Pioneers

German Immigrants to Tenterfield

Tenterfield Shire has been impacted by many groups of people migrating to its rich pasturelands. In the 19th century, settlers came from several states in Germany to find work and a new home. Several factors influencing this movement included the turbulent times in Europe during that period:

religious intolerance meant many were expelled for their beliefs e.g. Lutherans
conscription for war against France in the 1870s,
economic upheavals with rapid urbanisation. This caused disruption and displacement of rural workers.

In NSW, large beef and sheep stations had been established and there was a high demand for experienced labourers as many locals rushed to the goldfields (1851).

Early days: Many German migrants were first brought to the Tablelands as labourers or shepherds for the pastoral properties, such as Tenterfield Station. They had a reputation for being hard working and enterprising and the area was attractive to these settlers for the above reasons.

Changes: Significant changes occurred when the Crown Lands Acts were introduced by the New South Wales Premier, John Robertson, in 1861 to reform land ownership in the state and in particular to break the squattocracy's domination of land tenure. This allowed European settlers to legally buy and occupy 'Crown lands'. Many Germans such as the Heiss, Lohse, Petrie and Sommerlad families took up this opportunity to become independent small holding farmers.

Example: A good example of this group is Johan and Wilheminia Sommerlad. Johan worked as a gardener at Tenterfield Station from 1857. In 1877 the couple purchased 400 acres north of Tenterfield and started the first commercial orchard. Johan Sommerlad is considered the Father of the fruit industry introducing stone fruits and apples to New England.

Other Trades:

Many German immigrants became prominent in trades and small manufacturing. They set up business in the towns of the shire being saddlers, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, bakers, millers, and jewellers. Surviving signage on buildings hints at their presence. In Tenterfield, there is the ‘Kneipp” building which was a Saddle and Harness Emporium in 1892.

There was also Imberger’s Sawmill and Joseph Schiffmann’s Excelsior Saddlery Depot as well as the wheelwright business of Charles Leis who, in 1881 acquired the Terminus Hotel. Jacob Heiss was an undertaker, cabinetmaker and builder.

Many streets and roads in the shire reflect the influence of these families n the economy of Tenterfield.

Modern developments:

Sister city – in 2002, a suggestion from a local German resident encouraged visionary mayor Lucy Sullivan to pursue an agreement of friendship with the rural town of Ottobeuren in Bavaria as a way of recognising the significant contribution of German settlers to the development of Tenterfield Shire.

As a means of ensuring cultural exchange between the towns, the Rotary Club of Tenterfield has sponsored the Biennial Bavarian Music and Beerfest a key feature of which is the Original Bavarian Brass Band. The Band stays and performs in the town as a wonderful and lively reminder of Tenterfield’s German heritage. Sadly, this festival has now been discontinued.