Sunday Presentations
Tales of Haunted Ipswich by Jack Sim
Do you have a fascination for the unexplained or do you believe in ghosts? Did you know that Ipswich has a long history of hauntings and the unexplained? Historian Jack Sim does, and he has a passion for sharing tales about the dark past of the historic city of Ipswich. A prolific author of many books including “The History of Boggo Road Gaol” and “Bloody Brisbane: Crime and Murder in the River City”, Jack Sim will tell spine-chilling tales about ghostly encounters and paranormal activity in historic Ipswich landmarks. Not for the faint-hearted, come along with Jack on a fascinating journey through the dark history of Ipswich that will leave you intrigued, and wanting to know more.
You can meet and hear Jack at Cooneana Heritage Centre on Sunday 28 November 2021.
Complimentary morning tea will be provided from 10am, with the presentation beginning at 10.30am. For members of Ipswich Historical Society, the cost is $5.00, non-members $10.00, payable at the door. For catering purposes we ask that you email us your intention to come along by COB Friday 26 November.
Signed copies of Jack's book Haunted Ipswich Volume 1: Ghosts of The Heritage City will be available for purchase.
Please take some time afterwards to view our displays and explore our picturesque grounds, including our very own historic house, Cooneana Homestead, after Jack’s presentation. All ages are most welcome!
Dovercourt
Dovercourt is Brisbane's most unknown historic home, according to Harold Peacock, and the family that owned the home for 90 years has deep connections to Ipswich history. Come and here about this home and those who owned and lived in it on Sunday 24 October when our presenter will be Harold Peacock.
Harold is a well-travelled journalist, genealogist, archeologist and historian whose research has provided materials for articles, blogs and his website as well as his latest book: Dovercourt: Toowong's Hidden Treasure and Its People. He presents a history segment on West Bremer Radio each Saturday morning from 8am that you may have heard.
You can meet and hear Harold at Cooneana Heritage Centre on Sunday 24 October. Morning tea will be shared at 10am and the presentation will begin at 10.30am. Members of Ipswich Historical Society pay $5.00, non-members $10.00 at the door. You can take some time afterwards to view the displays and our own historic house, Cooneana Homestead, after the presentation.
For catering purposes we ask that you please email us if you are going to attend.
Captives of the Spanish Lady
On Sunday 25 July, Duncan Richardson will talk about the effects of the widespread outbreak of Spanish flu on the town of Tenterfield in 1919. The Queensland Government of the time closed the border with New South Wales overnight and many travellers were unable to return to Queensland as a result. Band members from Ipswich were caught in Tenterfield and Duncan will relate how the local folk managed the huge influx of people and how those at home in Queensland sent assistance. His book, Captives of the Spanish Lady, will be available to purchase at a discounted price.
Duncan's presentation begins at 10.30am. Tickets are $10 for non-members and $5 for members of Ipswich Historical Society. Morning tea will be served at 10am and time to enjoy the displays in Cooneana Heritage Centre is included in the ticket price. The Centre is open from 10am to 2pm.
If you are interested in coming along, please email us for catering purposes.
Porcelain Painting Demonstration
Ever wondered why rich ladies of old entertained visitors to tea and dinner so readily? Perhaps it was to show off their artistic talents by using tea and dinner sets they had painted themselves? Come along and find out how it was done!
On Sunday 22 August, Ipswich Historical Society invites you to watch one of Ipswich's local artists, Julie Maddocks, demonstrating the art of porcelain painting and talking about its history. The style of painting on porcelain as shown below is called 'French technique' and was popular with ladies of the time.
You can see examples of Julie's art in her gallery at 16 Jacob Street, Dinmore, 4303. She works with 'Art from the Heart' as her guiding principle and loves to incorporate natural themes in all she does.
Julie's demonstration will begin at 10.30am. Tickets are $10 for non-members and $5 for members of Ipswich Historical Society. Ticket prices include morning tea at 10am and time to look around Cooneana Heritage Centre as well as the demonstration.
Places are limited. If you will be attending please email us for catering purposes.
Presentation by Queensland Manx Society
Local members of the Manx Society with President, George Cowin - a descendant of a founding member of the Queensland Manx Society, established in 1914 - and members Anthony Ashworth, Maxwell Cain and David Baylis will talk about their links to the Isle of Man and how they keep those Celtic links alive in Australia on Sunday 26 September.
Tony Ashworth has always held a keen interest in history. He has gained knowledge, as both a resident and a tourist, of various countries and peoples around the world. Tony’s wife Val has Manx heritage, so it was not surprising that the history of the Isle of Man became a focus for delving into the interesting history of this unique island. The Isle of Man could not avoid the attentions of the seaborne travellers from Norway who sailed their longboats down this “marine super highway" that took in waters to the north and west of Scotland, the North Sea and Irish Sea all the way down to the longpoort of Waterford and beyond. There are many exciting stories to be told of the history of the Isle of Man. We have time for just a few.
Maxwell Cain is fourth generation Australian and has lived in Queensland for many years, but has never lost his love of the country life and of his early life as one of Victoria's oldest farming communities at Natte Yallock on the Avoca River in North Central Victoria. He would like to share the story of his family and of that pioneering era.
David Bayliss belongs to an Ipswich "Old Blood" pioneer line - Gilliver (pronounced with a "soft G" as in Jill), Pye, Taylor and Farmer.
David’s closest Manx-born ancestor is Mary-Ann Corlett who married John Thomas “JT” Pye. JT became a junior railway construction engineer under the guidance of James Gilliver – the engineer who was later tasked to construct the first line between Ipswich and Biggs Camp. Mary-Ann died at the ‘Glengallan Swamp Railway Camp’, leaving her eldest daughter to raise the family. Sadly her gravesite has been "lost". The family has always been proud of the pioneering "Manx spirit", with traditions and stories passed down through the generations. More stories will be told including a brief story of the Farmer family's business (State/Commercial Butchering) relocating to Queensland after a life-and-death encounter with the stock thieving Kelly gang.
'The Isle of Man, a Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea, is advertising for an Auditor General to ...... conduct value for money inspections on behalf of the Tynwald, which at over 1,000 years old is the oldest continuous parliament in the world.’ Author: ICAEW Insights Published: 02 Jun 2021
This ancient, self-governing island with its Celtic culture will be the basis of a fascinating presentation. Starting with morning tea at 10am, the presentation will begin at 10.30am.
Cost: $5 members of Ipswich Historical Society $10 non-members. Email your intention to attend please, for catering purposes, and pay at the door.
