Dynasties. Series 2, Kidman /
Australia's cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman, built a massive empire that covered 3 1/2 percent of the continent. For four generations, Kidmans battled drought and family division to stay in control of one of the country's most successful pastoral companies, keeping his dynastic dreams alive...
| Other Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Video |
| Language: | English |
| Language Notes: | In English. |
| Published: |
New South Wales :
ABC Commercial,
2003.
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| Series: | Australasian video online
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this streaming video (Alexander Street Press) |
| Summary: | Australia's cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman, built a massive empire that covered 3 1/2 percent of the continent. For four generations, Kidmans battled drought and family division to stay in control of one of the country's most successful pastoral companies, keeping his dynastic dreams alive. Sir Sidney Kidman was known as the Cattle King, and he built the largest pastoral empire the world has ever known. Starting with nothing, he came to own 3 1/2 percent of Australia, and his properties cut a swathe from north to south of the continent, following the rivers and floodplains of the red centre. This massive territory allowed him to survive when others didn't. Sidney Kidman moved his men and cattle like a general in charge of an army. Stories of the commitment he demanded and loyalty he inspired abounded. And when drought left others bankrupt, he prospered. He was Australia's most famous millionaire "" and a bush legend in his own lifetime. Today, Sidney Kidman's descendents still control the empire he founded. For four generations, they have struggled to keep their founder's dream alive "" in the face of family division and drought. Now parts of the Kidman empire are in the grip of the worst drought they've seen since his lifetime. And loyal cattlemen, who have worked for the family since the beginning, are facing the ruin of everything they've worked for. At Naryilco Station, loyalty to Kidmans has been a byword for generations "" but it's now under pressure as never before. This documentary follows the progress of descendant Will Abel Smith, as he struggles to follow in his great grandfather's footsteps "" and bridge the ever-widening gap between the corporate demands of the city and the traditions of the bush. |
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| Item Description: | Title from resource description page (viewed October 29, 2014). Australia's cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman, built a massive empire that covered 3 1/2 percent of the continent. For four generations, Kidmans battled drought and family division to stay in control of one of the country's most successful pastoral companies, keeping his dynastic dreams alive. Sir Sidney Kidman was known as the Cattle King, and he built the largest pastoral empire the world has ever known. Starting with nothing, he came to own 3 1/2 percent of Australia, and his properties cut a swathe from north to south of the continent, following the rivers and floodplains of the red centre. This massive territory allowed him to survive when others didn't. Sidney Kidman moved his men and cattle like a general in charge of an army. Stories of the commitment he demanded and loyalty he inspired abounded. And when drought left others bankrupt, he prospered. He was Australia's most famous millionaire -- and a bush legend in his own lifetime. Today, Sidney Kidman's descendents still control the empire he founded. For four generations, they have struggled to keep their founder's dream alive -- in the face of family division and drought. Now parts of the Kidman empire are in the grip of the worst drought they've seen since his lifetime. And loyal cattlemen, who have worked for the family since the beginning, are facing the ruin of everything they've worked for. At Naryilco Station, loyalty to Kidmans has been a byword for generations -- but it's now under pressure as never before. This documentary follows the progress of descendant Will Abel Smith, as he struggles to follow in his great grandfather's footsteps -- and bridge the ever-widening gap between the corporate demands of the city and the traditions of the bush. |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (28 min.). |
| Playing Time: | 00:27:21 |