Follow the journey of Chris Morris, the Morris Family and Morris Group from the 1960s to today, with businesses in tourism, hospitality, aviation and technology operating across Australia and globally.
1960s
Chris Morris’ journey begins.
1966
Chris Morris completes Australia’s first ever computer course at Taylor’s College, Melbourne.
1970s
The heritage of Morris Group begins with the founding of Computershare.
1978
Chris Morris founds Computershare to offer computer services to businesses that needed to automate processes, and eventually provide specialist computer bureau services to Australian share registrars.
1990s
Chris Morris acquires his first hospitality asset.
1994
Computershare (CPU) listed on the ASX
1999
Chris Morris acquires his first pub – the iconic Portsea Hotel.
2000s
Morris Group forms with new businesses being acquired across Victoria and WA.
2007
Chris Morris becomes Chairman of Computershare, by now an ASX Top-50 global business.
2008
Chris Morris acquires CBCo Brewing in Margaret River.
2008
Morris Family Foundation is established as a way to support environmental and social initiatives in communities across both Australia and overseas.
2009
Half Moon Brighton and Lucky Coq in Windsor both join the group, alongside Portsea Hotel.
2010s
Morris Group expands in Queensland.
2011
Orpheus Island Lodge joins the group, the first of a large and ongoing investment in northern Queensland tourism and hospitality.
2011
Morris Group acquires its first overseas tourism asset with Pennsylvania Castle Estate, Isle of Portland, UK, on the legendary Jurassic Coast.
2012
Morris Group acquires Nautilus Aviation and in doing so, grows the largest fleet of helicopters in northern Australia.
2014
Morris Group acquires Jupiters Townsville with a plan to significantly upgrade and redevelop facilities.
2014
M.Y. Flying Fish joins the tourism portfolio, offering guests the opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef in absolute luxury.
2015
CBCo Brewing increases brewing capacity to 9 million litres by acquiring a former CUB brewery in Port Melbourne to complement the Margaret River brewery.
2016
Morris Group acquires HeliFish, expanding its aviation business into the Northern Territory and building on Nautilus Aviation’s large fleet and expertise.
2018
Portsea Hotel reopens following a $7 million renovation, ready for a new generation of Victorian holiday-makers.
2018
The Ville Resort-Casino relaunches following a $43 million redevelopment, bringing a world-class luxury resort to Townsville.
2019
An ultra-luxurious outback retreat, Mt Mulligan Lodge is completed, joining Morris Escape’s properties in far northern Queensland.
2019
Morris Group acquires GBR Helicopters, further expanding the fleet to service the growing tourism and commercial aviation business.
2020s
Morris Group continues to grow nationally with further tourism and hospitality acquisitions.
2020
Following its acquisition in 2014, The Albert Park Hotel reopens in 2020 after an extensive redevelopment featuring Happy Valley, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant.
2022
The 41m Benetti Oasis Superyacht, M.Y. Northern Escape, launches on the Mediterranean, joining M.Y. Flying Fish as part of Morris Nautical.
2022
Port Melbourne’s iconic original steak pub, Railway Club Hotel, joins the group.
2022
O’Connell’s in South Melbourne and The Vincent in Albert Park both join the group, complementing the portfolio of food and wine focused Melbourne pubs.
2023
M.Y. Beluga joins M.Y. Flying Fish operating out of Port Douglas, growing Morris Nautical to three luxury Superyachts.
2023
Julatten Hotel is acquired and reopens, providing tourists and the local community with great dining in an unmatched location.
2023
Ardo Hotel opens offering guests a new level of luxury next to The Ville Resort – Casino on the Townsville breakwater.
2024
Pelorus Private Island opens offering travellers an utterly secluded and indulgent hideaway amongst the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.