Sidney Myer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sidney Myer
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| Born |
Simcha Myer Baevski
8 February 1878 Krychaw, Mogilev Governorate, Russian Empire (present-day Belarus)
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| Died | 5 September 1934 (aged 56) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Retail businessman, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Myer Department Stores |
| Spouse(s) |
Hannah Nance Flegeltaub
(m. 1905; div. 1919)Merlyn Baillieu
(m. 1920) |
| Children |
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Sidney Myer (born Simcha Myer Baevski; 8 February 1878 – 5 September 1934) was a very successful businessman. He was born in Russia and later became an Australian citizen. He is famous for starting Myer, which grew into Australia's biggest chain of department stores. Sidney Myer was also a kind person who gave a lot of his money to help others. This is called philanthropy.
Contents
Early Life and New Beginnings
Sidney Myer was born in a place called Krychaw in Russia. This was in 1878. He was the youngest of eleven children. His father was a Hebrew scholar. Sidney went to a Jewish elementary school. Later, he helped manage his mother's fabric business.
In August 1899, Sidney moved to Melbourne, Australia. He had very little money. He also knew only a few words of English. He came to join his older brother, Elcon Myer. Elcon had moved to Australia two years earlier.
Building a Business Empire
Sidney and Elcon Myer first worked in a clothing business. It was in Flinders Lane, Melbourne. After that, they opened their own small fabric shop. This shop was in Bendigo. It became quite successful.
Sidney Myer then started selling goods door-to-door. He sold things like stockings and laces. Even with little English, he was good at selling. He then bought a cart. He used it to travel and sell his goods in country towns.
The business grew and moved to a bigger location in Bendigo. They added more shops. They even bought another business called Craig Williamson and Thomas.
Expanding to Department Stores
In 1911, Sidney Myer bought a drapery business. It was called Wright and Neil. This shop was in Bourke Street, Melbourne. A new building for the store was finished in 1914.
Sidney Myer also bought the Doveton woollen mills in Ballarat in 1918. In 1921, a new building was added in Melbourne. These stores became the famous Myer chain of department stores. The Myer Emporium grew by buying other old businesses. These included Robertson & Moffat and Stephens & Sons.
Myer Goes Public
In 1925, Myer Ltd became a public company. Its shares were sold on the Melbourne Stock Exchange. A new building on Lonsdale Street was started. In 1928, another building was built in Queensberry Street. Myer also bought other businesses. These included T. Webb and Sons (china) and W. H. Rocke and Company (furniture). These were moved into the Bourke Street building.
By 1934, the company was very large. It employed 5,300 people. Myer provided medical help and rest homes for his staff. Some friends worried the business was growing too fast. But it was doing very well. It was also recovering quickly from the Great Depression. Sidney Myer died suddenly on 5 September 1934. He was 56 years old.
Family Life
Sidney Myer married Hannah Nance Flegeltaub in 1905. They did not have children together. In 1911, he became the guardian of his nephew, Norman Myer.
In 1920, Sidney Myer married (Margery) Merlyn Baillieu. She was 20 years old on their wedding day. They had four children:
- Kenneth (born 1921)
- Neilma (born 1922)
- Sidney Baillieu (born 1926)
- Marigold Merlyn Baillieu (born 1928)
Merlyn traveled to San Francisco, California for the birth of each child. This was to make sure they were considered legitimate. The Myer family returned to Australia in 1929.
Myer Family Legacy
Sidney Myer's children continued his legacy. His son, Ken Myer, was a great philanthropist. He helped create the Arts Centre Melbourne. He also led the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Ken Myer and his brother Baillieu started the Myer Foundation in 1959. This foundation continues to support many good causes.
One of Sidney Myer's granddaughters, Joanna Baevski, is also involved. She is a Director of The Myer Foundation. She helps guide how the foundation supports social justice and the environment.
Death and Public Mourning
Sidney Myer passed away suddenly on 5 September 1934. He was in Toorak, Victoria, near his home. The cause of death was heart failure. His funeral was a huge event. About 100,000 people attended. This showed how much he was respected and loved.
Sidney Myer's grave is in Box Hill Public Cemetery in Melbourne. It is a special tomb for ashes. His wife, Dame Merlyn Myer, is also buried there. His son, Ken Myer, and Ken's wife, Yasuko, are also interred there. The grave is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Helping the Community
Sidney Myer loved music. He played the violin. In 1929, he started free outdoor concerts. These featured the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Many people in Melbourne enjoyed these concerts.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many people lost their jobs. Sidney Myer felt it was his duty to help. Instead of firing his staff, he cut everyone's wages. This included his own. He personally paid £22,000 to create jobs.
At Christmas, he paid for a special dinner. This dinner was for 10,000 unemployed people. It was held at the Royal Exhibition Building. Every child also received a gift.
Lasting Impact
Sidney Myer's will left a large amount of money. One-tenth of his estate went to start the Sidney Myer Charitable Trust. This is now known as the Sidney Myer Fund. It continues his tradition of giving back to the community.
The most famous gift from this fund was for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. This outdoor music venue was built in Melbourne in 1958. It is named in his honor. The Sidney Myer Asia Centre building at the University of Melbourne is also named after him.
Images for kids
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Front approach to the Myer gravesite.
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Side view of the Myer gravesite.
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Inscription on the Myer gravesite.
