Amalgamated Holdings

Australian-based Amalgamated Holdings Ltd (AHL) is a hotel, cinema, film-lab and ski-resort operator that's the dominant shareholder in entertainment group Village Roadshow since the 1950s.

     history

AHL's history is similar to that of the US entertainment conglomerates and UK groups such as Granada and Carlton, traced back to the consolidation of local cinema companies during the first decades of last century.

Union Theatres Ltd was formed in 1913, was renamed Greater Union Theatres in 1937 and half-sold to Britain’s Rank Organisation in 1945. (That 50% stake was repurchased AHL in 1984). The group is controlled by the Rydge family: Sir Norman Rydge was prominent as a company doctor and publisher last century.

AHL secured a 33% interest in competitor Village Roadshow Group in the 1950’s. Diversification in 1987 saw acquisition of hotelier Noahs Limited and subsequent development of the Rydges hotel chain. The Thredbo Ski Resort was acquired in 1987, the same year in which Rydges magazine was absorbed by Fairfax's Business Review Weekly.

AHL has continued to acquire businesses in the tourism sector, notably the Matilda and Sail Venture Cruises and the Featherdale Wildlife Park.

     holdings

The group has three operating subsidiaries: The Greater Union Organisation , Kosciusko Thredbo and Rydges Hotels & Resorts. Details are here.

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