Ipswich has celebrated another busy week of community events, with thousands of residents attending activities ranging from bird exhibitions and classic car displays to business celebrations and sporting presentations.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding reflected on a series of successful events that showcased the diversity of interests and community spirit across the city.
One of the standout events was the second annual Ipswich Festival of Feathers, held at the Marburg Showgrounds. The festival attracted hundreds of bird enthusiasts from across Queensland and featured more than 400 birds on display.
The event included a judged bird exhibition as well as a marketplace where breeders and enthusiasts could buy and sell birds, feed, cages, accessories and other aviary-related products.
Mayor Harding said the festival highlighted the passion and dedication of the region’s bird-keeping community.
“It was lovely to see so many people come together,” she said.
Visitors were able to view a wide variety of birds, including Australian and foreign finches, parrots, canaries, budgies and lovebirds. Organised by the Ipswich and District Bird Club, the event drew participants from throughout Queensland and provided an opportunity for breeders and hobbyists to share knowledge and celebrate their achievements.
The Mayor noted that while the festival may be considered a niche event, it demonstrated the importance of supporting a wide range of community interests.
“People have a lot of pride in their birds and enjoy catching up, swapping stories and sharing their knowledge,” she said.
The celebrations continued on Sunday with the annual Muscle in Maculata car show at Immaculate Park in Riverview. Now in its tenth year, the event attracted more than 1,000 attendees and featured over 100 vehicles, including classic cars, muscle cars, vintage vehicles and motorbikes.
Hosted by the Riverview Neighbourhood Watch Group, the event has become a popular fixture on the Ipswich calendar and continues to grow each year.
Mayor Harding said demand was so strong that organisers had to find additional space to accommodate all the vehicles that turned up on the day. Alongside the vehicle displays, visitors enjoyed market stalls, food vendors, a petting zoo, free rides and family-friendly entertainment.
Ipswich City Council provided $6,700 in funding support for the event, helping cover attractions including the petting zoo and climbing activities. The Mayor said the event not only brought the community together but also provided valuable exposure for local businesses and community groups.
The city also took time to celebrate a significant business milestone, with the Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce marking its 120th anniversary.
The Chamber is recognised as Queensland’s oldest continuously operating chamber of commerce and the second oldest in Australia. The milestone was celebrated at Stony Creek Brewing Company, located in the heritage-listed former TAFE building in Ipswich.
Mayor Harding said the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the history of business in the region and the role local enterprises have played in shaping Ipswich’s growth.
Despite ongoing challenges associated with cost-of-living pressures and reduced consumer spending, she said Ipswich businesses continue to benefit from the city’s rapid population growth and strong economic development.
“We have two very strong chambers in Ipswich, including the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and that’s good for businesses and the wider community because it supports jobs and economic growth,” she said.
The week concluded with celebrations at the Ipswich and District Athletics Club annual presentation evening, where athletes were recognised for their achievements over the past season. Mayor Harding attended alongside Councillor Marnie Doyle and said it was notable that several award recipients were unable to attend because they were competing interstate or overseas.
The presentation night also highlighted ongoing efforts to secure a synthetic athletics track for Ipswich. Mayor Harding said council continues to work closely with state and federal representatives to pursue funding opportunities for the project.
“We don’t currently have a synthetic athletics track in Ipswich, and it’s something we’re continuing to advocate strongly for,” she said.
From bird breeders and car enthusiasts to business leaders and elite athletes, the week’s events highlighted the diverse interests that make up the Ipswich community and demonstrated the strong volunteer and community spirit that continues to drive the city forward.
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