Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has highlighted a busy period for the city, celebrating major community events, cultural initiatives and new digital access to historic council records.
Fun Run Raises Funds and Community Spirit
The mayor recently took part in the Chicks in Pink Fun Run at Springfield, a five-kilometre event that drew more than 2,000 participants in support of breast cancer awareness.
Cr Harding said the sold-out event was filled with community spirit, with participants walking or running while dressed in bright pink outfits, sunglasses and tutus.
“It was wonderful to see so many people out supporting such an important cause,” she said.
Record Attendance at Creators Summit
Ipswich’s annual Creators Summit also proved a major success, attracting more than 300 attendees from the local arts and creative industries.
The summit featured guest speakers including Australian indie-pop musician Ben Lee, opera performer Tim McCallum and country-folk artist Damien J Johnson.
Cr Harding said the event was designed to connect artists, performers and creative professionals while exploring ways to strengthen Ipswich’s cultural identity as the city continues to grow.
“With our population expected to double over the next 20 years, it’s important we think about how arts and culture shape our city,” she said.
Historic Council Records Go Digital
History enthusiasts can now access Ipswich’s earliest council meeting records online, with minutes dating from 1860 to 1893 now available through the Picture Ipswich digital archive.
The initiative was launched to coincide with the city’s 166th birthday and will eventually include digitised records up to 1905.
Council is also seeking volunteers to help transcribe the handwritten minutes, making them searchable for researchers and the public.
Major Events Continue to Boost Local Economy
The mayor also confirmed council support for two of the city’s biggest annual sporting events.
Up to $50,000 has been allocated to support the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 at Queensland Raceway, while $25,000 will support the Ipswich Cup horse racing carnival.
Cr Harding said the events attract large crowds and generate significant tourism revenue for the region, including thousands of overnight stays.
“These events are hugely important for our hospitality and tourism sectors and help promote Ipswich on a national stage,” she said.
Ipswich will also continue to host major cultural events throughout the year, including the city’s Spark Festival in July, aimed at boosting visitor numbers during quieter tourism periods.
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