Stacy and Hannah Needer, from Coolabunia, with Muster Dogs star “Chief” and eight-week-old Patch
September 9, 2025
The Back To Kumbia celebration at the weekend was the culmination of a massive effort by the Kumbia community over the past 18 months to raise funds to restump the historic Kumbia & District Memorial School of Arts (aka “Kumbia Memorial Hall”).
Honour Boards naming the major donors to the project were officially unveiled on Saturday morning after a short service to rededicate the building as a memorial to Australian war veterans.
Bill and Sandra Steffensen, from the Kumbia Hall Committee, were the major movers and shakers behind the restumping project.
Sandra told southburnett.com.au an incredible $179,652.25 had been raised for the restumping project, but there was still a donation box to be counted as well as money raised at the Back To Kumbia weekend.
And the good news is … all the more than 230 old wooden stumps have now been replaced with adjustable metal versions!
The Back To Kumbia weekend featured a community celebration on Saturday that included stalls from current and former local associations, a ute muster competition and a truck and antique motor vehicle display.
Other highlights included an exhibition by whipcracking champions Jackson Kerkow, from West Wooroolin; and Braxton, Harry and Willow Bartlett, from Haly Creek.
“Muster Dogs” competitor Nathan Obst, from Kingaroy, attracted a big crowd to watch him putting his dogs through their paces controlling a small mob of sheep.
The Kumbia Museum was also open for visitors to explore Kumbia’s rich history.
In the afternoon, Oakey band “The Diamonds (Plus)” took to the hall stage to encourage visitors to “cut the rug” on the dancefloor in an old-time dance.
And in the evening, the Australian Army Band took over the hall for a free concert.
On Sunday morning, a barbecue breakfast was put on as a Father’s Day treat for visitors.
Nathan Obst and “Chief” put on a display of mustering skillsChaplain Jenny Schleusener, from HMAS Moreton in Brisbane, rededicated the building as a memorial to Australian war veteransAt the rededication ceremony were, from left, Barry Haydon (TPI Association), Patty Winters and Steve Reynolds (Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch), chaplain Jenny Schleusener, Barry and Pat Offer (Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch), Lutheran pastor Rev Stuart Kleinig and Catholic priest Fr Stanley OrjiKingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch secretary Steve Reynolds read “The Ode” at the rededication ceremonyCr Danita Potter, South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff, Fr Stanley Orji and Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch secretary Steve ReynoldsBill Steffensen, from the Kumbia Hall Committee, unveils the Stump Appeal donation boardBill and Sandra Steffensen with the two Honour Boards for the 2024-25 Stump AppealThe first stump to be replaced, and we guess we know why ….Former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, right, with his childhood Mannuem neighbour John RobinsonRhonda Smith (Kingaroy QCWA) and Aura Marks (Kumbia QCWA) were helping out at the morning tea for invited dignitaries … Rhonda also grew up in KumbiaJanet Williams, from Kingaroy … the Williams family has a long connection to Kumbia, going back to the early farming daysHeather Unverzagt and Hellen Golley from the Kumbia Chat & Craft group which had a display in the hallSouth Burnett Deputy Mayor Ros Heit with Kumbia’s Desiree and David CrawfordTom Johnson, from Wattle Camp, and Ross Bean, were manning the Kingaroy Men’s Shed stallWhipcracking champs … Jackson Kerkow, from West Wooroolin, with Braxton, 13; Harry, 9; and Willow Bartlett, 5, from Haly CreekHarry Bartlett shows his expertise in double-handed whipcrackingJackson Kerkow tests the mettle of volunteer Zachary Reardon, from KingaroyWillow Bartlett wowed the crowd with whips bigger than she is!Post ripping and chainsaw demonstrations also entertained the crowdLocal emergency services also had displays including the guys and gals from the Kingaroy Fire BrigadeJohn Kefford and Murray Beil, from Kingaroy, were sharing Kumbia memoriesShaun Bliesner, from Kingaroy, with his family’s 1960 International AA120 4×4 which was purchased new by his great-uncle Donald Kath and has always been in the family … the truck, christened “Honor Bessie”, formerly carried calves and pigs to the Kingaroy saleyardsLyndell Kucks, from Kingaroy, was inspecting the displays inside the Kumbia MuseumGraham Reed, from Inverlaw, and Ian Stolzenberg, Kingaroy … Graham was a foundation member of the Kumbia Apex Club while Ian joined in 1979; the club closed in 1991Haley Wilson, from Nanango, was judging the entries in the Ute Muster competition … there were more than 10 categories to assess!Joshua Cross, from Toowoomba, was named Grand Champion in the Ute Muster with his 2000 CommodoreLarry Frohloff, from Kingaroy, was Reserve Champion, with his 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ47Jamie Miles, from Kingaroy, with his 1981 Holden WB ute which won “People’s Choice”“The Diamonds (Plus)” provided the musical accompaniment for the old-time dance
Wow, that was a awesome weekend. So proud of us.
Kumbia may be small but always comes up trumps!