`Whence they came...`

`the Atherton side`

Chrissie Svenson was the daughter of a Danish emmigrant who settled in Cairns, North Queensland (to cope with T.B.). She married Ernest Atherton ( both above) who was the son of John Atherton, pioneer of the Atherton Tablelands fame (John was from Lancashire). John, pictured above seated with the clan, married a tough woman Kate- reputedly a great shot. Kate was a Scot who had been married in the U.S. but moved to Australia when her American husband died. Ernest was Minister for Mines in the Queensland Government for a short stint in the 30s'. Chrissie latter gained an O.B.E. for work with country women (she was president of the CWA for some time) and "bush children". They had four children - John Richard was Stephens' father (pictured above at 4 months). Henry died in WWII in England- he flew his aircraft into a mountain. Chappie died in 1994 in the North and John's sister Lucy died in the 1980's in Sydney where she lived. Right is one of the last known photos of Henry in the U.K.

John was educated by the Jesuits at Riverview in Sydney (to right). His early career was as cadet reporter on the Cairns Post (he ended his career as editor-in-chief of the "Courier Mail", Queenslands' largest rag). He is pictured far right near Cairns. He moved to Brisbane where he met Vilma Remington (Terry), whom he married in1950. John died very young at 52 in 1979 about a week after Stephen's 20th birthday.

For and overview of the family tree, click on above

(From page 22 is the most relevant)

Terry was educated by a bunch of wonderfully sadistic nuns. Her father had died when she was young- an artist from wonderful Wigan in Lancashire.

To this lovely couple were born three sons. Christopher Ernest was born in 1952, Stephen- head of "AthoMan.Com" - was born October 31st 1959 and Jonathan Francis was born May 25th 1961.

(As at 2002) Chris is currently a solicitor, Jon a stand-up comic and actor. Stephen works for Apple Computer Australia.