Emil Christensen (1895-1984)
When Emil Christensen was asked: "Where do you come from" he always answered: "I was made in Denmark and born in Australia!
This illustrated just how proud he was of his Danish heritage.
He was a born leader and dynamic personality whose pioneering leadership of Petersville was widely respected and admired throughout Australia, and he was a true friend and supporter of Denmark during his long life.
This illustrated just how proud he was of his Danish heritage.
He was a born leader and dynamic personality whose pioneering leadership of Petersville was widely respected and admired throughout Australia, and he was a true friend and supporter of Denmark during his long life.
early years
Emil Christensen was born in Queensland in 1895 shortly after his parents' arrival from Denmark. His father Jacob was an industrial chemist who soon became well established in Queensland, working as a lecturer in Rockhampton and was appointed Consul for Denmark in 1902.
Emil graduated from Bundaberg Technical College with a degree in organic chemistry. After serving in the Australian Navy between 1912 and 1919 he started working in the Queensland Sugar Industry.
Emil graduated from Bundaberg Technical College with a degree in organic chemistry. After serving in the Australian Navy between 1912 and 1919 he started working in the Queensland Sugar Industry.
building a career in dairy
In 1929 he was employed as manager of an ice-cream factory established by the American F.A.B. Peters who developed the manufacture of ice-cream throughout Australia through individual franchises in each State. Later Emil took up the franchise in Victoria where the brand Peters Ice Cream soon became market leader and gradually he acquired the franchises in the other States. This established a strong foundation for Emil to commence production of a multitude of other food products all of which were combined into one publicly listed company Petersville Ltd., which gradually became the largest company in the Australian food industry.
In 1931, less than 100 people were employed in the Victorian company but by the early 70s, more than 5000 employees were working at the company and it became one of Australia’s largest food companies if not the largest locally owned food manufacturer and processor. The company produced products under the brands Bird’s Eye, Hi-Peak and Four n’ Twenty, as well as producing butter and refrigeration machinery.
Between 1961 and 1970, the company acquired 16 companies lifting capital of $4.9 million, including Holdenson and Nielson in Victoria, which at the time was the leading producer of dairy products. The company had been started and was owned by Poul John Holdenson who became known as " the King of the Victorian Dairy Industry" - Holdenson was also the Danish Consul General in Victoria between 1918 and 1946 and was succeeded by Emil who held the position for some 25 years until 1972.
In 1931, less than 100 people were employed in the Victorian company but by the early 70s, more than 5000 employees were working at the company and it became one of Australia’s largest food companies if not the largest locally owned food manufacturer and processor. The company produced products under the brands Bird’s Eye, Hi-Peak and Four n’ Twenty, as well as producing butter and refrigeration machinery.
Between 1961 and 1970, the company acquired 16 companies lifting capital of $4.9 million, including Holdenson and Nielson in Victoria, which at the time was the leading producer of dairy products. The company had been started and was owned by Poul John Holdenson who became known as " the King of the Victorian Dairy Industry" - Holdenson was also the Danish Consul General in Victoria between 1918 and 1946 and was succeeded by Emil who held the position for some 25 years until 1972.
a proud dane
Emil held on tight to his Danish roots and outside his office in Petersville, the Danish flag would fly high. For his services to Denmark in Victoria and Australia as a whole, Emil was first made a Knight of the order of Dannebrog by King Christian X and later awarded with the order of Commander of that order by King Frederik IX, a high order indeed. He was the first Australian-born to be given this honour.
Sailing enthusiast
Dame Pattie
Emil was also an enthusiastic sailor, and was chairman of the syndicate responsible for the Australian yacht Dame Pattie in the 1967 America’s Cup. He was close friends with Sir Robert Menzies, and both were members of exclusive Melbourne clubs such as the West Brighton Club.
Both were also present when the Dame Pattie yacht was christened at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on 8 September 8 1966.
Both were also present when the Dame Pattie yacht was christened at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on 8 September 8 1966.
later years
Emil remained Chairman of Petersville Ltd. until 1970 when he retired due to ill health. That same year, a research laboratory was opened by Sir Robert Menzies and was named “The Emil Christensen Research Laboratory" at Petersville. The company never recovered from the loss of its chairman and was later sold to a number of competitive companies operating in the different sectors of the Australian food industry.
Emil was a dynamic personality whose leadership was widely respected throughout Australia and he remained a true supporter of Denmark throughout his long life.
Emil died in 1984 following the death of his life-long wife, leaving one daughter June whose husband at the time was CEO of Petersville Ltd.
Emil was a dynamic personality whose leadership was widely respected throughout Australia and he remained a true supporter of Denmark throughout his long life.
Emil died in 1984 following the death of his life-long wife, leaving one daughter June whose husband at the time was CEO of Petersville Ltd.