Ipswich is preparing to sparkle this festive season, with the return of the city’s popular Christmas Lights Competition, while local artists, sporting stars and a historic Queensland appointment have also been celebrated.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s weekly Ipswich City Council update, Mayor Teresa Harding encouraged residents to embrace the Christmas spirit, support local creativity and celebrate the achievements of the city’s sporting community.
From thousands of dollars in Christmas competition prizes to an exhibition exploring the beauty of nature, there is plenty happening across Ipswich as the year draws to a close.
Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition returns with $11,000 prize pool
The annual City of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition is returning, with residents, businesses and community organisations encouraged to transform their properties into festive displays.
Mayor Harding said the competition had become a much-loved tradition for families across the region.
“It’s time for listeners to dig out their Christmas decorations and deck the halls for the annual City of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition,” Cr Harding said.
“The competition brings out stunning displays of festive lights on homes and businesses right across the city.”
The competition features five categories:
- Best Residential
- Best Business or Organisation
- Best Street
- Best New Entry
- People’s Choice
There is an impressive $11,000 in cash and prizes available across the competition.
Mayor Harding said she particularly wanted to encourage first-time entrants who might feel intimidated by some of the city’s more elaborate displays.
“I know that when people first start out, they can get a bit daunted by seeing some of the other people, but we do have a category which is Best New Entry,” she said.
“So if it’s your first time entering, I really encourage you to put your home up.”
The Mayor said driving around Ipswich to admire Christmas lights was one of the highlights of the festive season for many families.
“I know when it’s Christmas time, Ipswich families love driving around and seeing all the beautiful Christmas lights out there as well,” she said.
Winners will be announced on Friday, December 11, during the opening night of the city’s Christmas light display at the St Nicholas Precinct.
Residents can find competition details and further information at christmasinipswich.com.au.
Christmas colouring competition brings festive fun to local children
Young Ipswich residents are also being invited to get creative through the Mayor’s Christmas colouring competition.
Mayor Harding said the popular initiative continued to attract growing interest from local schools and families.
A new category, Best Use of Colour, has been introduced this year to provide another opportunity for children to receive recognition.
“We’ve added a new category this year, Best Use of Colour, so just trying to get a few more prizes out there to the kids,” Cr Harding said.
The Mayor said the competition was a wonderful way to involve children in the city’s Christmas celebrations.
“It’s really popular. We get more and more entries, which is really great to see,” she said.
She also expressed hope that additional schools would participate this year.
Soft Territories exhibition opens at Ipswich Art Gallery
Away from the Christmas celebrations, a new exhibition at Ipswich Art Gallery is inviting visitors to slow down and appreciate the quieter moments of life.
Soft Territories, featuring the work of artists Mel Sinclair and Sue Gordon, has opened at the Community Art Gallery.
The exhibition explores themes of peace, stillness and the subtle connections between nature and people.
Mayor Harding described the exhibition as a beautiful and thoughtful collection of work.
“It explores the themes of peace, stillness and quieter moments that you can find in nature and people,” she said.
The exhibition features a diverse range of artistic techniques and materials, including photography, handmade paper, rust, drawing and mixed media.
“It’s a beautiful exhibition, a very subtle exhibition,” Cr Harding said.
Both artists received support through the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership involving the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council.
Mayor Harding said the funding demonstrated the importance of supporting local creative talent and providing opportunities for artists to showcase their work.
Soft Territories is open until Sunday, November 8, at the Ipswich Art Gallery’s Community Art Gallery.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to experience the exhibition before it closes.
Ipswich Mayor attends historic swearing-in of Queensland Governor
Mayor Harding also represented Ipswich at the swearing-in ceremony for Queensland’s 28th Governor, Justice Thomas Bradley.
The ceremony was held at Parliament House, with the Mayor attending alongside her husband, Steve.
Cr Harding said it was an honour to represent the city at such an important occasion.
“It was an honour to represent our city to attend this swearing-in of the 28th Governor of Queensland, Justice Thomas Bradley,” she said.
She described the appointment as an important moment in Queensland’s history.
Mayor Harding said the Governor played a significant role in representing Queenslanders and strengthening connections with communities throughout the state.
She reflected on previous vice-regal visits to Ipswich, including attendance at local festivals and visits following major flooding events.
The Mayor said those visits were particularly meaningful for residents who had experienced hardship.
“When the Governor comes around, it’s a great highlight for Ipswich,” she said.
Cr Harding also recently attended a farewell event for the previous Governor, where the importance of Australia’s democratic traditions was discussed.
She said the peaceful transfer of power within Australia’s Westminster system was something Queenslanders should value.
The Mayor expressed hope that the new Governor would continue building strong relationships with regional communities, including Ipswich.
Ipswich Sports Awards celebrate local sporting excellence
Ipswich’s sporting community has also been recognised through the annual Ipswich Sports Awards, held last Thursday evening.
The awards celebrated outstanding achievements by athletes, coaches and sporting organisations across the city.
Mayor Harding thanked everyone who submitted nominations and helped recognise the people contributing to local sport.
“Can I thank everyone who nominated people for the sports awards, from young and old athletes through to coaches and sporting organisations?” she said.
“It means a lot to the people that receive those awards.”
The ceremony showcased an impressive range of sporting disciplines, including athletics, swimming, hockey, boxing, wrestling, Australian rules football and basketball.
Mayor Harding said the diversity of nominees and winners highlighted the strength of Ipswich’s sporting community.
She was particularly impressed by the number of talented young athletes recognised during the evening.
“We have incredible talent coming up through the ranks, and I won’t be surprised if we have quite a few people who will be Games athletes or para-athletes in 2032,” she said.
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, Mayor Harding believes Ipswich has a promising generation of athletes who could represent Australia on the international stage.
She congratulated all finalists and winners and wished local sporting organisations success as they prepared for their 2027 seasons.
A busy finish to the year for Ipswich
With Christmas celebrations approaching, new exhibitions attracting visitors and local athletes receiving recognition, Mayor Harding said there was plenty for Ipswich residents to enjoy and celebrate.
The Mayor encouraged families to get involved in the Christmas Lights Competition, support the city’s artists and continue recognising the achievements of local sporting clubs and community organisations.
For more information about upcoming Christmas events, visit Christmas in Ipswich.
Information about council programs, exhibitions and community activities is also available at ipswich.qld.gov.au.
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