The Legacy of Sir Sidney Kidman

The Legacy of Sir Sidney Kidman

Sidney Kidman (and an unknown man) at the back
of the North Kapunda Hotel

Tomorrow, (September 2nd) is the anniversary of the death of Sir Sidney Kidman (1857). Once Australia's wealthiest man, and largest property owner, who conducted the worlds largest horse sales at the rear of the North Kapunda Hotel.

It is said Kidman never swore and instead would say "Jolly Tinkers" in the place of swear words.

I thought it prudent to share some of the charities that Sir Sidney and Lady Isabel Kidman distributed their wealth too over their lifetimes, and after Sir Kidman's Death'.

May their legacy inspire, and their memory live on...

Upon the anniversary of the death of Sir Sidney Kidman, here is a list of the benefactors of his generosity, in life, and also in death
During the First World War, Sir Kidman donated 3 Ambulances, 2 Fighter Planes, 200 Horses, wool and meat for the Australian troops. He also promised all his workers who served, a job upon their return. His donations also extended to wives who lost their husband in war paying them a small fund of money to help cover costs of raising families without a father.

The Will of Sir Sidney Kidman

Donations were made to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross – and also the Royal Flying Doctors.
The Kidmans also donated their house and estate in Kapunda, “Eringa” to the education department in 1920 – to this day the grounds are still the Kapunda High School, with the old Manse the front office.

From Sir Kidman's Last Will and Testament:
£500 Salvation Army Adelaide
£500 Home for Incurables, Fullarton
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $45,000 today)
£250 Minda Home
£250 Adelaide's Children Hospital
£250 The Institution for the Blind – Brighton
£250 The Protestant Children's Home
£250 The Royal Institute for the Blind at North Adelaide
£250 The Australian Inland Mission
£250 The Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers Fund
£250 The Queens Maternity Home
£250 The Adelaide Hospital
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $22,792.68 today)
£150 Methodist Children’s Home at Magill
£150 The Angorichina Hospital for Tubercular Soldiers.
£150 The Adelaide Central Mission
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about 13,675.61 today)
£100 Kapunda Congregational Church
£100 The Kapunda Hospital
£100 The Orphan Home at Mitcham
£100 The Courthouse for Invalid children and Aged People
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $9,117.07today)
£15,000 was distributed between old employees of Sir Kidman

(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $1,367,560.85 today)

Written by Allen Tiller © 2017

First published 1 September 2015

Revised March 23rd 2017

First published on The Haunts of Adelaide:

http://hauntedadelaide.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/the-legacy-of-sir-Sidney-Kidman.html

Calculations made via: http://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html