Highs and lows of ABC Learning

Timeline of the Eddy Groves and ABC Learning saga:

1988

* Eddy Groves and wife Le Neve open a childcare centre in Ashgrove, Brisbane under the name ABC Learning

2001

* ABC Learning floats on the ASX with 41 centres

2005

* After-tax profit of $52.3 million, with 697 centres across Australia

2006

* Becomes world's biggest childcare company after overseas purchases

2007

* After-tax profit of $143 million, shares hit $8.80

2008

* Groves says he and wife used margin loans to buy shares in the company. Directors forced to dump shares

* ABC sells off its 60 per cent stake in its US childcare company to pay down debt

* Groves' NBL team the Brisbane Bullets folds

* ABC reveals $213 million writedown

* Trading in ABC shares suspended after the company failed to release its 2007-08 earnings

* Groves leaves ABC Learning with reported $800,000 payout

* ABC Learning enters voluntary administration

2009

* Receivers find operators to run about 200 Australian centres, roughly 700 remain unsold

* Groves agrees to a freeze on his assets

2011

* 60 ABC Learning Centre's are rebranded as Goodstart Early Learning

2012

* Groves set to stand trial on breaching Corporations Act

* Former director Martin Kemp found not guilty of breaching his directors' duties, as a consequence Groves' case was reviewed and charges discontinued

2013

* Groves allowed to leave Australia for Canada but declared bankrupt with personal debts totalling $23 million

2015

* ABC's chief financial officer James Black avoids jail after admitted to his role in concealing $46.5 million from shareholders

2016

* Investigations into ABC's collapse close after Commonwealth prosecutors determine there is no reasonable chance of further convictions