User:Screech1616/sandbox

Early Life

Con Polites was born in Port Pirie to Greek immigrant parents. He left school at 15 and became a shoe repairer, later running a delicatessen, working in a Woolworths supermarket, and managing a munitions factory during World War II.^[2] As a young man he moved to Sydney where he worked in the taxi, car hire, and catering industries before returning to Adelaide in 1959.^[3]

Property Empire

Upon his return to Adelaide in 1959, Polites commenced purchasing cheap city buildings, renovating them and leasing them out to migrants.^[4] Establishing the Princes Group, Polites became one of the most visible property owners in South Australia by erecting blue and white "Polites" on most of the properties owned. In 1989, the Australian Financial Review estimated his minimum net worth to be $70 million.^[5]

Profile

Con Polites became a colourful personality within Adelaide, becoming known for his extravagant Cadillac and Rolls Royce cars, and usually seen smoking a cigar.^[6] Polites was once known as the "king of Hindley Street".^[7]

In 1966, Polites funded the expenses of Dutch psychic Gerard Croiset to travel to Adelaide and unsuccessfully assist in the search for the missing Beaumont Children. Later in 1996, he organised a search of a Somerton Park warehouse, including drilling holes, in an effort to determine if the children were buried there.^[8]

Properties

The following properties were known to be part of the Polites portfolio:

Personal Life

Con Polites married Florence Gemenis and had three children, Elen, Evon and George.

Events After Death

• In 2016, Con Polite's grave was excavated as part of an investigation into a mysterious package left at the gravesite of a dead cat wrapped inside a towel inside a pet carrier.^[13] A package containing an animal liver, candle, and note with a red ribbon on top was also reportedly found at his son George's home.^[14]
• In 2024, a legal dispute over the Polites estate was publicised.^[15][16][17]

References