The Legend of Cocky Jerry Jar.
As recounted in the Queensland Times by local journalist Tom Barker, under the pen name of “Red Gum”, there was a man known as “Cocky-Jerry Jar, or Ti,” who was a member of a group of “Chinese who had been induced to emigrate to Moreton bay, principally...
Junior Red Cross
On August 13, 1914, nine days after World War I started, the Australian branch of the British Red Cross Society was established. The main depot was housed at Government House in Melbourne. The State divisions were formed at the same time being led by the wives of...
Spring Cleaning: an insight into the early years
On the 1st of September we celebrated the coming of Spring. It is the time of year for fantastic weather, beautiful blooming flowers and a great opportunity to get your hands dirty with cleaning around the house. To celebrate the changing of the seasons we have decided...
Jubilee Singers visit Ipswich
The Fisk Jubilee Singers were an African-American capella ensemble, meaning that they sang in a group or solo without accompanying instruments. Members were either emancipated slaves or the children of such. The original group began in 1871 singing slave songs and plantation melodies to audiences as a...
Olympic Torch Relay
Did you know that back in the year 2000, when Sydney hosted the Summer Olympic Games, Ipswich was included as one of the destinations for the Olympic Torch relay? In June 2000, 27 Ipswich community members were among those selected to have the honour of carrying the torch into...
Read all about it!
In recent months the Ipswich Libraries has added several books to the Local History collection on topics ranging from World War One Soliders to the history of the Ripley Valley. In her book, In the Shadow of Mount Flinders : Stories of Ripley Valley , Pamela Lamb provides...
Gunner Norman George of Bundamba
Recently Picture Ipswich digitised a collection of war photographs, postcards and memorabilia belonging to the late Norman George of Bundamba. Norman was a gunner during the First World War and was just 18 years old when he enlisted for active service on the 9th of October 1915. At the...
McMahon’s SoftDrinks
McMahon’s Fruit Drinks was started by Frank McMahon in 1934 in a small rented building in West Street, Ipswich. With eight pounds in the bank and four pounds needed to connect electricity to the premises, Frank began his business with outdated machines and a large amount of...
150 Years of Rail in Queensland
This year marks 150 years since the first section of the Queensland railway line was opened and travelled upon. This small yet much anticipated train journey took place in July 1865 on a section of track constructed between Ipswich and Bigges Camp (now known as Grandchester). This was a...