Łódź Zoo. Photo by Darekm135-Wikimedia

Top 10 astonishing Facts about Edward Hallstrom

Sir Edward Hallstrom is one of the best-known Australian philanthropists who lived between 1886 and 1970. He was the eighth born.

Despite being young in a family of nine siblings, Hallstrom managed to show dedication in his work. He proved to be a great businessman and developed the right mentality while very young.

Many challenges faced his upbringing. When he was four years old, they had to move to New South Wales, Waterloo, because his father’s farm in Coonamble was not performing. Hallstrom has many astonishing facts, and the following list shows the top ten.

1. Edward Hallstrom Started Working at the age of Ten

At age ten, Hallstrom worked to help raise the family’s income. His parents had separated. Being under the care of one parent made it difficult for the family’s income to help meet needs.

Thus, he had to play a part in helping sustain the family. Later on, Hallstrom was assigned the responsibility of managing a furniture factory. Later on, he founded a bedsteads manufacturing firm.

2. He was a great Inventor

Crosley Icy ball front. Photo by Jeremy Mikesell-Wikimedia

Sir Edward developed an interest in the refrigeration industry. This revolutionized various inventions in the sector. In 1923, he invented the Icy Bal. This was the kerosene-powered refrigerator, a significant innovation in the food industry.

It was also his first great invention. The Icy Ball formed the base for effective advanced refrigerators that used either gas or ran on electricity. He targeted the Australian market; most refrigerators were produced under Hallstrom’s Pty Ltd.

 The factory extended its products and services during the second world war to producing munitions. By the 1940s, Hallstrom’s factory produced more than 1,200  refrigerators weekly for the domestic and foreign markets.

3. Edward Hallstrom was a philanthropist.

Bengal tiger sitting on the dock. Photo by Briana Graham on Unsplash

Hallstrom’s desire to promote other people’s welfare was high. He wanted to see a better world where people and animals lived in peace.

He made considerable donations to ensure this was possible. It is estimated that he made donations worth more than $4 million during his lifetime. Much of this donation was directed toward the growth and development of the Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney.

To help the park grow, Hallstrom gave money to speed up the importation of exotic species from different countries. He became a trustee of the park before becoming its manager. 

4. He was the first Australian to be named ‘Father of the Year

In 1957, Hallstrom became the first Australian named father of the year. In Australia, this is an award often given each year to distinguish fathers who show great concern for their families by perfectly playing the roles they have been assigned.

The award is given to fathers who love, guide, and support their children by perfectly playing their family roles. Usually, the Australian Father’s Day Council is responsible for the awards. It is a rare trophy to win, given the number of fathers to choose from.

5. Sir Edward Hallstrom was criticized for his lack of professional Training in Zoology

Hallstrom was criticized for wanting to run the Taronga Zoo without professional qualification. Inquiries were made to question some of his decisions, including using concrete to construct animal enclosures.

They also asked about his desire to develop the park, yet he had no certificates or the proper education in zoology. His willingness to help was only driven by his love for the park and the animals.

For him, the love for animals was adequate to supersede the professional training needed. Scientists claimed that they found it challenging to communicate with him.

6. He was under surveillance for illegal trafficking

In 1966, Hallstrom was under surveillance for the illegal trafficking activities of animals. In 1970, thirty-five more individuals were arrested for animal trafficking.

Legal authorities thought that these individuals were connected to Hallstrom as a campaign towards taking charge of the park in the country despite the lack of professional qualifications in zoology.

Regardless of what the government had against him, he donated a personal collection of animals and birds to the zoo. This private collection was estimated to be worth more than $20 000.

7. Edward Hallstrom received Gold medals from Zoological societies

Dainis Kūla gold medal. Photo by Edgars Košovojs-Wikimedia

Hallstrom’s work in supporting the preservation of nature was outstanding. He involved himself in many zoo activities. For instance, he was importing exotic breeds and funding environmental preservation programs.

This saw him win the hearts of many. In 1952, he received gold medals from different zoological societies in San Diego, California, and Belgium. An honorary Swedish Knighthood was also awarded to him by Queen Elizabeth.

8. He loved Birds and animals from a young age

Yellow-faced parrot. Photo by Charles J. Sharp-Wikimedia

Sir Edward loved animals and birds from a very young age. He always kept these animals in the cages he had made in the verandas at home and even in his bedroom.

Even when they moved to Sydney, Hallstrom’s most valuable possession was a parrot he carried in a cage and a tabby cat. When they were in the city, he spent most of his childhood time at Summer Hill and Redfern, where he could interact with nature.

9. Sir Edward Hallstrom was only educated to Primary School Level.

Despite Hallstrom’s life achievements, inventions, and innovations, he was only educated up to the primary level. He had nine siblings, and providing for their education was difficult.

 His father was a farmer and could not manage to raise fees for all these children.  This made Hallstrom start working at ten to supplement the family’s income. By the age of 13, he was out of school.

After leaving school, he worked under a cabinet maker. This is where he got his idea for the bedstead manufacturing business. When the bedstead business failed, he started experimenting with refrigerators, which became a huge success.

10. He made donations during his lifetime

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

As his business prospered, Hallstrom decided to help humanity. He made financial donations to help the community lead a healthy lifestyle.

One of the greatest is the donation of the cardiac clinic to Prince Alfred Hospital. Edward gave money to different hospitals from his expenses to help raise health standards and facilitate treatment.

In New Guinea, Hallstrom opened a bird sanctuary and added the farm to the New Guinea administrator. By the age of 82, he also opened the Hallstrom Park Bird Paradise Sanctuary, located at Mount Hagan.

 

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