Michelides : the tobacco pioneers : a family history  
[the grandchildren of Peter and Michael Michelides]. 

Publisher
Fremantle, WA : Vivid Publishing | 2015

Summary
"This history tells the remarkable story of Peter Michelides and his younger brother Michael who migrated to Western Australia in the early 1900s. From their modest beginnings on the remote Greek island of Castellorizo in the Eastern Aegen, and Port Said in Egypt, the brothers rose to become well-know identities in their adopted home of Perth. They pioneered a tobacco growing and production empire with its agricultural base in Manjimup in the State's deep southwest. By the 1950s Michelides Ltd was producing a million cigarettes a day at its landmark factory on the corner of Lake and Roe Streets in Perth. However, by the 1960s the Federal Government's opening of the market to international tobacco monopolies resulted in the destruction of the local industry. At the story's centre are the two self-educated, ambitious, polyglot brothers who by astonishing energy and careful planning and diplomacy became not only tobacco barons of Western Australia but major benefactos and leaders in that State's Greek community."--back cover.

This remarkable history celebrates the business skills, energy and determination of brothers, Peter and Michael Michelides, not only in their pioneering of the tobacco and cigarette manufacturing industry in Western Australia in the face of overwhelming odds, but also their leading roles in the development and growth of a vibrant Greek community in Perth.
Richly illustrated with photographs and documents from family archives and government and newspaper sources, the book is in two parts: Firstly their arduous journey from the small Greek island of Castellorizo via Egypt to Perth over a hundred years ago; the founding, growth and decline of their cigarette and tobacco empire, Michelides Ltd and their strong family and community involvement; secondly comprising dynamic biographies of their children, together with a detailed family tree.
This is a book of historical significance and rich heritage that details the struggles and triumphs of early Greek migration to Australia and for family and friends to reconnect with, or find their place in, the story of these two outstanding men.

Notes
Illustrations on end papers.

Physical Description
443 pages : illustrations (some colour) ; portraits ; facsimiles ; genealogical tables ; 25 cm.

Dewey Call Number
B/MIC
338.1737109941

Museum Call Number
XXX

ISBN
9781925209686

Subjects
Michelides, Peter, 1878-1966.
Michelides, Michael, 1891-1953.
Michelides family.
Michelides Ltd (Perth, Western Australia)
Tobacco industry -- Western Australia -- Perth -- History.
Tobacco farms -- Western Australia -- Manjimup -- History.
Greeks -- Western Australia -- Biography.
Perth (W.A.) -- Social life and customs.

To view this document please make an appointment with the Museum of Perth: reece@museumofperth.com.au