Erik Jensen (1929-) - Consul General, victoria
Erik Jensen has been a successful businessman and a prominent figure amongst the Scandinavian communities through his role as the Danish Consul General in Victoria for over 30 years. He is a life-long supporter of Scandinavian culture, history and languages having contributed to many books and research on the subject. For many years he also represented the Danish Tourist Board and the Danish Cultural Institute in Australia.
Erik has been awarded with a Knight Order of the Dannebrog of the first degree as well as an honorary doctorate of letters by the University of Melbourne.
Most recently, Erik has been instrumental in getting the Danes in Australia project off the ground. Without his continued dedication over the past years, the creation of this website telling the stories of the many Danes and Danish companies in Australia would not have been possible.
Erik has been awarded with a Knight Order of the Dannebrog of the first degree as well as an honorary doctorate of letters by the University of Melbourne.
Most recently, Erik has been instrumental in getting the Danes in Australia project off the ground. Without his continued dedication over the past years, the creation of this website telling the stories of the many Danes and Danish companies in Australia would not have been possible.
Early career
Erik Jens Jensen was born in Copenhagen on May 22, 1929, the son of Jens Jensen and Meta (nee Petersen). Through friends at Øregaard Gymnasium (where he finished his High School education) he became aware of the world wide activities of ØK, Østasiatisk Kompagni (also known as EAC, The East Asiatic Company), which he joined as a cadet in 1946. At the time, it was Denmark's largest company.
After 3 years of training at EAC followed by one year's conscription service in the Danish Army, Erik was transferred to Singapore for his first term overseas in 1950.
In Singapore he met an English girl, Gillian Shakespear, who worked for the British Foreign Service - they married in London during Erik's home leave in 1955.
After 3 years of training at EAC followed by one year's conscription service in the Danish Army, Erik was transferred to Singapore for his first term overseas in 1950.
In Singapore he met an English girl, Gillian Shakespear, who worked for the British Foreign Service - they married in London during Erik's home leave in 1955.
Moving to australia
A major part of Erik's work in Singapore was to manage the marketing of a range of paint products manufactured by Blundell, Spence & Co. in the UK. This became significant for Erik's future as EAC was appointed managing agents for Blundell's Australian subsidiary. For the following five years, Erik was the General Manager for Blundell's factory in Sydney. During this time, Erik and Gillian also had two sons, Christopher and Michael.
In 1960, the family was relocated to Durban, South Africa where Erik was appointed General Manager of EAC's two major manufacturing activities. A daughter, Kirsten, was born in Durban in 1964.
At the end of 1967 Erik was appointed CEO of all EAC's activities in Australia, and the family returned to Melbourne. After 11 years in Melbourne EAC wanted Erik to return to the EAC Head Office in Copenhagen - however, the Jensen family were by then deeply anchored in Melbourne, and Erik chose to leave EAC. Instead, he joined Petersville - then Australia's largest manufacturing organisation in the food industry.
In 1960, the family was relocated to Durban, South Africa where Erik was appointed General Manager of EAC's two major manufacturing activities. A daughter, Kirsten, was born in Durban in 1964.
At the end of 1967 Erik was appointed CEO of all EAC's activities in Australia, and the family returned to Melbourne. After 11 years in Melbourne EAC wanted Erik to return to the EAC Head Office in Copenhagen - however, the Jensen family were by then deeply anchored in Melbourne, and Erik chose to leave EAC. Instead, he joined Petersville - then Australia's largest manufacturing organisation in the food industry.
the danish community in MELBOURNE
In 1971, Erik was appointed Consul for Denmark in the State of Victoria. He was later promoted to the position of Consul General in 1984, which he retired from in March 2002.
During the 1980's Erik added representation for the Danish Tourist Board and the Danish Cultural Institute to his consular duties and in 1984 he left Petersville to devote all his time and interest to his work for Denmark.
In association with Ole Abildgaard, Erik attempted to introduce Danish cultural activities into the Danish Club. This proved to be difficult and Ole and Erik - with support from other Danish and Australian friends - established DACS (Danish Australian Cultural Society) in 1982. A society which became very active in cultural activities associated with Denmark and Australia in the fields of literature, music and arts with great support from the ever growing number of DACS members.
During the 1980's Erik added representation for the Danish Tourist Board and the Danish Cultural Institute to his consular duties and in 1984 he left Petersville to devote all his time and interest to his work for Denmark.
In association with Ole Abildgaard, Erik attempted to introduce Danish cultural activities into the Danish Club. This proved to be difficult and Ole and Erik - with support from other Danish and Australian friends - established DACS (Danish Australian Cultural Society) in 1982. A society which became very active in cultural activities associated with Denmark and Australia in the fields of literature, music and arts with great support from the ever growing number of DACS members.
An active retirement
Both Erik and Ole were made Knights of the Danish Order of Dannebrog and following his retirement in 2002, Erik was made an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Melbourne for his contribution to the University in the fields of music and history and the establishment of a scholarship exchange programme between the Universities of Melbourne and Aarhus in Denmark (in honour of Dr Greta Hort).
Erik's life-long dedication to the Danish communities in Australia has most recently led to the "Danes in Australia" project getting funding from the Dannebrog Foundation thereby setting up this dedicated website telling the many stories of Danish emigrants to Australia.
Erik and Gillian enjoy an active life in retirement nursing their diverse interests in Church, the Arts - literature and music and Tennis for Erik as well as their growing family now including 3 married "children", 10 grandchildren and so far 6 great grandchildren!
Erik's life-long dedication to the Danish communities in Australia has most recently led to the "Danes in Australia" project getting funding from the Dannebrog Foundation thereby setting up this dedicated website telling the many stories of Danish emigrants to Australia.
Erik and Gillian enjoy an active life in retirement nursing their diverse interests in Church, the Arts - literature and music and Tennis for Erik as well as their growing family now including 3 married "children", 10 grandchildren and so far 6 great grandchildren!