References

• Museum Victoria Collection, Item HT 25020 The Henry Francis Chemist business has a long, well respected history in Melbourne, and it made a range of products through its history, including cough lozenges and vitamins. The business began in 1860 when Henry Francis bought a pharmacy in Bourke Street, Melbourne. This pharmacy passed to Henry's son George. In 1919 David Cossar bought the business from George Francis. Subsequently the Henry Francis Chemists business was passed down through the Cossar family until around the end of the twentieth century. By 1972 there were 25 Henry Francis branded pharmacies across five Australian states, with 15 of these attached to Myer department stores. In 1982 Henry Francis Chemists became a franchise and the pharmacies were operated outside the Cossar family.
• Myer, History, A heritage built on market innovation and community involvement. An icon in Australian retailing. Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon worked briefly at a drapery store in Melbourne's Flinders Lane before opening the first MYER store in Bendigo (1900). The brothers continued to prosper, opening another Bendigo store in 1908. Myer's inventive advertising and exciting promotions acted as a major drawcard, increasing customer loyalty. By 1911 Sidney had bought the long established drapery business Wright and Neil in Bourke St, Melbourne. After purchasing a number of the adjoining properties, he established a department store on the site, which he called The Myer Emporium. This store continues to trade today as the flagship in the Myer department store chain. The Myer Emporium captured the imagination of modern women, catering not only for the wealthy, but customers of all walks of life. Sidney Myer was years ahead of other retailers in offering visually appealing merchandise set in an exciting shopping environment. As the business grew in patronage, Myer brought innovative marketing and sales campaigns to his customers. The increasing demand for new merchandise led to the opening of the first Myer factories in 1915 By the 1920s the Myer Emporium had rapidly become a focal point of Melbourne. While the following years would see the world plunge into economic depression, the Emporium would emerge triumphant and Sidney Myer would become a local hero through his selfless acts of generosity. In 1928 Myer opened its first interstate store in Adelaide, embracing the spirit of enterprise.