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...
Thomas Hughes Thomas – Ipswich Entrepreneur
Thomas Hughes Thomas was born in Wales and came to Ipswich with his parents as a young boy. He apprenticed as a pastrycook to Mr F Whitehouse of Whitehouse Café in Nicholas Street after leaving school but then changed his career path to hairdressing. Thomas went to work...
The West Moreton Scientific and Literary Club
On Saturday 13 July 1908, the West Moreton Scientific and Literary Club was formed. Initiated by Dr J. A. Cameron, the club provided a forum for the presentation and discussion of both scientific and literary papers. It would go on to meet once a month in the Ipswich...
Looking Back: Your home and its history
On Saturday the 6th of August, 2016 Ipswich Libraries hosted a special event in conjunction with the Queensland State Archives and Ipswich City Council. The event “Looking Back: Your home and its history” was held at the Ipswich Central Library and was well attended by a wide...