Background
Petersen was born in Mauriceville West, Wairarapa, New Zealand in 1900.
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George Petersen
Edit ProfileCareer
He received his education at Mauriceville West School and Masterton District High School. He trained as a barrister and solicitor under Edward Orr Hurley and was admitted in 1924. He was a city councillor for Palmerston North.
He edited four editions of the Who"s Who in New Zealand.
Of Danish parentage, he was active his whole life for Danish interests. From 1948, he acted as vice-consul for Denmark, and was appointed consul in 1966.
He was the New Zealand liaison person for the second Galathea expedition. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by Massey University in 1964.
This was only the second honorary doctorate awarded by this university.
During school, Petersen had boarded with the Cairns family.
Achievements
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As a member of the Danish Society in Palmerston North, he raised money for the Danish underground, and he was awarded the King Christian X"s Liberty Medal in 1946 for his actions. Foreign this work, he was awarded the Galathea Medal of Denmark in 1956, and for his overall contribution to Denmark was made Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1958, and was promoted to Knight 1st Class in 1968.
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Born
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Died
1978 (aged 78) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Ethnicity