Children love birthdays and Christmas and holidays. It is exciting to visit Grandad and Grandma at Christmas time. Perhaps my cousins will be there.
Finding a good tree to decorate as a Christmas tree is always special for us kids. Sometimes we go into the bush, sometimes there is one that is just the right size on Uncle's farm. Sometimes we arrive to celebrate Christmas and find the most beautiful tree has already been decorated and is waiting for the presents to be put underneath.

Our ancestors in Mecklenburg didn't have their own Christmas tree.

Instead, they were invited after church on Christmas Eve, to visit the Manor House to see the Baron's Christmas tree. They would walk back to the Manor House, running and talking excitedly. One of the younger ones, who was big enough to walk in the shallow snow, usually would fall over and then there were tears. It wasn't far from the church to the Blucher Manor House - just around the corner. Among the children were the Stebens children and their cousins. (There is a picture of the Manor House on the Global Stehbens Family Website.)
Once they got there, they would all go inside where it was warm, for the fire was blazing in the fireplace. The Pastor would come, too.
Each year they would be given a gift: some biscuits and best of all, a piece of fruit, often an orange that had come from a warmer land a long way away, and an apple that had been kept in the cellar since the apple-picking. The children never wondered where the orange may have come from - just that it was special and wonderful to be given such a special gift. Then before they went back to their own small home, they would all sing another Christmas carol.

When the families returned to their own small houses, there would be gifts that their parents had prepared for them; a hoop or a new coat or a dress, perhaps some nuts, a game made from some cut and shaped pieces of wood, or a wooden doll nicely dressed.

And always there was a surprise, for the door would suddenly open and a gift would be thrown into the room. Who gave it no one knew, but it was always fun when it happened.

I sometimes wonder what our ancestors did to celebrate Jesus' birth, the first Christmas that they were in Queensland, December 1865. It was hot. There was no snow and there was no Lutheran church and there was no Pastor. And they didn't go to a Manor House anymore, for there was no Baron who ruled their lives anymore. But they did celebrate with their friends and they did sing some carols and they did give gifts. And they did give thanks to God for their freedom and peace and their new life in their new land.

We Aussie kids like the world that we live in with our warm weather and hot Christmas.

We can learn about our ancestors and about each other. And we can build a safe and peaceful future for all children. This site is to help you to do that. Is your picture on the site yet?

If you send a photo or a painting (by post or as an e-mail attachment) please write a little about the photo: who is in it, when and where it was taken and even why it was taken. Also write a little about yourself and don't forget to tell who your parents are. Then keep looking till you see it on the computer!

• Brumpton & Strand Cousins in Dalby, Australia 1999 (31 KB)
  We were great friends, even before we discovered that we were 4th cousins once removed! Penny Strand, Jake Brumpton, Ben Brumpton, April Strand (nursing her baby brother Thomas Strand) enjoyed playing together often when we all lived in Dalby. But now Jake and Ben live in Brisbane and the Strand children still live in Dalby. We are all descended from Detlef & Anna Stehbens who came to Australia in 1865 with their children who included Claus Stehbens (Jake's and Ben's Great-Great-Great-Grandfather) and Emma Stehbens (April's, Penny's and Thomas' Great-Great-Grandma.
• Two Ships: The "Titanic" and the "Sophie" (9 KB)
  The "Sophie" brought the Stehbens family to Australia in 1865. Let us compare the "Sophie" with the "Titanic". "Titanic" was 269m long x 28m x 32m high from keel to bridge; the "Sophie" was 33m long x 8.2m x 4.6m from keel to bridge. She was a 278 tonne vessel; "Titanic" was 46,328 ton ship. "Titanic" carried more than 2200 passengers in luxury accommodation; the 181 passengers on the "Sophie" lived between decks on wooden shelves and had to hang clothes for privacy. They did not pay for their voyage as they were too poor and the Queensland Government paid the company to bring them. The passengers on "Titanic" paid for expensive tickets. "Titanic" was built of steel and had 3 engines and 3 propellors. The "Sophie" was built of wood and had no engines, just three masts and was a sailing vessel. "Titanic" did not cross a single ocean before it sank. "Sophie" sailed around the world several times, crossing the Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Pacific Oceans and not once had an accident. It was sailing for 14 years from 1850 to 1873 and then was sold and renamed by her new owners. Captain Edward Smith went down with his ship, but Captain Wendt who sailed to Queensland was the 3rd Captain of "Sophie" and he was Captain for nearly 6 years. "Titanic" was built in Belfast by Harland & Wolff and launched in 1911 and sank in 1912. "Sophie" was built in Hamburg by Godeffroy & Sohn for their own use as a migrant vessel. {A photo of "Sophie" can bee seen on the Global Stehbens Family website which you can link to from this site. Jake Brumpton has borrowed a book from his school library. Jake says it is a good book: "Inside the Titanic" was written by Ken Marshall and published by Allen & Unwin.
• Imbil boys love our football - 1928 (13 KB)
  Rugby League has been the tradition in Imbil - from the beginning. Imbil State School boys line up for a game against Gympie. We took our hats off first. L-R: Alf Stubbins (FB), Rob Stehbens (W), Ted Rush, Trich Girdler, Peter Jocumsen, Les Mitchell, Bert Malcomsen, Bill Tregonning, Stirlo, Bill Shaw, Jack Becker, Ron Dundas & Frank Jocumsen (C).
• Christmas Tree in Mecklenburg excited the children (338 KB)
  In Germany where our ancestors lived, it snowed at Christmas time. The trees in the forest were covered in snow. There was no electricity but candles lit up the special tree and shone in the eyes of the children. Apples were often hung as decoration on the tree and they became a special Christmas treat. Because it was cold the mice would come inside and scamper about the house. The mice loved any crumbs from Christmas treats such as biscuits and nuts. Everyone would gather around and sing carols. Saint Nicolas (we call him Santa Claus) was important to the children, and they would put out some hay for his horses. He came on December 6th. One famous carol written in the 1800s tells of a good King who was kind to the poor people (King Wenceslas). In 1818 "Silent Night" was written. Because the night is still and silent when snow is falling, it made the people aware of the holiness of Christmas, when they celebrated Jesus' birth. This carol was first sung by a choir accompanied by a guitar. Beside the mice, what other animals can you see? Are the elves shown as poor people or rich people?
• Spiderman Cameron Robertson - 9 June 1998 (15 KB)
  I go to Peter Rabbit Childcare Centre when my Mum is working in the city and Dad is teaching. I am a dangerous spiderman. I am a Redback Spider Man. My Mum is Joy (Stehbens) Robertson and my Poppy is Robert Stehbens. He comes to stay at my place if I get sick or have a birthday. My brother is Kirk.
• Our Mum is hidden among the butterflies! (96 KB)
  I love finding caterpillars on the milkweed. Everyday I watch them until I see one making itself a chyrsallis. After that I can take it home on a piece of plant which I put in a shoebox. When the caterpillar has changed, it emerges from the chrysallis. Its wings gradually unfold and dry. When it is ready to fly I take the box outside and cheer when the butterfly flies away. It is like watching a miracle. The caterpillars are brightly coloured. The Butterfly is golden and black. It is a Monarch butterfly. I like to draw a picture of the butterfly at each stage. Dad uses his digital camera to take photos for me. There is a good website where you can see the different butterflies in different parts of Australia. There are butterflies of Townsville area, the Brisbane region, Sydney, Canberra, Victoria and South Australia on the site. See the Butterflies of Australia link below. It will help you with your science project.
• I've watched a Platypus swim in Yabba Creek, Imbil (16 KB)
  When I go to my Poppy's & Nanny's place at Imbil, we always go swimming in Yabba Creek. We build dams. We collect mussels. We look for platypi, tortoises, bearded dragons, coots, cormorants, azure kingfishers, waterhen as we walk along the banks. Grandad knows a lot about the Creek. He spent many hours playing in it when he was a boy. But the greatest sight of all is to watch a platypus swimming and feeding. We can see them from above as we stand on the bank. Another very different place to see platypus is in the Sydney Aquarium. You can watch a platypus feed. With its bill, it can detect electrical pulses from its prey.
• Catherine Daphne Stehbens at the studio in 1928 (8 KB)
  Though I was named after my mother, who was Catherine Jane (Findlay) Stehbens, my parents called me, "Daph". We lived in Imbil, Queensland. My Dad worked in the forestry hauling timber for the sawmills. I married Dudley Williamson in 1945 in Red Hill Methodist Church, Gympie. I have one son, Ken and 4 grandchildren, Phillipa, Duncan, Alistair, and Ian. And now I have 3 special great-grandchildren, Lachlan McTaggart, Lia McTaggart and Jack Williamson.
• Jarrod Thompson: panel beater in a V8 Racing Team (51 KB)
  Jarrod Thompson comes from Edithburgh, South Australia. He is the head panel-beater for a V8 Supercar racing team. His team races in the Konica Cup and the Commodore V8 Cup as well. Jarrod has loved cars from the time he was a small boy. He has fulfilled a boyhood dream. Jarrod's Grandfather, Les Stehbens, was a blacksmith, and his Great Grandfather, Claus David Stehbens, was an outstanding blacksmith too. In the days before there were cars, blacksmiths were like panel-beaters today: they made and repaired the metal parts of vehicles. So I guess we learn from our ancestors. You can check out V8 Supercar Racing at http://www.v8supercar.com.au/ or go to Mallala Raceway or Bathurst Mount Panorama Circuit to see Jarrod's team compete. Ask your Dad to take you.
• First 6 Grandchildren of Bob & Kate Stehbens: 1949 (15 KB)
  We all loved going to Grannie and Grandfather's place, in Imbil, Queensland. Their home was a place of love and forgiveness, an environment in which faith and memory were developed, a playground of creativity and learning, a place where we were appreciated and where we learnt to appreciate the trees, birds, gardens and animals. Grannie (Catherine Jane Findlay) had a camera and she developed her own pictures. In this one, we are assembled at the dairy gate, down the hill from Grandfather and Grannie's home. There is Moya Benstead (Cathie's friend) and Catherine Mary Price in a Scottish tartan (Grannie was born in Scotland) standing at the back, and in front there is Ian Robert Stehbens, Alan Hartley Blake, Kenneth Bruce Williamson and George David Price holding Pamela Rose Stehbens. In the background is the home of Robert and Winnifred Stehbens (the parents of Ian and Pamela).
• McCracken & Strand Kids attended Family Reunion (53 KB)
  Family Reunions can be special for children and young people as well as for mums and dads and grandparents. Hundreds of people came to our family reunion in Bundaberg during our summer holidays. And many of us were children. Of course our parents came and so did some of our grandparents. We met others that I had never met before. It was good to be part of a very very big family. We had our photos taken and here are some of us: Alyra Strand, April Strand, Casey Strand, Penny Strand; Spencer McCracken, Reid McCracken, Rhys Strand and Thomas Strand. April, Penny and Thomas are sisters and brother and live in Dalby. Casey and Rhys are brothers and they live on the Sunshine Coast. Spencer and Reid McCracken live in Bundaberg. All of us descend from Emma Stehbens. She was only 5 when she came to Australia with her parents 140 years ago.
• Jake tells Ben stories from the family photo album (51 KB)
  Jake and Ben Brumpton at home with their Mum, Robyn, enjoy looking at the family photos. Each boy gets excited especially when they see themselves as new babies. Remembering their friends, their relatives, and their schoolmates is special. They remember visits by the koalas, and kangaroos. They remember each Christmas with family. They remember fireworks over the Opera House in Sydney. They remember their beach holidays and the bush camping holiday with Grandad Stehbens. And the remember the first day at school or kindergarten.
• Jake becomes a Convict for the day in Sydney, NSW (186 KB)
  During his holiday in Sydney, Jake became a "convict" and was tried by "Judge Smellybottom" in his courtroom at Fort Denison on Pinchgut Island in Sydney Harbour. He was given a sentence of "7 years on the rockpile in Sydney", just like one of Jake's ancestors, Robert Forrester. Robert Forrester was sent to Sydney, New South Wales on the "Scarborough" in the First Fleet, which arrived in Sydney Cove on 26th January 1788. While the Stehbens line does not have any convict ancestors, some of us do because we have other lines of ancestors as well. Jake has several convict ancestors, because Robert Forrester married a convict and some of their children married the children of other convicts. You can have a wonderful day when you visit Sydney, by visiting Fort Denison or Goat Island in Sydney Harbour National Park.
• The Observer: Ben Michael Brumpton - 2000 (11 KB)
  I'm Ben. I go to Kindy. I have a dog called Jessie. She's not allowed inside. My Mum is Robyn Margaret (Stehbens) and my Dad is Michael Brumpton. My grandparents live in Sydney and Toowoomba, but I live in Brisbane.
• Baby Tiger burning Bright in early morning Light! (59 KB)
  Three Bright children Axel, Laura-Jade and Emily Bright cuddling the new baby in the family: Kawasaki Tiger. Their Mum and Dad are going to take 'Kawasaki Tiger' to Tasmania for a holiday. So here's a poem for their Mum. ............................................THE TIGER.............................................. Tiger Tiger burning Bright In the early morning Light What purr, what possibility What frame of fearful symmetry! .............................................................................On what distant pikes or skies Burns the fire that lights her eyes, On what wings dare she aspire? Hers the hand dares sieze this fire! ............................................................................. Whose the frame around which I cling? He may twist the sinews of my heart, But when the Kawasaki purrs What adrenalin, what lovers surge! ............................................................................. What the highway, what the curve, In what conditions, with what nerve? Long the kilometres, wide the range, Bet this Tassie Tiger's never tamed! ............................................................................. Tiger Tiger burning Bright, In the campfire's evening Light, What purr, what satisfaction, What frame holds now, her devotion. (with apologies to Wiliam Blake and thanks to Andrew Bright) Blake's poem inspired some wonderful art. Now we wait to see a piece of our Mum's art that is inspired by this poem and this new Tiger in our family. Our Mum is an artist. [If any of the children write a poem, you may publish it on this site. Send it to the webmaster.]
• Mercy Kalo's Christmas holiday in Australia: 2001 (22 KB)
  I am Mercy. I live in Erakor, Vanuatu. I came to Australia for Christmas 2001 with Grandad and Grandma Stehbens. My Dad, Wilson Kalo, is a security man at a new resort site near our home. We live in Erakor Village and I go to Erakor School. My Dad adopted Grandad Stehbens as his special father. When I was in Australia, I loved playing with my cousins, Jake and Ben Brumpton. My Uncle Gary took me to ride on the trains because he is a train driver. We went from Sydney to Newcastle. I loved going through the tunnels. The horn of the train is very loud - blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. When Grandad took me to the zoo I saw a turtle. I like turtles (to eat) but Grandad didn't let me catch it even though it was small. I would like to come to Australia again. Jake can you come and stay with me? My Mum would like that. (Mercy is the daughter of Wilson & Leitangi Kalo. Her Australian Grandparents are Ian & Margaret Stehbens.) Jake did go to visit Mercy in Erakor. They had Christmas together there in 2004.
• Growing to know the love of God (33 KB)
  The Bright children holding their candles after their baptisms in the Catholic Church in Bundaberg. The candles represent the truth and love of Jesus which brings light into the world. Jacob, Emily, Laura-Jade and Jesse Bright live in Bundaberg, Queensland with their Mum and Dad, and their Wright grandparents live nearby. With Dad and Mum watching, Tyrone and sister Phoebe Gibson are signing the church register as they have confirmed their faith and baptism in the Catholic Church in their hometown of Biloela, Queensland. Both the Gibson and Bright children are descended from Claus Johann and Ottilie Stehbens, who lived in Bundaberg more than 100 years ago. And so the faith of our ancestors has continued through 6 generations down these two lines of Stehbens descendants. [Thankyou Janet and Veronica for sending the photos.]
• Looking for our history in a Cemetery (244 KB)
  Exploring a cemetery can be interesting. Mum and Dad, Granddad and Grandma took us to a cemetery to learn about our ancestors. It is sad when you find the grave of small children and babies who died. You might see a gravestone that says that the man was killed accidentally. Then I have to ask Granddad to find out how the accident happened. "There was a boiler explosion in the sawmill that morning." he said. One man loved horses because there was a horse on his grave. Another loved Jesus. At Bororen there is a headstone made out of cement, because there was no stone mason there 100 years ago. Some people had very big headstones. Bundaberg Cemetery has a large section where the South Sea Islanders were buried and no one gave them headstones or even names. That is disappointing. On the farms that our ancestors owned at Bororen, Albionville, and Tabletop there are graves marked by a chilli bushes or a bit of old fence where children were buried. One of them, Edward Stehbens, fell from his horse having hit his head on a branch. He was about 10 and is buried under that big shady tree.
• It takes a big breath to blow out 50 candles! (11 KB)
  I don't think I was very old when this photo was taken. I was blowing out the candles on a cake. It was Nanny and Poppy Stehbens' 50th wedding anniversary cake. That was in 1995. I am Jake Robert Brumpton. (My great Grandparents are Robert and Winnifred Smith STEHBENS. They were married on 3 November 1945 at Kelvin Grove Methodist Church, in Brisbane.)
• Daniel Desbois @ Finch Hatton Show: Starting small (77 KB)
  Daniel Desbois - a small boy on a small horse! Daniel Desbois, aged 14 months, won the under 7 led-in Western Rider Class on Noelene Cooper's (his great-aunt's) 2 Y.O. miniature pony, Blueview Rainman at the Finch Hatton country show in Central Queensland, 2005. With Daniel are his Mum and Dad, Natalie and Tim Desbois. While Daniel loves all horses, at this stage he is showing a distinct preference for the miniatures. "Blueview Rainman" is a favourite due to his placid and friendly nature and his affectionate attitude to little children. This branch of the Stehbens Family are renowned for their involvement with horses. [LINEAGE: Daniel Desbois s/o Natalie Stehbens d/o Robert Stehbens. Robert Stehbens & Noelene Cooper nee Stehbens c/o Noel Stehbens s/o Edward s/o Claus Detlef s/o Claus Johann s/o Detlef Staeben s/o Frantz H Stebens]
• Carly Martin with Thomas Strand after his baptism (14 KB)
  Thomas William Strand was baptised at Dalby Lutheran Church in December 1998. Thomas was born on 8 December 1998, and he is my cousin. His parents are Brian & Lois Strand. Brian is my mother's brother. I am Carly Anne Martin and I live with my parents, Barbara and Tom Martin, in the Mitta Mitta Valley in Victoria. That is near Albury-Wodonga. I and Thomas are 6th generation Australians on the Stehbens Family Tree. Our grandfather was Douglas Strand, son of Thomas William Strand, son of Fred & Emma (Stehbens) Strand. Emma Stehbens was the youngest daughter of Detlef and Anna Stehbens who migrated to Australia from Germany in 1865.
• A New Baby in the Family: Andrew Stehbens 2006 (35 KB)
  Andrew Stehbens is welcomed into the family by his cousins Ashleigh and Hayden Hopkins. His sister, Jenna is very happy to share her new little brother with her loved ones. And Nar and Nanny Stehbens are just as delighted to have Andrew in the family. Andrew's birthday was 13 March 2006.
• Grandad Stehbens drives a huge Coal Truck (97 KB)
  Many of our family live in Central Queensland in cities and towns such as Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone, Biloela, Tieri and Moura. They went to this part of Queensland a hundred years ago to raise cattle and to farm. When gold and copper was mined at Mount Morgan, some became miners and worked there. Later, when the huge coal mines were opened up, there were many well paid jobs at the new mines. Quite a number of our family got good jobs in the mining industry, the transport industry and in the smelters. Today, John Stehbens drives big coal trucks at Middlemount. Stuart Cross drives road trucks. Ricki Stehbens works in the Boyne Island smelter. Karen Stehbens works in the store at the Oakey Creek coalmine. If you have a story to tell about your parents or other family members who live and work in Central Queensland, send your letter by e-mail and we can put it on our website.
• Aussie Kids love sport: Tyrone & Phoebe @ Jujitsu (33 KB)
  The Gibson kids, Tyrone and Phoebe, are like many Aussie Kids - they are healthy, fit and active. Tyrone and Phoebe do Ju Jitsu and they did their grading today so here are their photos. The level they are on is Orange belt with a 2nd green tip which they received today. The person with them in the photos is their Sensei Luke who is also one of our local policemen. Phoebe also loves swimming. What sports do you play. You can send me your picture at sport for this website.
• Driving in Granddad's Little Red Car at Imbil (87 KB)
  "We went to visit Poppy and Nanny Stehbens. They are our Great-Grandparents. While we were there, we played in the little Red Car. It is more than 50 years old. It first belonged to our Granddad, when he was a small boy. Ben and I play in it, my mother used to drive it, and my Granddad and his sisters and brother played in it. Nanny Stehbens is a good gardener: that's why there are large dahlias in the photo too." Jake Brumpton 2003
• Space Shuttle Columbia before its disaster in 2003 (5 KB)
  Space Shuttle Columbia became a fireball on re-entry in February 2003. All seven crew died in the disaster. Pieces of the shuttle were strewn across the southern states of USA. In this drawing, Jake Brumpton captures the shuttle as it begins re-entry. Go to the related file "Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster" for a wonderful re-construction of the Columbia's re-entry on February 2, 2003 [AEST} or February 1, 2003 [ET/US].
• First Day at School, 2004 (31 KB)
  More than 40 children started school in January 2004, each of whom is a descendant of the Stehbens Family that arrived in Australia in 1865. They include Aharon Cross, Alexander Luthe, Angus O'Connor, Amber Rowe, Ben Brumpton, Benjamin Marks, Brady Powell, Brady Walker, Brandan Ehlers, Brooke Tucker, Calaya Humphreys, Christopher Lister, Ciaran Stehbens, Claudia Ing, Cooper Warner, Cortney Anderson, Dean Farr-Rizzollo, Dylan Tsangarliotis, Faith Scott, Georgia Hanrahan, Hayden Stehbens, Ida Stehbens, Jamie Lowrey, Jarod Davies, Jasmin Carter, Jordon Wright, Jordyn Walker, Joseph Martinod, Lachlan Conrad, Liana Haak, Madison Weber, Maree Gatt, Nicole Jorgensen, Ryan Ford, Sharna Goodman-Jones, Samuel Oliver, Tamyka Gentles, Taylah McLeod, Taylor McNabb, Thomas McKenzie, Thomas Strand, Tia Booth, and Timothy Shailer.
• "Howzat?" Batsman's out. Bowled Jake Brumpton (16 KB)
  Jake Brumpton played cricket at Marshall Road State School. When bowling, he sends down medium pacers, with a high trajectory. His dad captured this particular one on film. Watch it clean bowl the opposing batsman. The batsman missed, the ball hits the stumps, rebounds and the batsman is still looking for the ball. The umpire records that the batsman is out, bowled Brumpton JR and Jake thoughtfully prepares to bowl his next delivery. That's cricket. Congratulations Jake!
• Why is my ball so small? It used to be up to here! (31 KB)
  "My ball used to be much bigger. How did the air get out? When I was small the ball was much bigger." As we grow the things around us seem to get smaller. Ben Brumpton started school this year, and after one week, he was pleased because "I learnt to read, and I learnt to tie my shoelaces." He'll soon be reading this website, too. We hope you enjoy learning, Ben.
• Ben Brumpton is a guitarist at age 8! (32 KB)
  Ben Brumpton is earnestly learning to play the guitar. He enjoys his music. His clever mum made him a guitar to celebrate his birthday with his friends.
• Dux & Swimming Champion @ St George School (29 KB)
  2006 was a year of achievement for Jake and Ben Brumpton. They attended St George Primary School. Jake was President of the Student Council, and Dux of the school. Ben won all swimming events in his age group, as so is Age Champion. They were also given awards for excellence and for their participation in the School Choir. Both boys enjoy music, sport and learning. Jake dreams of being a mechanic or maybe a mechanical engineer. Congratualations Jake & Ben.
• When baby boys were beautiful babies too! - 1915 (13 KB)
  Robert John Stehbens with his mother, Catherine Jane (nee Findlay) Stehbens. Robert was born on 10 May 1914 and lived in Imbil until he was 91. Robert was born in Bundaberg. At the time his father, Bob Stehbens conducted a butchery at Maroondan, and his mother was the railway gatekeeper. Robert Stehbens has 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, and they were all beautiful babies too!
• Big Aussie Kids on adventure in New Zealand - 1992 (18 KB)
  Going underground on an airbed following rivers through caves, jumping down small waterfalls in the darkness, is only for big kids. Black Water Rafting at Waitomo Caves, New Zealand, was a great adventure for David Stehbens, Trish Livsey and Heidi Stehbens. Trish is Heidi's friend and David is her brother. They are children of Ian & Margaret Stehbens of Sydney.
• Heidi Catherine Stehbens - 1981 (12 KB)
  Heidi Catherine Stehbens was born 18 September 1979 in South Brisbane. This is my favourite photo of her. Its the quiet joy that is captured in this portrait, that makes it a great shot. And it is so true of her. Heidi was named after the town of Heide, Germany, the origin of the family before migration to Australia, and also as the word Heidi translates as Heather, it reminds us of her Scottish Findlay ancestry as well. Catherine was the name of one of her Great Grandmothers, Catherine Jane (Findlay) Stehbens who had a profound spiritual and gracious influence on her children and grandchildren - "to the 3rd and 4th generation"!
• Dawn Stehbens and her china doll: 1932 (181 KB)
  Dolls were once the favourite toy of little girls. Dawn's doll was made of china and beautifully painted. It was often said of Dawn that she was "as beautiful as a china doll". What were your favourite toys when you were small and what are they now. Dawn lived in Kingaroy, Queensland.
• Kirk Malcolm Scott Robertson without a kilt? 2000 (16 KB)
  Kirk was born 7 Jan 1999 in Brisbane. His Robertson ancestry is strongly Scottish, hence his names. He is the son of Joy (Stehbens) and Bruce Robertson. The very strong physical resemblance to the images of his Grandfather Robert Stehbens at the same age is striking. This photo was taken at the celebrations for his Nanny Stehbens' 80th birthday.
• Madeline & Sophie Price live on Imbil Island, Q. (71 KB)
  Madeline and Sophie are sisters who live on an island. The island is surrounded by Yabba Creek. The island is used for farming. Farmers grow corn, and vegetables. Sophie and Madeline's dad keeps cattle on the island and their mum grows lavendar. The girls help their mum sell lavendar products at the market in IMBIL, whenever the historic train, "The Mary Valley Rattler", brings tourists to Imbil. The girls love going to school in Imbil, a very pretty village in the Mary Valley, Queensland.
• Sam Oliver starts school and is "Kid of the Week" (30 KB)
  Samuel Oliver started school in January 2004. He was able to join his big brother, Jack Oliver, at his school. One of their Granddads, Granddad Kevin Voltz, took this photo of Sam and Jack with their Mum, Kelly, and their Dad, Andrew Oliver. The family live in Manly West, Queensland. Sam's other Granddad, Herb Oliver, reported that Sam was named "Kid of the Week" during his second week at school. Congratulations Sam!
• Keppel, Ken and Esme Hansen: 1943 (16 KB)
  What do you want to be when you grow up? "I want to be like my Dad." Ken's Dad was a Lighthouse Keeper, then he became a seaman. He served in the US Navy during the war. He started a whaling station on Norfolk Island. He sailed the ocean between Australia and Solomon Islands many times. Ken admired his Dad. He grew up to run a marine shop selling boats and anything to do with the sea. Like his Dad, he loves the sea. [Ken's mother, Esme was the granddaughter of Caroline Stehbens and John Lister. So Ken is a 5th generation Australian on the Stehbens Family Tree.]
• Boys who enjoy the adventures of pirates (99 KB)
  Pirates are the wicked men of the sea. They defied the law and plundered other boats while they sailed the seven seas. Recently the Australian Navy regarded those who fled Iraq, when the invasion and bombing of Iraq began, as pirates. Their boats were boarded by the Navy and their crews apprehended. Their small boats or dhows carried dates, or drums of oil. The stories of pirates make wild adventure stories that excite the imagination of 9 year old boys, like Jake Brumpton and his friend Ben and his small brother Ben. This photo was taken at Jake's 9th Birthday. What a great Pirate Cake! Happy Birthday Jake.
• Christmas Gifts: Dolls for Girls & Cars for Boys (40 KB)
  The Stehbens children from Loxton, South Australia had Christmas 1964 with their Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Grandpa and Grandma Matheson are surrounded by their grandchildren. Meredith Stehbens holds her doll while sitting on Grandma's lap. David Stehbens holds his car while standing beside Grandma. In the front are Sharon Hutton, Alison Stehbens, Erina Hutton, Julianne Stehbens and Fiona Coudrey all of whom are nursing their nurse dolls. Did the gifts inspire David to become a mechanic or the girls to become nurses when they grew up? David lives in Beachport, South Australia and is the "Fridge Man". What do you want to be when you grow up?
• Big Spade for a Small Boy on a Big Beach: 1964 (15 KB)
  Gilbert Stehbens was photographed by a Courier Mail photographer on Suttons Beach, Recliffe during his Christmas Holiday with his parents, Dr & Mrs William Stehbens. Gilbert is 2 years old at the time and then the family lived in Canberra. When the picture was published, Gilbert was the "Sun Kid" for the week. Today, Gilbert lives near Auckland, New Zealand.
• Hungry Boys & Hungry Jack's : Jake & Ben Brumpton (84 KB)
  The playground is even better than the food at Hungry Jack's.
• Exploring your local area: David maps Holland Park (128 KB)
  Though only 7 years old, David Stehbens had begun to explore his local area. He would then draw a map of the area. This map of Holland Park West in Brisbane, is a remarkable piece of mapping. Mott Park is shown as two areas of green through which a creek runs. The brown roads are Logan Road and Marshall Road. David's school, Marshall Road State School and his church, Holland Park Uniting Church, are both shown accurately. Each of the dots represents a house. The ancient Chinese navigators and Matthew Flinders would be impressed by David's map.David's uncle is a map-maker, his grandfather an airforce navigator, and his father is a geographer. Perhaps David learnt a lot about maps when he was very young. (This map was drawn before the South East Freeway F3 was built.)
• Dossie & Robbie play on a SeeSaw @ Monsildale 1919 (152 KB)
  Have you ever played on a seesaw? Have you ever made your own toys? Dossie and Robbie lived at Monsildale where their father worked his bullock team hauling big logs out of the forest to the sawmill. Their proper names were Dorothy and Robert Stehbens. A seesaw is an interesting toy. It is a lever. Robbie is using the lever to lift his sister off the ground. His sister then uses the lever to lift her brother off the ground. The log they are riding lies over another log. Use a dictionary to learn the meaning of these words: lever, pivot, inertia, momentum.
• Champion Cyclist begins young: Brooke Tucker :2000 (31 KB)
  Uncle Russell Tucker teaches Brooke Lauren Tucker to ride her first bike. Russell owns the Cycle Inn in North Rockhampton. He sells bikes in his shop. Lauren's dad, Kenrick Tucker, was a champion cyclist who won medals in World Championships, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. Lauren's uncles, Uncle Russell and Uncle Byron were also champions. You can see Lauren's Dad riding on the Global Stehbens Family Website. Go to the RELATED LINK and click.
• Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House 22 Sep 2003 (59 KB)
  Michael Brumpton during his first flight in a large aeroplane took this photo as the plane was approaching Sydney Airport. He sends his picture to show his children at home how amazing Sydney is when seen from the air. What a wonderful flight. "I really have been bitten. I am ready to fly all over the world now," he said.
• Liam Gibson, a New Leaf on our Family Tree: 2003 (38 KB)
  Grandma Wakefield submits these photos to prove that her new grandson is a beautiful baby boy! Liam was born in Mackay, Queensland on 24 January 2003. Liam James Anthony Gibson has been on the family tree for sometime, because today, doctors are able to use a scan to view the baby in its mother's womb and so we knew he was a boy and we knew his name before he was born. Liam's mother is Erin (Wakefield) and his dad is Troy Gibson. His Stehbens ancestors are Erin Wakefield, Diane Nielsen, James Nielsen, Myrtle Lister, Ernest Lister, Caroline Stehbens, Detlef Staeben. As all these ancestors were Australians, it means that Liam is an 8th generation Australian.
• Two Clowns Came Home From Kindergarten: 1997 (20 KB)
  One day a long, long time ago (sometime back in the previous millenium) when 3-year-old boys went to Day Care, the teachers would change their faces if they were good three-year-old boys. A little paint could give a complete face-lift. Well, one day a little boy, called Jake, went to Day Care and he was very, very good. He was so good, that his teacher changed his face. When Jake saw himself in the mirror he laughed at the blue-nosed clown. But no one knew where Jake Brumpton had gone. Perhaps he was behind the mirror, or perhaps he was behind the paint. That afternoon when Jake went home his mother didn't recognize him. His mother said to his father, "Please put the clown in the toy box where he belongs. Then it will be time for dinner." So his Dad took him to the toy box, and out popped another clown. "Did you know we had two clowns in the toy box?" he asked. "There is one with a red nose and one with a blue nose."
• Jake Brumpton completes large Australian Jigsaw (35 KB)
  Jake's Dad and Grandad are as pleased as Jake is with the completion of a very big jigsaw puzzle. Jake rceived the jigsaw for his birthday as a gift from his Grandad and Grandma Stehbens. It was published by Australian Geographic. I wonder how many hours it took Jake to complete it. Good on you, Jake. You might like to look at the Australian Geographic website to learn more about Australia. Go to www.australiangeographic.com/index.cfm and click on the LIBRARY tab, then select "White Mountains" and click on the arrows for a fascinating explore of a Queensland wilderness. If you were to be part of an expedition would you want to be the herpetologist, the mycologist, the botanist, the helicopter pilot, or the photographer?
• Happy Easter to all Kids: Jesus is Risen Indeed! (40 KB)
  In the northern hemisphere, at Easter time it is Spring. In Europe where our Stehbens ancestors came from, Easter is the time when the snow has gone, bulbs have shot, the trees in the orchards are blooming, the birds are nesting, chicks are hatching and the rabbits are having babies. Christians celebrate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus at this time. Resurrection is rising to new life. So Christians have seen the Spring, the birds eggs, and the new baby animals as reminders of Jesus' resurrection to new life. That's why eggs and chicks decorate Ben's "Easter Hat". I don't think Ben wants us to call it an "Easter Bonnet" do you? Happy Easter greetings to you from your cousins, all around the world.
• Lara Duval and her Teddy charm the world : 1997 (17 KB)
  Lara Elizabeth Duval is a 7th Generation Australian of the Stehbens Clan, but what generation of Bear her Teddy is, no one knows! Born 13 June 1996, Lara is the daughter of Tracey Ann (Lister) and George Duval. Her Grandad Peter Lister, is the son of Raymond Lister and he was the son of Frederick Lister, and he was the son of Caroline Stehbens and John Robert Lister. So Caroline is Lara's Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother. When Caroline was only 7, she came to Australia in a small sailing ship called "Sophie". This year Lara will be 7 year old 7th generation Australian. Happy Birthday, Lara, from your many cousins!!!
• Luke & Ida Stehbens with Thomas Stehbens (23 KB)
  Our Grandad Stehbens drives a huge truck hauling coal from the opencut coalmines at Middlemount, central Queensland. Luke & Ida's dad, Greg builds dams but he used to work in the underground coalmines. Thomas' Dad, Andrew Stehbens, works for a company which manages mine site waste. He makes sure the environment is cared for and the rivers are not polluted. He uses computers a lot to do his job. Luke is 13, Ida is 4, and Thomas was born in 2001. P.S. Our Grandma, Clare Stehbens, proudly sent our photo to our website.
• Stars the Stehbens children first saw in 1865 (24 KB)
  When the first Stehbens children arrived in Australia in 1865, they saw stars in the night sky they had never seen in Germany. The Southern Cross is one group of stars that they could not see when they lived in Germany. Johann, Kate, Wilhelm, Anna, Caroline and even little Emma looked up at the sky in Maryborough and saw the Southern Cross. The Southern Cross can be seen in our southern sky every night, if there are no clouds. Ask the older people in your family to show you the Southern Cross one night. Quiz: 1. What is the difference between the way the Southern Cross is shown on the New Zealand flag and the way it is shown on the Australian flag? 2. In what way is the Southern Cross shown differently on the Australian flag from the way it is shown on the flag of Papua New Guinea? You will enjoy looking at the Melbourne Planetarium website: http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/planetarium
• Phoebe Gibson, Biloela, Queensland, Australia (9 KB)
  Phoebe was born in Dysart, Queensland. The people who work the huge coalmines or transport the coal by rail to the port live in Dysart. Now Phoebe lives in Biloela.
• "Hi you kids, I know how to ski!" - Daniel Debois (23 KB)
  Water skiing is an exciting sport, especially when you go with Mum and Dad. Daniel Desbois who lives with his Mum and Dad at Tieri, in Central Queensland has not had his first birthday yet, but he loves the warm water and the roar of the boat as his grown-up friends ski on the river. Equipped with his life jacket, he is ready to go out on the water in the arms of his Dad. The summers are long and very warm where Daniel lives, so in the water of the river or at the beach is a great place to be. But water safety is very important. Wear your life jacket, slap on a hat and slop on some sunscreen. Always, just like Dan. Daniel is the son of Nat (Stehbens) and Tim Desbois.
• Tyrone Gibson of Biloela, Queensland, Australia (10 KB)
  Tyrone is 10. He was born in Dysart. He loves to go to Callide Dam with his family. They camp and fish. He goes to Ju Jitsu with his sister, Phoebe. They both have orange belts with 2 green tips, now.
• When the School Choir sings on stage, Mum watches! (51 KB)
  Singing in the choir is a special thing to do. It makes Mum and Dad very proud. Mum smiles. Dad smiles. Mum claps loudly. Dad takes photo proudly. The children sing and stand very still. They sway and do actions - flying like a bird, swimming like a fish, sailing like a boat, or just waiting until the billy boils. Being on stage means being in the spotlight, and it is very hard to see when the spotlight is in your eyes. It is very hard to find Mum and Dad in the audience but they are there somewhere, smiling, clapping and snapping photos. Marshall Road State School Year 1 choir sang wonderfully in this stage performance. Ben Brumpton was one of them.
• Xanthe Gibson of Biloela, Queensland, Australia (9 KB)
  Xanthe Renee Gibson was born in Mackay. She is the eldest in her family. Her Great Grandmother Stehbens lives on a farm nearby.
• Daniel Desbois loves riding small horses (43 KB)
  Daniel Desbois rode a small pony at the Finch Hatton Show. His Grandfather Stehbens, his Great-Grandfather Stehbens, his Great-Great Grandfather Stehbens and his Great-Great-Great Grandfather Stehbens were all famous for riding horses. Two of them were jockeys, one built his own racetrack and all of them won many prizes riding their horses in shows and in races. I wonder what Daniel wants to be when he grows up. Do you have any photos of you riding a horse? Send them to me and I will put them on this website for you.
• My first fish caught on my own line: a Yellowbelly (26 KB)
  I like fishing with my Dad. I have my own rod and reel now. Today I caught my first fish. It was a Yellowbelly. We went fishing in the Balonne River. We ate it for dinner. It was Yum! (Ben Brumpton, St George, Queensland)

• GLOBAL STEHBENS FAMILY WEBSITE: more photos
• Learn about the SUN & MOON & STARS we can see in Australia
• Learn more about "Titanic" to contrast it with the "Sophie"
• V8 Supercar Racing @ Mt Panorama, Bathurst :Jarrod Thompson
• A Christmas Card for you from your American Cousins
• Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster reconstructed.
• BUTTERFLIES of Australia. A science project site.
• SOPHIE: a little ship that carried the Stehbens to Australia
• Some Stehbens Kids descend from Murrays of "Warrawang" NSW
• The TIGER. A poem by William Blake. With pictures.
• Kate Stehbens' site for Kids who love HORSES

mirs@bigpond.com

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