Victor Smorgon dead at the age of 96

Victor Smorgon, one of Australia's most successful entrepreneurs and the former head of one of the country's most diverse industrial groups, has died in Melbourne.

Mr Smorgon, 96, was the head of the Victor Smorgon Group, a spinoff from the original Smorgon Consolidated Industries which began as a kosher butcher shop in Carlton and expanded into areas ranging from meat exporting to plastics, glass, steel and recycling.

Born into poverty in Heidelberg, Ukraine, in 1913, Mr Smorgon emigrated to Australia in 1927.

Mr Smorgon is survived by his wife Loti Kiffer, three daughters and 15 grand children.