Article by Christopher Kelly, courtesy of Ragtrader.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has officially opened the inaugural S. Kidman store in Tamworth, New South Wales, which will stock her new brands Rossi Boots and Driza-Bone since buying them out from Propel Group last year.
Named after Sir Sidney Kidman, the flagship store will also sell the new S. Kidman hats.
Kidman & Co is an agriculture company founded in 1899, with Rinehart as executive chair. The business is predominately focused on the cattle and beef industry.
“Sidney Kidman was one of Australia’s outstanding pioneers, leaving home on a one-eyed horse called Cyclops, with five shillings he had earnt in his pocket, the clothes he was wearing, a rope, and no job to go to. From that early start, he built up the largest private land ownership in Australia. And the largest in the world,” Rinehart said.
Rinehart also mentioned her grandfather James Nicholas and Sidney Kidman were good friends. They owned a few stations together and had a few joint business ventures. When Sidney Kidman died, a state funeral was held, and three-quarters of the population of Adelaide attended to pay their respects.
“Kidman as a property group is steeped in history and the board under Mrs Rinehart’s leadership has sought to invest in, save, and re-invest in some of Australia’s historical brands including Driza-Bone and Rossi Boots and have put them into the Kidman stable of businesses,” Kidman CEO Adam Giles said.
“This stable of businesses continues to grow with us now creating our own Kidman brand and we have recently partnered with hat maker Dan Holden to create Kidman Hats, handcrafted to your design right here in our new Kidman Tamworth store.
“What is important for us is to not only maintain heritage but build and renew these brands, to continue a story of provenance and legacy.”
Special guests, including Barnaby Joyce, the Tamworth mayor Russell Webb, veterans, Hancock Agriculture farm and station managers and others gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Gina Rinehart and Adam Giles.
Attendees of this special launch enjoyed Kidman pies, 2GR Wagyu beef, and the signature Kidman cocktail. Shoppers also had the opportunity to have their hats personally fitted and made in-house by Dan.
14. 10. 2024
