Family legacy memorialised

The legacy of one of Dunedin’s founding families has been marked with the launch of a publication commemorating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Hallenstein Brothers.

About 50 people attended the launch event at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery yesterday and gallery director Cam McCracken said the publication offered a glimpse into the Hallenstein family’s extensive generosity and commitment to arts and culture in Dunedin.

The publication outlines the various places around the city where people might find or experience items or impacts of the Hallensteins’ arts legacy.

"From modest beginnings and with the support of forward thinking individuals like the Hallenstein descendants, our city now boasts a globally renowned cultural offering," Mr McCracken said.

"It’s important not to take Dunedin’s reputation for granted, so let us always acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary calibre of arts and culture in the city."

George Friedlander, son of former manager director of Hallensteins, the late Ted Friedlander, attended the event with his family.

George Friedlander is the great-great-nephew of Bendix Hallenstein.

In 1873, Mr Hallenstein established the New Zealand Clothing Company, which would go on to become Hallenstein Bros Ltd.

He was also the mayor of Queenstown, on the Otago Provincial Council and a member of Parliament.

In his speech, Mr Friedlander said it was an absolute honour and a privilege to represent the Hallenstein Family.

The publication was a wonderful celebration of their continuous work and philanthropy over the last 150 years, he said.

"When you look back through everything the different family members have given over the years, it’s quite humbling."

The Hallenstein Family have close ties to a large number of landmark Dunedin institutions: Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Tuhura Otago Museum, Olveston Historic Home, the public libraries and the University of Otago Library Hocken Collections and its special collections.

Mr Friedlander even worked at Hallensteins himself for a number of years as a 15-year-old shop assistant when it was originally located in the Octagon.

Many members of the family, whom his father knew, had always been very conscious of giving back to the community that had been so good to them, he said.

Mr Friedlander did not know if Bendix Hallenstein could have ever envisaged the wide range of institutions Dunedin had today, but they had all played their part and worked well together.

All of them were worthy of a visit, he said.

"He was just a man of his time," Mr Friedlander said.

"He had a great vision, I think, for the future and he passed that on to his relatives down the line, and they’ve always wanted to leave a mark for Dunedin."

It was emotional to reflect on his family’s legacy but it was important to mark those milestones, he said.

"The world is a big place, but Dunedin has an important part to play in it."

tim.scott@odt.co.nz