Scandinavian Business Club Inc
 

An idea

Several meetings and lunches among Scandinavian businessmen took place during late 1961 and throughout 1962 in Sydney, Australia. A desire arose among participants who were all born in Scandinavia and had commenced their own enterprises during the years after the war. A congenial fellowship had grown from these meetings and it was only natural that a desire arose that a club should be formed as the group grew. This required some simple rules and regulations to be able to function satisfactorily.

The founders

The first people who met were Jan Eric Nordling, Jens Basso Meling, Hans Segerslat, Julian Pedersen, Per Westergard and Morgens Jensen, That meeting was at Julian Pedersen's office in George Street, Sydney. Joining later on were Axel Tribler, Sigurd Sjøquist, Sverre Kaaten and Eilif Vibe. We lunched at the "Hermitage" a Swiss Restaurant near Circular Quay.

In 1963, it was decided to approach Hon Consul-General to Sweden, Ivar Stenström and ask him to be the first President of the Club - which became registered at that time. The first Club luncheon was held at Menzies Hotel at Wynyard Square, Sydney.

It was decided that all businessmen who were born in Scandinavia i.e. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland would be eligible for membership. Australian businessmen who were doing business with Scandinavia and Australia (export and import) would also be welcome members. 

Getting organised

Meetings were scheduled for the first Wednesday in the month at a suitable place in the city of Sydney. An Honorary Treasurer was appointed from among the members and a yearly membership fee was introduced. An Annual General Meeting was to be held and the President's tenure was to be fixed at one year. The nations represented should hold the Presidency in alphabetical order commencing with Denmark (following the inaugural appointment of Ivar Stenström) and Sigurd Sjøquist for Denmark, thus became the second President.

Special members

Later, Life Memberships were established; the first three Life Members being Mogens Jensen, Sverre Kaaten and Sigurd Sjøquist. The incumbent Scandinavian Ambassadors became eligible as Honorary Members.  When businesswomen became eligible as members and office bearers, Nina Meling became first lady President during 1993.

Making our contribution

To make an impact in the Australian business life and society and as a first attempt was decided to send an engineer, selected by the National Roads & Motorists' Association (NRMA) to Scandinavia to study traffic and road conditions, internal regulations, safety measures etc and report to the NSW Department of Roads. This was done and greatly appreciated by the Government at the time. 

Who we listen to

Guest speakers from overseas, members of parliament, heads of state, ambassadors from Scandinavia, lecturers form the universities and well-known authors have been welcomed as guest speakers over the years.

This history was prepared by:
The late Sigurd Sjøquist
Founding Life Member
1915-2006

Please click here to see the names of our Past Presidents

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