Blodwyn Gwladys Whitehead, OAM
Blodwyn Gwladys Whitehead, a well-known and much-loved past Ipswich resident, sadly passed away on 22 December, aged 81 years. A funeral service was held for Blodwyn at the Burleigh Heads Uniting church on Wednesday 6 January, 2016 and a musical tribute will also be held for her...
Thank You to Our Text Detectives!
This year, Ipswich Libraries launched a new program called “Become a Text Detective” and invited members of the community to assist with the text correction of Trove’s digitised newspapers. The response from the public was incredible with over 50 people participating in the program since February. Throughout the year,...
The Ritz Theatre
In 1939 Queensland Theatres Pty Ltd decided to build a new Theatre in Ipswich. The architects chosen to design the building were Messrs. Guy Crick and Bruce Furse, Sydney; the building constructed by Messrs. J Hutchinson and Sons, Brisbane. Based on an art deco style in colours...
‘Notnel’ – A house with history….
In recent weeks the little-known house, ‘Notnel’ on 6 Burnett Street, West Ipswich was put up for sale by the long-time owners and renovators. Situated on a large block of green grass, rolling hills and hidden gardens, this property is one of Ipswich’s most stunning and hidden treasures...
GIF IT UP – Picture Ipswich Style!
Following on from GIF IT UP’s inaugural year in 2014, DigitalNZ and the Digital Public Library of America once again sent out the call to GIF-makers, creatives, history buffs, and animators from around the world to use their talents to create GIFs from source material that was both free...
Ipswichs’ Quirky Facts and Firsts
Over the years Ipswich has been known for many a quirky tale. Our town has also been home to many of Queensland and Australian firsts. Many of these facts and firsts are little known by the people of Ipswich, which is why we have decided to share these...
‘Australian Amateur Hour’ comes to Ipswich
‘Australian Amateur Hour’ was a talent quest radio programme originally made in Sydney. It was later broadcast from all major cities and ran for 18 years from 1940 to 1958. A team of seven staff travelled around Australia for eight months a year to audition contestants. Ten talented...
In Her Shoes : Remembering Ipswich Women
The Ipswich Central Library recently held an information awareness session – “In Her Shoes : Remembering Ipswich Women” – which focused on the lives and experiences of some remarkable local women. This event proved very popular with over 90 people in attendance. Guest speaker Irma Deas of the Ipswich Genealogical Society recounted the life...
Elizabeth George and Mary Fleischmann – Letters from the Home Front
During the First World War many Ipswich women watched their boys sign up to fight in the battle in Europe. Two such women were Elizabeth George and Mary Fleischmann. As a way of communicating with their friends and relatives overseas many Ipswich people sent postcards and other forms...