jens hansen lundager (1853-1930) - photographer, Newspaper editor, politician
Jens Hansen Lundager was born in Vejlby, Denmark and moved to Australia in his 20s. He had previously worked as a photographer in Denmark and gained a reputation in Australia within his profession. He was considered a master of his era in the field of photography.
Jens was an important member of his local community in Mount Morgan in Queensland. Other than several business interests he also became involved in politics, as a member of the Labour party, and served two terms as mayor of Mount Morgan.
Jens was an important member of his local community in Mount Morgan in Queensland. Other than several business interests he also became involved in politics, as a member of the Labour party, and served two terms as mayor of Mount Morgan.
Life in Denmark
A young Jens Larsen Hansen
Jens Hansen Lundager was born Jens Larsen Hansen on May 4, 1853 in Vejlby together with a twin sister. His parents were Hans Jensen and Else Andersdatter Hansen - the family of his mother came from a village called Lundager, which is the name Jens later took after he arrived in Australia.
The family was poor and they moved to the city of Bogense where Jens grew up. When Jens was just 11, his mum died and he had to work as a servant in different houses. He eventually went to Odense where he trained as a pottery maker for 3 years. He then travelled around Denmark before becoming ill with tuberculosis and was unable to work for two years. Because of his illness he had to find a new trade and learnt photography. He later had a photographic business in Fredericia under his own name.
However, he never got over his illness and doctors advised him to seek warmer climates. Jens decided to emigrate to Australia and arrived in Rockhampton on board the Charles Dickens on February 26, 1879 aged 25.
The family was poor and they moved to the city of Bogense where Jens grew up. When Jens was just 11, his mum died and he had to work as a servant in different houses. He eventually went to Odense where he trained as a pottery maker for 3 years. He then travelled around Denmark before becoming ill with tuberculosis and was unable to work for two years. Because of his illness he had to find a new trade and learnt photography. He later had a photographic business in Fredericia under his own name.
However, he never got over his illness and doctors advised him to seek warmer climates. Jens decided to emigrate to Australia and arrived in Rockhampton on board the Charles Dickens on February 26, 1879 aged 25.
Settling in australia
Miners working in the mine at Mt. Morgan ca. 1890
Photographer: Jens Hansen Lundager. State Library of Queensland
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Jens initially did some photography work before trying his luck at gold mining at Temora in New South Wales. He returned to Rockhampton and took over the studio of French photographer Louis Buderus.
The Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company soon commissioned Jens to take photographs of the mines of Mount Morgan, portraits of the mine owners, managers and company guests as well as photographing the mine workers. The quality of his work, both in pictures and postcards, was highly regarded. and he was considered a master of his era. In 1885, Jens was commissioned for another major piece of work, this time to create a photographic album for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition by order of the Queensland Government. |
FAmily and Political life
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In 1882 Jens married fellow Dane, Mathilde Helene (1860-1934, nee Biltoft).
They had 7 children together, two of whom died of diphteria in 1890 - Else Johanna (1883-1953), Marie Chrestine (1884-1890), Henry Walter (1886-1890), Hulda Hellene (1888-?), Mary Christina (1893-1995), Alma May (1898-1953) and Dagmar Mathilde (1900-1901). The same year as his oldest daughter was born, Jens was naturalised. The family was settled in Rockhampton with Jens travelling frequently to and from Mount Morgan. In 1892, Jens' studio burnt out and he made the decision to move his family to Mount Morgan where they settled for the next almost 30 years. Jens became an important member of the community being involved in many aspects of its business and political life. Jens continued as a photographer after the move to Mount Morgan and also bought a bookstore to supplement his earnings. He later started publishing a newspaper and bought two others. He owned and edited the Argus, a Labour newspaper for many years. He was also a Treasurer of the School of Arts and a Trustee of the Technical College. He was connected with the Labour party since its inception in Mount Morgan and served two terms as its Mayor. |
Mathilde Helen on her wedding day Rockhampton April 1882
State Library of Queensland
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Girls of the Lundager family ca. 1903. State Library of Queensland
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Mathilde and Hulda Lundager ca. 1892. State Library of Queensland
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Later years
Jens Hansen Lundager, Mount Morgan ca. 1905. State Library of Queensland
Jens also became a Freemason in 1884 - and was a founding member of Mount Morgan Masonic Lodge. the Lodge began in Mount Morgan in 1889 with meetings being held in Jens' studio.
At the turn of the century, Jens was instrumental in the purchase of land and the construction of Mount Morgan's Masonic hall, a masonic temple, a hall built at the cost of 1000 pounds - quite a considerable sum in those days.
In 1913, the TB which Jens had struggled with in his younger years returned. In 1919, Jens slowly started relinquishing his many business interests and political responsibilities in Mount Morgan and eventually moved to Sydney with his wife.
On March 7, 1930, Jens passed away aged 76.
At the turn of the century, Jens was instrumental in the purchase of land and the construction of Mount Morgan's Masonic hall, a masonic temple, a hall built at the cost of 1000 pounds - quite a considerable sum in those days.
In 1913, the TB which Jens had struggled with in his younger years returned. In 1919, Jens slowly started relinquishing his many business interests and political responsibilities in Mount Morgan and eventually moved to Sydney with his wife.
On March 7, 1930, Jens passed away aged 76.