Posted By erin on May 14, 2012

“Toronto” is one of the last surviving examples of the beautiful Gothic Architecture of the late 1800′s and one of the oldest timber houses in Ipswich. Situated at 30 Quarry Street, the land on which the cottage now stands was first purchased by Elizabeth Lloyd for the equivalent of $95 on the 6th of April 1863, of which shortly after a large timber house was erected. This house was an amazing structure with an attic and balcony, verandah, shingled roof, external pine boards, coach house and beautiful scalloped timber gables. After the house was complete it was given the name “Devonshire Cottage” which was painted beside the front entrance to the house. Although the owner of the house was Elizabeth Lloyd she was never said to have lived in it but instead rented it to a Dr. Mossop from 1870 - 1874 when it was sold to William Tamlyn with several other adjoining allotments.

William Tamlyn brought the property as an investment so continued to rent out the house until 1882 when it was sold once more to James Alexander Jackes. It is at this point that the house was no longer known as “Devonshire Cottage” but was renamed “Toronto” by Mr Jackes’ in memory of his birthplace. As well as the name, James Jackes also made several other changes to the house during the years of his ownership, which included the replacement of the shinlged roof with an iron one in 1906, the installation of reticulated water supply in 1909 and the subdivision of the property into two allotments in 1911. It was not until 1914 that Josephine Rowlands purchased “Toronto” and became the first person to own and reside in this magnificent house, staying for 36 years before she sold the house once more in 1940 to a Mr and Mrs McKelvie.

The McKelvies made a number of repairs and changes to the house during their ownership including the removal of the walk in pantry, the installation of an overmantle above the fireplace, and the installation of an iron roof to replace the laundry’s thatched roof. In 1965 they sold the house to Mr and Mrs Medlin who owned the property until 1970 when it was sold again to the Follett family.

Don and Val Follet undertook a major restoration project while researching the history of the house; discovering many amazing things about Toronto’s past. During their ownership they restumped and rewired the house, closed in the rear verandah, removed the eastern bathroom, refloored the front balcony, restored the wood floors, laid carpet, rebuilt the old coachhouse, and repainted the whole house its original dusty pink colour of 1863. Toronto has been sold several times since the Follets restoration project was complete including a sale in 2007 and 2008. It is currently for sale for quiet a bit more than its original $95.

Toronto (or Devonshire Cottage), 30 Quarry Street – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

Interesting facts:

When the Follet’s were removing the cedar attic doors they came across a wad of the Melbourne Argus newspaper wedged between the hinges, the date could still be read as 1863, which helped them to date the house.

The lamp post situated at the front of the house is that circa 1880 from a wing of the Ipswich Hospital that was demolished in 1970.

Windows on the built in verandah are those from the demolished Johnson’s Lolly Factory.

The fireplace overmantle was taken from a house that was situated behind the old Ipswich Fire Brigade and has since been demolished.

The house originally had 5 rooms, it is believed a wall may have been removed to make one larger room on the ground floor

Information taken from “Toronto” by Tanya Jen, “The Ipswich Heritage study” and several Queensland Times newspaper articles including: “Victorian Gem shone up  for new era”, “Grand homes history etched in finer details”, “Toronto keeps gothic style”

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Tags: Devonshire Cottage, Houses, Ipswich, Toronto

Posted By erin on May 14, 2012

Last week Picture Ipswich unveiled a whole gallery of photographs and interviews taken by the people of Ipswich during the devastating January 2011 floods. The images portray the devastation that Ipswich faced during and after the flood, with photographs of roads, houses, streets, shops and parks that were flooded and destroyed. Many of the photographs and interviews in the gallery show images and tell stories of the hundreds of people that helped clean up and get Ipswich back on its feet after a hard start to the year.

To see more of these amazing photographs or to listen to several of the interviews carried out after the flood go to Picture Ipswich

Footbridge over motorway at Goodna during flood, Goodna, Ipswich, 2011 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

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Posted By erin on May 1, 2012

The Queensland Farmers Co-operative was founded in 1899 after Peter Larsen a resident of the Ma Ma Creek area proposed the establishment of a Butter factory in the local area. It was a popular idea with many of the locals and before long the association was formed and Directors were appointed. The establishment of a local Butter factory was high on the association’s agenda and for many months proposals were put forward and examined. There was much debate as to where the factory should be located and many people suggested Brisbane as the appropriate area, however after a year of discussions it was decided that the factory would operate out of Ipswich.

It took 15 months to decide on a site in the area of Booval and then build and install the machinery necessary to run the new  butter factory. It was finally completed in 1901 and the first batch of milk was successfully processed in April of that year, however the factory was not opened until May. The first year of the factory’s beginnings were hard as drought plagued the town of Ipswich and its surrounds, however it was still a successful endeavour and talks were already underway on establishing further branch factories in other areas to cope with the rising need.

Between 1904 and 1909  four more Queensland Farmers Co-operative Association butter factory branches were established, working in conjunction with the main factory in Booval to produce 2 3/4 million pounds of butter per year. It was not until 1942, however that the butter factory also became a producer of  milk. Later in 1953 the Queensland Farmers Co-operative Association supplied milk for free to students under 13 years of age in schools in Ipswich and the surrounding areas. 45 schools were listed to receive the free milk service and changes were made to the Booval factory so that machinery could handle the smaller one-third pint bottles and the extra supply of 10,000 bottles of milk that was to be delivered to schools daily.

In 1962 it was reported that the factory was filling and capping 7000 bottles of milk per hour and producing 60,000 gallons of milk weekly, of which half was delivered to homes and stores in Ipswich and another 16,000 gallons was shipped to Brisbane. The factory was also producing 50 tons of cream a week, butter, unsalted butter, flavoured milk and skim and butter milk powders.

The Queensland Farmers’ Co-operative Company Butter factory, Booval 1930's – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

Information taken from The Ipswich Adviser “QLD. Farmerss Co-op. Assn. Ltd.” (1962) and The Queensland Times “15 Ipswich Schools get milk” (1953)

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Posted By erin on April 12, 2012

The city of Ipswich has a proud military history with many army camps having been established in the local area in support of local troops. The Redbank Army Staging Camp was just one of these establishments catering to thousands of men during World War 2 and taking up a vast majority of what is now known as River Road.

The Redbank Camp was home to the first Queensland fighting unit to be established for the Second Australian Infantry Force, the 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion; with work starting on the camp in 1939 after war was declared. The camp could hold a maximum of 2500 men with this quota being reached a week after operation and little more than sixty houses being built by the Allied War Council  in a two week time frame to compensate for the growing ‘township’.  In the coming months mess rooms, kitchens, a hospital, a barber, a library and an entertainment area large enough to cater to 1000 men were also erected and used by troops.

The Redbank Camp represented all branches of the Army including: cavalry, artillery, machine gun, anti-tank, transport, medical staff and the Australian Lighthorse, as well as playing host to the American troops later on in the war. Thousands of men were said to have travelled through the camp to learn the basics of soldiering and later embarking on the local railway line to war, while many more men were sent here after returning from the frontline to be ‘de-mobbed’. After a number of months the camp had become a permanent fixture with sewerage, drainage, a water supply, a Post Office and a Commonwealth Bank being established within the camp, and a large area of the camp dedicated to resemble a battlefield, which included trenches and mounts for practice purposes.

After the war excess stores were dumped in surrounding mine shafts and two of the depots were transformed into a morgue when American military dead were repatriated after the war. Much of land was later sold to the Mines Department. While one storage hangar was said to be relocated no evidence has been found of its whereabouts and another was later destroyed in a fire.  Today not much remains of the Redbank Army Camp except a Stores depot, which stands to the south of the old encampment.

Soldiers at the Redbank Army Camp – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

Information taken from “The Ipswich Heritage Study 1991″ and various Queensland Times newspaper.

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Tags: Redbank, World war 2

Posted By erin on March 29, 2012

On the 11th of March 1855 Ipswich’s first Congregational Church was opened in Brisbane Street, facing adjacent to Wharf Street. The Congregational Church in Ipswich played a large part in the daily lives of many devoted Ipswich families, including the Cribbs and the Wrights, who regularly showed support for the Church within the town. The first Congregational Church was a small but quaint building and after several years and a burgeoning population, it was decided that a larger Church be built. So, in 1871 the original church was transformed into a Sunday School and a new Chapel was built in its place.

A sketch of the first Congregational Church of Ipswich – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

The Church and Sunday School were both built on a block of land close to Gordon Street, which was infamous for the landmark known as “Devils Gully”, a spot that was notorious for flooding. During the Great Flood of 1893, the Sunday School was totally destroyed and the new Chapel was badly damaged. The Central Congregational Church decided that it would be unwise to rebuild on this land, so they purchased a new site within an allotment on East Street, a site which had been previously reserved for the new Ipswich Town Hall. In December 1894 the plans for the new Congregational Church and Sunday School were completed by architect George Brockwell Gill and finalised by the Sunday School Superintendent Mr James Cribb, who was a prominent figure within the Congregational Church and Ipswich.

After much debate about the financial burden this new building would put on the Congregational Church, the first foundation stone was laid at the new site on the 26th of April 1895, and the new Sunday School was opened before the close of the year. The total cost of the building was close to 4000 pounds, a price the Church could not afford to pay. However, due to the unwavering support of the congregation they were able to start a collection and received donations that in turn would pay for the production of one of the largest and most magnificent Sunday Schools in Queensland.

Congregational Church Sunday School on East Street – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

Information taken from various Queensland Times articles from the Viva Cribb Local History Resource Room.

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Tags: Congregational Church, George Brockwell Gill, James Cribb

Posted By erin on March 13, 2012

Thomas Charles Beirne was born in Ballymacurly, Ireland in 1860. After completing his schooling in 1880 he was employed as a draper with the Gallagher Brothers until he was persuaded by a friend to migrate to Australia. So, in 1884 Beirne set off for Melbourne, Australia on the ‘Lusitania’, where he was promptly employed by draper Eyre and Sheppard.  In 1886 T. C. Beirne took up a partnership with a Mr Piggot in Brisbane, coming together to form a drapery store in Stanley Street.  However after a fire ripped through the store in 1889 the partnership was dissolved and Beirne went on to bigger and better things.

After establishing a small store in Fortitude Valley, Beirne was once again offered the opportunity to join in a partnership this time with a Scottish gentleman by the name of James McWirther.  Together they operated a business in the Valley, a major shopping precinct in the 1890s.  After three years however, James McWirther decided to open a rival store prompting serious competition for Beirne, who at this point in time had just opened his first small T. C. Beirne’s store in the town of Ipswich.

In the early 1900s Ipswich was home to several large apartment stores including a now bigger and better Beirne’s store which was upsized and rebuilt in 1902 on the corner of Nicholas and Union Streets. T.C. Beirne’s department store in Ipswich sold a number of everyday items including: men’s, women’s and children’s hats, shoes, shirts, trousers and skirts as well as crockery, cooking pots and pans, books, manchester, suitcases and much more. Over time the department store became a family business after Beirne’s brother Mick set up a store in Mackay. However a cyclone destroyed the windows of the store in 1918, forcing Mick’s family to move to Ipswich where he and his four sons were able to take charge of the stores in Ipswich, renaming the business in 1919 –  ”Beirne’s Limited of Ipswich and Mackay – the house of the People”

T.C. Beirne building and staff – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

Information taken from “Ipswich in the 20th Century” by Robyn Buchanan and “Beirne, Thomas Charles” by the Australian Dictionary of Biography (online).

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Posted By janetteh on February 28, 2012

Gardens in Coyne Street, Leichhardt, 1960 – image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

The people in the City of Ipswich have always loved growing plants and have taken pride in their gardens. As you can see from the photograph above, that despite droughts, frosts, storms and heat, some residents have still managed to achieve beautiful results over the years.

Ipswich has the oldest horticultural society in Queensland. The first meeting for the formation of an agricultural society was on March 14, 1866. At this meeting the Ipswich Agricultural and Horticultural Society was established. Governor Blackall was installed as Patron and Colonel C G Gray (Police Magistrate) was installed as President. The first exhibition was held in the School of Arts and in the show yards in East Street on 17 December 1868. The Ipswich Horticultural Society is still a thriving society today, which put on a spring show and an autumn show every year in the Ipswich City Square.

The Ipswich City Council have provided the City with many Parks and Reserves that can be used for recreation and activities such as canoeing and bushwalking. Every year the Ipswich City Council also provide its residents with a free plant program to promote a greener, more healthier lifestyle.

Information taken from - ”Play with Flowers and Smile – a short history of the Ipswich Horticultural Society 1866 – 2004″ by Margaret Cook & Ian Pullar, 2005

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Tags: flowers, Gardens, Ipswich horticultural Society, parks, recreation, shows

Posted By erin on February 21, 2012

The Viva Cribb Bursary Program gives residents of Ipswich over 18 years of age the opportunity to apply for funding to assist with the cost of documenting, recording or publishing a “significant aspect of the local history of Ipswich”. The bursary was established in honour of Miss Viva Cribb who was dedicated to preserving the history of this city and also to encourage the community to explore Ipswichs’ historical significance.

Applicants of the Viva Cribb Bursary could be in with a chance to recieve funding of up to $5,000 towards the research, documentation and publishing process. Applications opened on the 16th of January 2012 and close on the 2nd of March 2012. For more information or to apply for the Viva Cribb Bursary, simply contact the Digital Archivist on (07) 3810 7272 or visit the Ipswich City Council website at http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/community/grants_sponsorships/viva_cribb_bursary/.

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Posted By erin on February 14, 2012

As a resident of Ipswich, Ray Jones could have been considered somewhat of a pioneer considering the great lengths he went to, to create a personal job and niche for himself within the Ipswich community. As a boy Ray Jones grew up watching his Father, Will Jones, pursue his career with the Ipswich City Vice Regal Band. Although Ray was interested in joining the band it was not to be and instead he developed a a singing career with ABC and often performed on the Ipswich radio station 4IP where he also hosted a literary talk show twice a week.  

This all occured during a time when there was little opportunity in Ipswich with relation to employment and when money was scarce and hard to come by. After completing his senior schooling with the Christian Brothers, Ray Jones had little success finding permanent work within Ipswich and found himself freelancing for the Queensland Times and working for Beirnes Ltd. After many hard months he decided to create his own employment opportunites.

An idea had occured to him after seeing an article in a women’s magazine which described the story of a gentleman who started his own ‘travelling library’, and there Ray Jones’ story begins. So, he set off with a port of books on his bicycle, riding around Ipswich looking for borrowers for his books. At this time in Ipswich the Municipal library charged all residents fees when borrowing books from within the collection, which many could not afford to pay. It was no surprise then that after time Ray realised that a larger more practical mode of transport was needed and he purchased a truck. It soon became clear however that this still was not adequate for the people of Ipswich and Ray soon found himself buying and occupying the top floor of the National Bank Building, operating a sucessful and popular library for the residents of Ipswich.

The Ray Jones Library was open every day until 8 o’clock, except Sundays and as readership grew so did the collection and soon he had a staff of six girls working for him. Advertising and cleaniness was the key to a well used collection according to Ray Jones and he prided himself on the appearance of his many books. As well as lending he also sold books to Schools and imported books for Universities within the area.

Ray Jones said that books were his life and that he knew what the people of Ipswich wanted to read. “They loved to read, they enjoyed their reading” he said. So this month when you borrow a book from the Ipswich Library, think of Ray Jones and his amazing contribution to Ipswich – The City of Readers.

Ray Jones – The Lover of Books (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich )

Information taken from “Ray Jones – Singer and Library Owner” an interview by Robyn Buchanan (1995)

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Tags: 4IP Radio, books, Ipswich, Ray Jones

Posted By erin on January 24, 2012

Australia Day is a time to remember what it means to be Australian and to celebrate the wonderful country in which we live . It was not until 1935 that all states and territories within Australia marked January 26th as “Australia Day” and even then it wasn’t until 1994 that Australia Day was made a public holiday and celebrated regularly. Today on Australia Day we come together to reflect on the past, look to the future and commemorate the country’s rich cultural diversity.

This year, Ipswich will commemorate Australia Day with a Family Fun Day being held at the Bundamba, Goodna, Rosewood and Leichhardt Aquatic Centres from 10:00am until 4:00pm, with free entry to all pools and prizes to be won for the first 500 entries. Come and join the fun festivities with your fellow Australians!

Australia Day celebration at ANZAC Park, Rosewood 1990 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

Information taken from The Queensland Times “Take time to remember what it means to be an Australian” and australiaday.org.au.

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