All the Vicious Women! The German Song in Queensland German and ‘broken’ German-Queensland songs are a relict of the pioneering heritage of the ‘very German’ regions of southern Queensland – particularly the Lockyer Valley – the heartland of the German pioneers and their customs and traditions. Unlike the hundreds of […]
Latest Stories
In Search of Hermann Lehfeldt
In Search of Hermann Lehfeldt Lonely grave of Hermann Lehfeldt, located in the bush near the Alice River, Barcaldine. Typical of the tragedy and lonely resting places of many our German pioneers is that of young Hermann Lehfeldt. Twin brothers, Hermann and Carl Lehfeldt, both 18 years of age, arrived […]
A Family Tragedy – The Wanka Family
A Family Tragedy Many German pioneering families had very hard and tragic times, but perhaps the most tragic cases of all concerns the Wanka family. Inthe Old Church of England Section 2 portion of the extensive Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery are four unmarked burial plots – the last resting place […]
The Sad Tale of a Lonely Rose Bush – ‘Heidenroslein’
The sad tale of a Lonely Rose Bush – The’ Heidenroslein’ of the Downs ‘Roslein, roslein, roslein rot, Roslein auf der Heide’ Photograph showing the lonely rose bush at Headington Hill – the young Elsie Nichterlein is buried beneath this rose bush. Toowomba Centenarian Gladys Huf planted the rose bush in […]
The Master Player – Alf Radunz
The Master Player – Alf Radunz Alf Radunz (1910-1996) was arguably the greatest button accordian player in Queensland. Fifteen out of his sixteen brothers and sisters could play an instrument- the other could only play the gramophone! Alf grew up in the Coolabunia district, just outside Kingaroy, in southeast Queensland. […]
Stories A Pain In The Bum
A PAIN IN THE BUM The world-renowned golfer Norm Von Nida (‘The Von’) grew up in the German farming community of Serpentine Creek (now known as Pinkenba, Brisbane). He recounted an adventure in quest of juicy watermelons. ‘Times were tough during my boyhood years but there was plenty of food […]
Music From my Heimatland- Queensland is Different!!
Music from my Heimatland: Queensland is Different!! By Mark Schuster (Toowoomba, Qld) Although it was early June 1999, the familiar pale blue glare stung the eyes and the slanting rays of late afternoon sunlight still held their characteristic sting. Shedding my coat at Brisbane airport the soft light and verdant […]
‘Chain Bluey Loose’
‘Chain Bluey Loose’ My very good friend Rudy Manz of Laidley, retired farmer, button accordian enthusiast and terrific yarnteller has the following great tale: ‘I vos out in der paddock vorking and I haff a spell so I sits me downs unter the shades of de barbed vire fence’ and den […]
Button Accordion Styles
Button Accordian Styles of the Vienna system button accordian (C, G, C-F, G-C, A-D, G-C-F etc) After many years closely observing many traditional diatonic button accordion players throughout eastern Australia and parts of South Australia, with a particular emphasis on southern Queensland it was possible to reach some conclusions based […]
‘The Tiger Schnake’
‘THE TIGER SCHNAKE’ I vos working vit Bill Grady und Shack Wilson on de flat Ve shoushed abbot an acre oot vit Shemmy Bill und Pat Ve didn’t makes no vortunes, but vhat I vant to tell Vos about von pig tiger schnake, dat shashed me quick as vell. […]
