink, red and empty,” she says with a laugh. “I often tell customers I’m older than the furniture.”

Then came opening night – a moment many describe as unlike anything Townsville had ever seen before. Champagne flowed, celebrities arrived and crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder around gaming tables – dressed to the nines in ball gowns and suits.

“It had a Monte Carlo casino feel about it,” Beeston says. “Two Up was heaving and the cheering and chanting was deafening.”

Allan Carr remembers weaving through packed crowds while cheers erupted around the Craps tables, witnessing guests experience a casino for the very first time. For Tony Johnson, however, it was the legendary New Year’s Eve celebrations that truly captured the spirit of the era – casino staff in elaborate fancy dress, and one memorable year, an entire Two Up crew dressed as Elvis.

Of course, much has changed since those early years. The transition from Jupiters to The Ville marked a new era, while major investments transformed the property into the entertainment and hospitality precinct it is today. Technology reshaped gaming floors, new venues emerged and the precinct continued to evolve alongside Townsville itself.

But when these long-serving staff reflect on what has endured through every decade of change, the answer is unanimous: the people.

For Beeston, the heart of The Ville has always been its sense of connection – not only with guests, but with each other. She recalls staff rallying together after the 2019 floods, helping colleagues clean out flooded homes, and again after the Night of Noah in 1998, when casino dealers stepped in as makeshift waiters to serve stranded guests’ breakfast.

“It’s a special place with a special team,” she says.

That same sense of belonging is what has inspired so many to stay. What began for Beeston as a stopover on a backpacking adventure became a life, a career and a home. Along the way, the role taught her resilience, patience and the importance of human connection.

“Players swing by my table to show me photos of their grandbabies or tell me about their holidays,” she says. “They want to connect. It’s the essence of hospitality.”

Forty years on, the stories shared by Allan, Tony, Kerry and Eric reveal something deeper than longevity. They speak to a workplace that has grown alongside its people, one built on opportunity, adaptability and genuine connection.

And while the skyline, branding and gaming floors may have changed over the decades, the spirit of The Ville remains exactly what it has always been: people creating memorable moments for people.

Discover the full range of birthday celebrations and offers at https://thevilleresortcasino.com/turns-40/

For The Ville Resort-Casino, community has never been something that exists outside its doors – it’s part of who they are.

Long before Ardo reshaped Townsville’s skyline, The Ville had already become woven into the fabric of North Queensland through the events, partnerships and people that bring the region together.

While the resort is known today as one of Townsville’s leading tourism and entertainment destinations, its impact reaches far beyond hospitality.

Behind the scenes, long-standing partnerships with local charities, sporting organisations, schools, environmental initiatives and small businesses continue to shape the way the organisation invests back into the community that has supported it for four decades.

One particularly meaningful initiative in 2025 saw The Ville partner with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia (RMHCNA) to create a special weekend away for young Tobias and his family following an incredibly challenging health journey.

For a family navigating unimaginable circumstances, the experience offered something simple but powerful – time together, moments of joy and the chance to make memories outside of hospital walls.

It was a reminder that community impact is not always measured in grand gestures, but often in the quieter moments that matter most.

That same philosophy continues across The Ville’s wider community partnerships.

Each year, more than $2 million is invested back into the community through sponsorships, fundraising support, venue partnerships and bespoke initiatives supporting causes across North Queensland.

From supporting Indigenous youth opportunities through the Clontarf Foundation to contributing to environmental protection through Reef Keepers – including donating $5 from every hotel stay toward reef conservation – many of The Ville’s partnerships are focused on creating meaningful, long-term impact across the region.

Community support also extends into the everyday operations of the business.

From local suppliers and trades to creatives, event stylists and boutique producers, The Ville actively prioritises working with North Queensland businesses wherever possible – creating opportunities that flow back into the local economy and strengthen long-term regional relationships.

Whether it’s locally sourced guest products, collaborations with Townsville suppliers or partnerships helping bring major events such as NAFA to life, supporting local has become part of the organisation’s DNA.

For General Manager of Marketing and Community Kimberley Wilkinson, that connection to community is what continues to drive the business forward.

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of the North Queensland community,” she said.

“Our role extends beyond tourism and hospitality. We want to create meaningful impact locally – whether that’s through supporting charities, partnering with sporting organisations, investing in local suppliers or helping deliver opportunities for future generations.”

As a Hero Partner of the Townsville Fire – winners of five WNBL championships over the past decade – The Ville continues to champion the growth of women’s sport in North Queensland while helping create stronger pathways for emerging young athletes.

With its partnership recently extended through to the 2027-28 season, The Ville reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the club and the continued development of elite female sport in the region, contributing more than $2.5M over 5 years toward its future growth.

“Our partnership with the Townsville Fire is about far more than sponsorship,” said Kimberley Wilkinson, General Manager of Marketing and Community.

“It’s about backing women in sport, investing in future talent and supporting a club that brings so much pride and connection to the North Queensland community.”

As The Ville continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged – a commitment to ensuring growth is shared with the community growing alongside it.

Because for The Ville, success has always meant growing together.

Discover the full range of birthday celebrations and offers at The Ville Turns 40.