Sidney Sinclair

Sidney Sinclair AM OBE was an Australian businessman, also activite in community, diplomatic and charitable activities.

Sinclair was born in London in 1915. He worked briefly as a cadet with Reuters news agency. Then joined Simpson’s–the leading men’s wear manufacturer and store in Britain. By the age of 21 he was production manager, by 23 export manager and marketing manager at the age of 28. He was appointed to the British Export Council at the age of 30.

In 1948 he immigrated to Australia with his family. With his cousin he established [http://www.anthonysquires.com.au/ Anthony Squires] and proceeded to revolutionise the manufacture and marketing of men’s fashion in Australia. The real Anthony Squires was a British colonel of the British Guards whose impeccable dress impressed Mr Sinclair so much that he based the style of the company on his friend.

He was a strong supporter of the Australian wool and weaving industries, particularly during the advent of artificial fibers. In 1974, the International wool secretariat presented him with a plaque “For outstanding services to the wool industry”.

After leaving the position of chairman and managing director of Anthony Squires, Sidney was appointed to the board of the world famous Ermenegildo Zegna company with responsibility for world marketing strategy, and remained the only non Italian director. He carried out marketing surveys in Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa.

His move from an Australian clothing company to an international group was very much in line with his basic philosophy. After introducing a higher standard of fashion for Australian men, Sidney saw it as logical to branch out with the fashion trendsetters of the world.

In 1968 Sir John McEwen, Minister for Trade and Industry, appointed Mr. Sinclair to the Australian Export Development Council. In 1972 Dr. Jim Cairns appointed him to the Australian Trade Development Council, and in 1974 became a member of its executive. Whilst serving on the EDC he was a member of a small group sent on Diplomatic Good Will Missions sent to the USSR, Poland, Romania Czechoslovakia and Japan.

He was a member of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee and of a federal study group on Japan; for six years he was a member of a federal advisory panel on East European countries. He was chairman of a federal study panel to encourage small business to export. He was a constant adviser to governments on both sides of politics, and for 2 years was one of 3 people who advised Prime Minister Gough Whitlam at pre-budget meetings to be used for cabinet briefings, and was appointed to several advisory committees by Deputy Prime minister, Doug Anthony.

He was founder president of the Men’s Fashion Council of Australia and honorary life member of the Australian Superfine Woolgrowers’ Association, an honour that he shared with only 2 others, Sir Edward Lamb [U.K] , and Count Aldo Zegna di Monterubello [Italy] .

With Eric Hurst (an optometrist) and Dino Zingarelli (an engineer), he founded Martin Wells, the maker of high fashion, fine quality spectacle frames. Their "Sillouette" brand became world famous. While he was chairman of this company, for many years 60% of the product was exported and the company won several export awards. The Federal Government used Martin Wells to demonstrate what Australians could achieve in producing fine products requiring high skills and creativity.

He was a director of Austcare from 1993, the Australian organization that cares for refugees worldwide, and vice-chairman by 1995, and is remembered in an annual oration in his name. He believed that his time with Austcare to be his greatest contribution to Australia.

A longtime member of South Sydney Rotary, he was made a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow [http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/1910harris/paulharris/] in 1994.

He served on many Jewish boards. A founder of the Parramatta Synagogue, he was its first President and subsequent life member. He joined the Board of the [http://www.greatsynagogue.org.au/ Sydney Great Synagogue] in 1966 and was president from 1977 to 1980; He was later made a life member of the board and was highly regarded as a congregational elder statesman. While he was President The Great Synagogue celebrated its centenary. The organization of the grand banquet in the Sydney Town Hall for Eleven hundred people was the responsibility of his wife Patricia and her committee. Patricia had previously founded [http://www.wizo.org.il/english/about_mission.asp WIZO] Sharon in Parramatta, and was a member of the Ladies’ committee of The N.S.W. Friends of the Hebrew University.

A past president of the [http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/kay/AH8269.shtml Australian Jewish Welfare Society] in NSW, he was senior vice-president and subsequently president of the [http://www.jcssa.asn.au/ Federation of Australian Jewish Community Services ] . A councilor of the NSW Jewish War Memorial and a member of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, he was also a trustee of the Goulburn Jewish cemetery.

He gave extensive service to the Jewish National Fund, the worlds oldest “Green organization”. With the JNF he chaired committees to establish forests in honour of Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies and State Governor Sir Eric Woodward, favorably changing Menzies’ previously unsympathetic attitude towards Israel.

In 1938 Mr Sinclair married Patricia Sherman at the Great Synagogue, London. They had a long and happy marriage, and celebrated their diamond wedding by donating a hand embroidered white Ark curtain to the Synagogue. Both were tireless workers for Australian Jewish Charity, and in 1992 with his wife he was made an Establishment Fellow of the Australian Foundation for Jewish Community Services. In 1978 he was awarded the OBE for service to industry and in 1988 the AM for services to Australian Charity. He said that work was his leisure, and he worked until the day of his death. He also said that his family was his love and his life.

When Sidney was appointed a patron of Jewish Community Services, It was said ”It is difficult to do justice to Sidney’s attributes. An outstanding intellect, he has superb judgment, is energetic and efficient, generous–not only of his resources but of himself–and a true and great friend. Kind and humane, his concern for the welfare of others less fortunate than himself is proverbial.”

Sinclair was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in December 1978. [cite web
title= Sinclair, Sidney—OBE
publisher=It's an Honour
url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1107849&search_type=simple&showInd=true
accessdate=2008-09-26] He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in January 1988. [cite web
title= Sinclair, Sidney—AM
publisher=It's an Honour
url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=872857&search_type=simple&showInd=true
accessdate=2008-09-26]

References