Back to Limestone - Ipswich History Conference

The RHSQ's major conference for 2026 - Back to Limestone. Enjoy a day of high quality talks on the history of Ipswich.
About this Event

Info

This conference is being jointly convened by the RHSQ and the Ipswich Historical Society to commemorate the bicentenary of the first European settlement in the region in 1826/1827. It is believed that this locality was first visited by Commandant Logan in late 1826 and in 1827 he sent a continent of soldiers and convicts to begin extracting limestone from Ipswich for the construction of buildings in Brisbane.

The conference will take place in the Dandiiri Room at 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich.

Programme

PLEASE NOTE: This programme is subject to change as the details of the event are ironed out.

First Session: 9.10 - 10.45
Chair: Stephen Sheaffe AM

1. Lynda Maybanks: Welcome to Country & The Indigenous Peoples of Ipswich
2. Pat Comben: Logan in Ipswich, 1826 or 1827?
3. Roger Ford: Commandant Logan

Morning tea: 10.30 - 11.00

Second Session: 11.00 - 12.30

Welcome by Mayor Teresa Harding.

Chair: Hugh Taylor

1. Hugh Taylor: Coal Mining in Ipswich
2. David Hamill: Glimpses of Early Ipswich through the Eyes of my Ancestors
3. Greg Hallam: Railway in Ipswich

Lunch: 12.30 - 1.00 (SELF FUNDED)

Third Session: 1.00 - 2.30
Chair: Claire Moore

1. Michael Pick: Character Houses in Ipswich
2. Arthur Foote: The Cribb and Foote Family
3. Margaret Nicol: George Thorn Sr - The Father of Ipswich

Afternoon Tea: 2.30 - 2.50

Fourth Session: 2.50 - 4.15
Chair: Marnie Doyle

1. Darryl Low Choy: Colonial Military in Ipswich
2. Geoff Thompson: Bleak House, the House That Moved Twice
3. Heather Clark: The History of Dance in Ipswich - and the agreeable and rational recreation

Vote of Thanks by Hugh Taylor, President of the Ipswich Historical Society