The Official Australian ABBA Fan Club Incorporated began life in 1976 as the ABBA Appreciation Club, later becoming ABBA - The Fan Club. The club was authorised by both RCA Australia and Polar Music, Sweden.The club was started by Graeme Read on March 16, 1976 and run initially from his home in Adelaide, South Australia. When the club's activities started to take over the family home, Graeme's parents built a small garage for the club at the back of the house (affectionately known as the Abba Shed). In the early eighties, the club hired a disused retail premises in the Adelaide suburb of Findon and moved operations to the ABBA Shop. Members received a special pack upon joining which included photos, stickers, discography, biographies, membership card and back-issue newsletters. A newsletter was produced every two months. Starting out as a 1 sided foolscap sheet, the newsletters developed into 20 page A5 booklets featuring an printed cover. The majority of the fan club's newsletters and printed material were produced using a Gestetner electronic stencil scanner and a Gestetner duplicating machine. To survive, the club sold a range of ABBA merchandise, mostly designed by Graeme Read. This merchandise covered everything from key rings to calendars. During it's eight years of existence some 3,000 members joined the club. Two major conventions were organised by the club: Abba - The Convention (1982) and The Final Celebration (1983). Various other events and 'disco' nights were also held in both Adelaide and Sydney. If you have any questions about the fan club, please write to: info@abbamail.com Graeme Read
Former President of the Australian ABBA Fan Club. | 
