Exhibitions
Ipswich at War and the Home Front 1914-1918
This display was made possible through a Centenary of Anzac grant from the Queensland State Government. With the funds a curator and a sign maker were employed to ensure the content of the display was meaningful and relevant. A replica uniform from the Light Brigade was also purchased, along with a mannequin and two display cabinets.
The Society had been donated three honour boards for servicemen in WW1 and these were included in the display. A further grant was obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase an interactive screen kiosk. Research on the names shown on the honour boards has been made available for people to search, together with photos where available.
Women raising funds and making biscuits, cakes, warm socks, balaclavas and gloves at home, and those who volunteered to support troops overseas are also represented in this display.
Further to this exhibit, a grant from the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) enabled the Society to employ Ipswich company Tangible Media to produce a video of a re-enactment of the Light Horse Brigade. View the video here.
Cooneana Homestead
More displays are to be found in Cooneana Homestead, a building character listed for its unique construction of vertical slabs raised up on stumps. The first part of the home was built in 1868 by Samuel Pearson Welsby and later added to. He worked over 500 acres of land of which only five are now attached to the homestead.
It is in its original position and the site has been named Cooneana Heritage Centre in recognition of this fact. Descendants of the Welsby family lived in the house until the early 1970s, but you can find out much more by visiting and touring the homestead for yourself.
Queensland Times newspaper
The Queensland Times served the Ipswich area for over 160 years, beginning as the Ipswich Herald in 1859, then the name was changed to the Queensland Times in 1861. The print edition of the paper was the first port of call for Ipswichians wanting to find out about local news, council decisions, events, court appearances, sport, weddings, funerals and to find a tradesperson. The print edition was closed in June 2020. Locals now have a digital edition only.
It was a sad occasion when the offices of the paper were closed, but the Ipswich Historical Society were delighted to be donated photos and some editions of the newspaper to preserve. A display was put together as a result.