Ole abildgaard (1936-) - danish club president
Ole Abildgaard has had a long and interesting career in Australia ranging from being an interpreter during the Olympic Games, to establishing and running his own businesses.
Ole has been heavily involved in Danish groups and associations, including the Danish Club in Melbourne. During his presidency in the late 70s, women were allowed to become members for the first time.
Ole's commitment to the Danish communities in Australia was acknowledged in 1989 when he was made Knight of the Danish Order of Dannebrog. Ole is also involved in the Danes in Australia project.
Ole has been heavily involved in Danish groups and associations, including the Danish Club in Melbourne. During his presidency in the late 70s, women were allowed to become members for the first time.
Ole's commitment to the Danish communities in Australia was acknowledged in 1989 when he was made Knight of the Danish Order of Dannebrog. Ole is also involved in the Danes in Australia project.
Coming to Australia
Ole Abildgaard was born on 14th February 1936 in Randers, Denmark to Svend and Lise Abildgaard.
After high school and commercial education he emigrated to Australia in 1956, settling in Melbourne. Shortly after his arrival he participated in the 1956 Olympic Games as an interpreter of Scandinavian languages at the Games.
Before leaving Denmark Ole became engaged to his long-time girl friend Gitte Lindskov who joined him in 1958 when they were married at the Swedish Church in Toorak. Gitte's and Ole's wedding was one of the first to be held at the new location of the Church, a fine Victorian mansion in Toorak which during the Colonial period accomodated 5 Victorian Governors!
Gitte's and Ole's 2 children Peter and Susanne arrived early in their marriage. After a short period in Geelong the family settled down in Melbourne.
After high school and commercial education he emigrated to Australia in 1956, settling in Melbourne. Shortly after his arrival he participated in the 1956 Olympic Games as an interpreter of Scandinavian languages at the Games.
Before leaving Denmark Ole became engaged to his long-time girl friend Gitte Lindskov who joined him in 1958 when they were married at the Swedish Church in Toorak. Gitte's and Ole's wedding was one of the first to be held at the new location of the Church, a fine Victorian mansion in Toorak which during the Colonial period accomodated 5 Victorian Governors!
Gitte's and Ole's 2 children Peter and Susanne arrived early in their marriage. After a short period in Geelong the family settled down in Melbourne.
danish community in melbourne
Danish Consul General Erik Jensen presenting the Order of Dannebrog to Ole Abildgaard in 1989
Ole joined the Danish Club in Melbourne in 1964 and soon joined the Committee - he became President of the Club for approximately 3 years in in 1977--80.
A major achievement during the time as President was the admission of women members of the Club which had been exclusive for men since it establishment nearly 100 years ago.
In 1982 Ole was one of the founders of the Danish Australian Cultural Society (DACS) and he became its President for most of the following 20 years. This was only interrupted for a period in 1988 when Ole travelled to Central Africa where he helped his Veterinarian daughter Susanne and son-in-law Dean Anderson with the conservation of Primates in Central Africa and specifically the management of the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee orphanage in Bujumbura, Burundi.
One of the highlights of Ole's life was when he received the Knighthood of Dannebrog, bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. The order was presented by Consul General Erik Jensen at a function at the Danish Club in Melbourne on June 16, 1989.
A major achievement during the time as President was the admission of women members of the Club which had been exclusive for men since it establishment nearly 100 years ago.
In 1982 Ole was one of the founders of the Danish Australian Cultural Society (DACS) and he became its President for most of the following 20 years. This was only interrupted for a period in 1988 when Ole travelled to Central Africa where he helped his Veterinarian daughter Susanne and son-in-law Dean Anderson with the conservation of Primates in Central Africa and specifically the management of the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee orphanage in Bujumbura, Burundi.
One of the highlights of Ole's life was when he received the Knighthood of Dannebrog, bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. The order was presented by Consul General Erik Jensen at a function at the Danish Club in Melbourne on June 16, 1989.
Business interests
Frame Up logo
After a career in selling, Ole established an automotive and air-conditioning firm - FREEWAY - with a partner. This developed into a successful retail and whole business which also involved the importation of car stereo equipment from Japan, Korea a.o.
Prior to his visit to Africa in 1988 Ole sold his FREEWAY RADIO business. When he returned to Melbourne he became Melbourne consultant to Royal Copenhagen/Georg Jensen. A few years later he and Gitte moved to Merricks Beach on the Mornington Peninsula and Ole acquired a framing business, FRAME UP in Mornington.
FRAME UP developed into the leading framing business on the Peninsula and Peter took over as sole proprietor in 2012.
Prior to his visit to Africa in 1988 Ole sold his FREEWAY RADIO business. When he returned to Melbourne he became Melbourne consultant to Royal Copenhagen/Georg Jensen. A few years later he and Gitte moved to Merricks Beach on the Mornington Peninsula and Ole acquired a framing business, FRAME UP in Mornington.
FRAME UP developed into the leading framing business on the Peninsula and Peter took over as sole proprietor in 2012.
Danes in Australia
Ole has now retired but continues his involvement with the Danish community in Victoria, namely as a member of the Danish club as well as being a member of the committee responsible for the Danes in Australia project and website.