Anders Krogh jensen (1902-2000) -
danish club president
Andy Jensen has been hailed as one of the most significant Danish-born citizens in Melbourne during the 20th century.
He was instrumental in securing the statuesque building on Beaconsfield Parade, which for many years housed the Danish Club in Melbourne.
He was instrumental in securing the statuesque building on Beaconsfield Parade, which for many years housed the Danish Club in Melbourne.
Early years in australia
Anders (Andy) Krogh Jensen was born on 6 November 1902 near Randers in Jutland, Denmark. After finishing school, he trained as a radio telegraphist and got his first job as a wireless operator on board the ship Bolivia. Over the next 1,5 years he travelled extensively between Australia and the US and Canada. In 1926, he settled in Melbourne and struggled initially to find work because of his broken English.
At the Danish Club in Melbourne he met Dorothy May Otto, who was partly of Danish descent due to her maternal uncle, Henry Olsen, who had been the first president of the Club some 35 years prior. In 1928 they married and had two girls.
At the Danish Club in Melbourne he met Dorothy May Otto, who was partly of Danish descent due to her maternal uncle, Henry Olsen, who had been the first president of the Club some 35 years prior. In 1928 they married and had two girls.
the danish club
Andy had been a member of the Danish Club since 1927 and was elected president in 1935. He was the driving force behind the purchase of the magnificent Victorian building in Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, in 1938 for the grand total of 4500 pounds. At the time, this amount equalled some 4 ½ times a professor’s annual salary. The building had previously been the residence of the Buxton family.
Andy’s initiative and influence was largely attributed to the successful acquisition of the mansion and made possible by a guarantee from then Consul General PJ Holdenson. The building was sold in 2009 for $12 million dollars (the equivalent of, at the time, 30 times a professor’s annual salary). This made it possible to set up the Dannebrog Foundation, which now assists a great variety of projects aimed at strengthening the relationship between Denmark and Australia (this includes the “Danes in Australia” project).
Andy’s initiative and influence was largely attributed to the successful acquisition of the mansion and made possible by a guarantee from then Consul General PJ Holdenson. The building was sold in 2009 for $12 million dollars (the equivalent of, at the time, 30 times a professor’s annual salary). This made it possible to set up the Dannebrog Foundation, which now assists a great variety of projects aimed at strengthening the relationship between Denmark and Australia (this includes the “Danes in Australia” project).
knight of the order of dannebrog
During the Second World War, Andy joined the Royal Australian Air Force and was later promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer where he spent time both in Victoria and the Northern Territory. After the war, he had his own radio business for some years before being employed by HMV until retiring in 1967.
In 1962, Andy was once again elected President of the Danish Club and held that position for 11 years. Andy’s efforts were recognised in 1970 when the Danish King Frederik IX appointed him a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog for his services to the Danish community in general and particularly to the Danish Club. The then Danish Ambassador, Blytken-Petersen, came especially to Melbourne to present Andy with the order.
For 70 years, Andy was involved with the Danish Club and his influence has been greater than that of any other member.
He died in Melbourne on 8 September 2000, at the age of 97, after a long and colourful life.
In 1962, Andy was once again elected President of the Danish Club and held that position for 11 years. Andy’s efforts were recognised in 1970 when the Danish King Frederik IX appointed him a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog for his services to the Danish community in general and particularly to the Danish Club. The then Danish Ambassador, Blytken-Petersen, came especially to Melbourne to present Andy with the order.
For 70 years, Andy was involved with the Danish Club and his influence has been greater than that of any other member.
He died in Melbourne on 8 September 2000, at the age of 97, after a long and colourful life.