By Pene Greet and Avis-Ann Ballard
HEREDITY. IDENTITY. WHAT MAKES US WHAT WE ARE TODAY?
Inherited family photographs are signposts from which Pene and Avis-Ann unfold stories of grit, determination, tragedy, prosperity.
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May The Cane Prosper begins with impoverished German villagers Louise and her husband August Schilling, Louise's brothers Theo, Heinrich and Adolph Backhaus, and Louise's second husband Friedrich Tielkemeyer. In the 1890's these German migrants became tenant farmers of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Mundoo, in the Innisfail District.
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Their journey to prosperity, through two World Wars, is an absorbing read of the European immigrant patchwork that is Queensland today. Why did these migrants quit Germany for Calliope? How did they end up in Innisfail and Home Hill?
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May The Cane Prosper shows how the ordinary and necessary struggle to survive led to extraordinary outcomes - not least in the number, diversity, distribution and contribution of Tielkemeyer progeny across Queensland ... and beyond.
The Tielkemeyer Family circa 1908: Max Schilling, Minnie, Louise, Freida, Fred, Leishon and dogs
About the Authors
Pene Greet
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Born in Home Hill in 1959, Pene grew up and was educated in Queensland, prior to attending the University of New England in Armidale, NSW, and Adelaide University in South Australia. She completed a PhD in atmospheric physics in 1988, following which she spent two winters in Antarctica working - in 1990 - for the University of Adelaide, and in 1997 for the Australian Antarctic Division.
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Her book, Frostbytes is based on letters between Pene and Gina Price, a friend and colleague. The letters were sent over the year 1990 when Pene was working at Mawson, Antarctica, and Gina was working as an atmospheric physicist at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Frostbytes captures the life of female physicists working in remote environments.
While working for the Australian Antarctic Division Pene was based in Hobart, Tasmania. She returned for a second winter in Antarctica in 1997.
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For Pene's recent history, and further information on Frostbytes, click on her image.
Avis-Ann Ballard
Avis-Ann Hall was born in Toowoomba in 1951. Her father was employed by the National Bank of Australasia Limited and because of his transfers she attended 7 schools!
Avis-Ann did commercial studies at high school, then worked as a receptionist and office clerk before joining her father at the National Bank. Between 1969 and 1974, she travelled and worked abroad, visiting New Zealand, North and South America, England and Europe.
On her return to Australia in 1974, Avis-Ann rejoined the National Bank where she met, and in 1975 married, Paul Ballard - also a Bank Officer. Paul was transferred from Brisbane to Rockhampton, Eidsvold and Gatton, then resigned in 1992 when he and Avis-Ann purchased the local taxi business, which enabled their 3 children, Peta, Katie and David to complete their highschool studies at the same school.
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Avis-Ann is an inveterate traveller, having been to 60 countries and 7 continents, and likes to visit places of historical significance. For her recent history, click on Avis-Ann's image.
HOW TO ORDER OUR BOOK
Please email Pene for publication and shipping costs if you'd like to order your copy of May the Cane Prosper.
