The Kidman line reflects the durability and practicality that Australia is known for.
It all started with the determination and vision of Australian legend the ‘Cattle King’ Sir Sidney Kidman. Kidman left home at 13 years of age with just five shillings he’d earned and a one-eyed horse named Cyclops – and went on to build the largest private landholding in Australia, and one of the largest pastoral empires in the world. His success wasn’t just about owning land; it was about understanding it. Kidman had an instinct for reading its seasons, its challenges, and most importantly, its potential. Through sheer grit, perspiration and determination, he became a pillar of rural Australia starting with his first station in the late 1800s and building to 100 stations, in his heyday.
His life’s work intertwined with another great figure in Aussie history: James Nicholas. The two became friends and trusted partners, working together in the transport and pastoral industries, where they both left their marks on the Australian landscape. Together, they were instrumental in the expansion of Cobb & Co, the essential coaching company that bridged the remote corners of our country. A partnership driven by thinking ahead, understanding opportunities, connecting people with what they needed in the bush, making life possible away from the cities.
Their legacy lives on in Nicholas’ granddaughter Gina Rinehart, Kidman’s executive chair, and another great contributor to our country. Like her grandfather James Nicholas and Sir Sidney Kidman, Gina grew up with a deep love for our land and values of resilience, hard work, and innovation.
In 2016, history came full circle when a joint venture between Gina’s private company, Hancock Prospecting and Shanghai CRED acquired S.Kidman & Co – the company founded by Kidman over 125 years ago. The acquisition was driven by a desire to invest further in the agricultural industry and to continue the Kidman legacy, as well as honour Gina's grandfather and the profound connection the two men have to Australian history.
Now, Gina has a new vision for S.Kidman. While the company will always be linked to its cattle empire roots, it’s evolving. S.Kidman is expanding into a new frontier: a premium, heritage-inspired clothing line that captures the essence of the outback. It’s a celebration of Australia’s traditions, our landscapes, and the hardworking fantastic Australians who make it what it is.