Right Royal Welcome
Years before The Beatles or The Rolling Stones came to Australia, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother visited Ipswich. It was a rock star welcome. 12000 loyal subjects greeted Her Royal Highness at Queen’s Park including approximately 5000 excited, flag-waving school children. Some waited 8 hours in the heat...
Valentine’s Day
Back in February 1937, it was reported in an Australian newspaper that other countries had begun to revive the old-fashioned tradition of marking St Valentine’s Day on February 14. Retailers in Melbourne followed suit, as staff at the Myer Emporium created themed window displays in an attempt to inspire customers...
William Pratt, Jewellers, Ipswich
William ‘Bill’ Pratt was born in New South Wales in 1877. He began his career into the watchmaking and jewellery trade opening his own shop in John Street, Singleton. At age 25, William married Miss Louisa Parr on 7 May, 1902 in Singleton. They made their way...
Christmas celebrations of the past
As the Christmas season begins again it is fascinating to take a look back at past Christmas celebrations in Ipswich. The Saturday night before Christmas in 1894 saw a bustling centre of town, with Brisbane Street full of chatter and laughter. Shop windows held lavish Christmas displays of...
GIF IT UP 2016 – We Have the Winners!
GIF IT UP Ipswich! The Digital Public Library of America, in conjunction with Europeana, DigitalNZ and Trove, recently announced the winners of their annual GIF IT UP contest. Entries for the contest opened on 1 October 2016, with everyone from professional gif-makers, history buffs, and animators to first-time...
Mayors of Ipswich: Alfred John Stephenson and Alfred Tully Stephenson
Alfred John Stephenson was elected Mayor of Ipswich in 1907 and 1914, and served as a councillor in 1902-1906 and 1908-1914. Born in London in 1845, Stephenson was educated at a private academy. He made his way as a young man to Australia and Ipswich by the time...
Grandfather to Grandson: Rockley Battye
Rockley Battye Snr. In 1873, Rockley Battye, his wife Sarah Harriet (nee Rigby) and only son Daniel Lewis Battye came to Australia from England, settling in Victoria. Battye began working in the woollen mills at Geelong and later Bowenfels, located in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales....
Ipswich Historical Society’s 50th Birthday Party
Founded in October 1966, the Ipswich Historical Society will celebrate its 50th Birthday Party on Saturday, 8 October 2016! Starting at 10am and concluding at 8pm, the event will be opened by Cr Paul Pisasale, Mayor of Ipswich. This Golden Jubilee celebration will include entertainment, children’s workshops, a lantern parade,...
Four Memorable Cafes from Ipswich’s History
Over the years Ipswich has been home to many interesting and delicious eateries, restaurants and cafes. Today, the city boasts a wide selection of coffee shops and early morning and late night eateries that serve just about every cuisine imaginable whether it be yummy cakes and pastries, hearty...