Ipswich School of Arts
Soon after settlers arrived and 10 years before Ipswich became a municipality in 1860, a School of Arts was proposed in town thus proving that the people of Ipswich have always valued books & reading. This institution has evolved through a number of name changes and locations but...
An Old Style Quenching of the Thirst
In earlier times, Ipswich, like most towns and cities across the country, had its share of local soft drink and cordial manufacturers. One of our first manufacturers was W.G. Livermore. Born in England on 23 November 1853, William George (W.G) journeyed with his parents George and Mary Ann...
Hotel Metropole
Recently the Hotel Metropole on the corner of Waghorn & Brisbane Streets closed its doors. Hotels have stood on this site for over 150 years. Whilst the Metropole first opened in 1906, it was built on the site of the old Harp of Erin Hotel. The hotel was...
Ipswich North State School 150th Anniversary
Ipswich North State School celebrated its 150th anniversary on Saturday 8 July 2017. Ipswich North State School was formally opened on 1 July 1867. An account of the opening was originally reported by the Queensland Times on 2 July 1867. This same article states: “Only twenty-six children were entered on the...
School holidays in Ipswich
School holidays are always cause for celebration when you are a child – no school and long days to fill with play and friends! Pure bliss! When I was young in the early 1960s, school holidays in Ipswich were a treat. There was a visit to the Wintergarden...
Our People, Our Past
Born in England in 1886, Mr William Bretherton Parkinson came to Australia when he was 19 years of age. He worked for some time at the Ipswich Gas Company and Cribb and Foote’s. In 1919 he established himself as a Real Estate Agent and became very successful,...
A June wedding
June weddings have been popular for centuries. In the northern hemisphere June is summertime and winter snows have melted making it easier, especially in earlier times, to travel & hold celebrations. In the 19th and early 20th centuries when many British migrants settled in Australia, June was still...
Were You a Fan?
[This post is best viewed using Chrome] In the past, Ipswich businesses used advertising fans to promote their goods and services. Photos of some of the fans distributed by well-known local establishments are included below. More examples of these advertising fans can be found on Picture Ipswich – the Ipswich...
Just in time for the Ipswich Show
Roll up, roll up! Next week from the 19th to 21st May the Ipswich Show will be on again. What an exciting time to be had with so much on offer for everyone including livestock, farm produce, young talent show, pet parades, dunny derby and even monster trucks....