By Chris Zappone
BusinessDay
Victor Smorgon, a giant of Australian industry, died this morning, aged 96.
Mr Smorgon, whose business empire comprised meat exports, plastics,glass and steel, was also a well known patron of the arts in charitiesin Australia.
A statement from his family said they are "are all deeply saddenedby his passing away peacefully in the early hours of this morning."
Mr Smorgon ''was always highly grateful to Australia for theopportunities this country afforded him and gave generously tohospitals, schools and the arts, particularly in Victoria,'' accordingto the statement from his foundation. ''A great Australianindustrialist and a true family man, Victor is profoundly missed by hislarge family and we are all grateful for the kind words that have beenconveyed to us today.''
Born in 1913 in Heidelberg, Ukraine, he spent his childhood inRussia where he was exposed to poverty, starvation and anti-semiticattacks against his family.
His family migrated to Australia and settled in Melbourne when he was a teenager.
A kosher butcher shop established by his father and uncles inCarlton became the foundation of the Smorgon businesses, which includedSmorgon Steel, once the leading producer of steel in Australia.
Smorgon was acquired by OneSteel in mid-2007, according to Hoovers.com.
Akosher butcher shop established by his father Norman and uncles inCarlton became the foundation of the giant enterprise that Mr Smorgonexpanded into meat exporting, plastics, glass, steel, paper, forestryand property.
Asked to explain the phenomenal growth anddiversification of Smorgon Consolidated Industries, Mr Smorgon oncefamously said: "If you can make sausages, you can make anything".
Ashis business empire grew, he also became well-known for hisphilanthropy in medicine and the arts, with millions of dollars donatedto the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the Victorian Arts Centreand the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre among others.
Mr Smorgonmarried Loti Kiffer at the East Melbourne synagogue in 1937, and thecouple had four daughters. Mrs Smorgon because a respected artcollector and patron, and in 1995, the Smorgons donated 154contemporary Australian works to Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art.
Smorgon was acquired by OneSteel in mid-2007, according to Hoovers.com.
czappone@fairfax.com.au
© 2007 The Sydney Morning Herald
