Little information is known of their early days in Australia, but it would appear that Conrad and Louisa found their way up to Maitland – probably by coastal sailing ship – as their first son Frederick Christian was born there on October 1862, two months after their arrival.
From Maitland they moved further north – through the Hunter district to the Boggabri district. Four of their children – Mary Catherine, Charles, John and Edward were registered as born in Berrioye, Black Creek and Maules Creek areas between 1864 and 1870.
It is known that Conrad was employed at “Mt. Lindsay Station” as a shepherd prior to purchasing “Slatey Gully” in 1874. “Mt. Lindsay Station” was a large tract of land (estimated area – 38,400 acres) situated at the head of the Horton River – approximately 15 x 4 miles. Owned by the Rusden family. (Government Gazette, 1848)
Life would not have been easy for Conrad and Louisa during these years. As there were no fences on the “runs” there was a great need for shepherds, but life would have been very primitive.
The shepherd had to be out with his sheep in all weather on account of the dingoes. Before first light, the shepherd would take his sheep out to graze. During the day he would ensure his sheep fed quietly, and at sunset the shepherd would bring them back to an enclosure near the hut. With the help of dogs chained nearby, the shepherd would continue to watch throughout the night.
Jim Handsaker (d. 1990), an old identity of upper Maules Creek, referred to, in ‘Early History of Maules Creek’, the many shepherds’ huts that he remembered situated along Maules Creek. No doubt there would have been more huts further to the north. It is quite probable that Conrad and his family would have lived in one of these huts.