Speech by Gina Rinehart AO at the Opening of the Sidney Kidman Brisbane Store
Good evening, Adam, looking great in a Sturt’s desert pea necktie.
Loretta, Caroline, designer Shayna, Lindsay, Karl, Dan, Anel, Dave, Punky, store staff and all special guests, another warm welcome to the Brisbane world of Sidney Kidman. Love watching you enjoy the opening, with so many clothed by Kidman.
A reminder, as you’re standing on the banded iron formation carpet and surrounded by rock shelves, that the basis of our country is our primary industries.
Adam mentioned my grandfather, James Nicholas. I’m very proud of my grandfather and his essential help in opening up our outback, providing roads for his Cobb & Co coaches and providing essential services, carrying passengers, water, supplies, equipment, possessions and mail to those living in tough conditions, opening up our country.
My grandfather was in partnership with his friend, Sidney Kidman, in two stations, and together they provided some of the thousands of horses needed for Cobb & Co.
And as Adam has mentioned, Sidney Kidman, what a pioneer the Cattle King was, and who became the largest landowner in Australia, indeed, the largest private landowner in the world.
Pioneers like Sidney Kidman and my grandfather, we can always be proud of. We can be proud of our history and our heritage.
But have you ever thought, all the thousands of miles my grandfather built and staging inns, as his horses couldn’t canter at night, how many lifetimes would it have taken if James Nicholas and Sidney Kidman had been faced with today’s government tape?
Now, each of you is the first, the first to see our new country to town range, which will be launched tomorrow night at the fantastic Brisbane Fashion Festival.
The first four outfits, minus the lace coats, which are Kidman’s, will be from our new designer, Shayna Jack, showing for the first time her young Kidman by Shayna range.
You may also know our gold medal winning Shayna as an Olympic swimmer who made our country so proud.
Thank you to all who made this new store possible, and our latest Mulga range.
Well, I’ll close now so you can enjoy your Kidman shopping!
Now, I just want to assure you, it’s only a wicked rumour that the doors will be locked and you can’t exit until you buy Kidman!
Enjoy, good night!
