Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has praised the strength of local community groups, volunteers and service organisations after a busy long weekend and a series of events showcasing the generosity of Ipswich residents.
Cr Harding said one of the standout examples was the work of the Greater Springfield Rotary Club, which has spent the past 12 months fundraising for a local family following a serious accident involving their three-year-old son, Cade.
Cade lost his foot as a result of the accident and has since undergone 16 surgeries. The situation also placed significant pressure on the family, with his mother needing to take extended time away from work.
The Rotary Club raised more than $35,000 for the family and also helped provide a new lawnmower for their property.
Cr Harding said the effort showed how strongly Ipswich residents rally around people in need.
She thanked everyone who had supported the fundraiser, whether by volunteering, buying raffle tickets, cooking sausages or contributing in other ways.
The Mayor also reflected on the broader work of Rotary after attending a Rotary District conference on the Gold Coast, where local and regional members came together to share ideas and plan future community projects.
Cr Harding said Rotary clubs continue to play an important role in supporting families, local causes and community wellbeing.
She also acknowledged the contribution of local churches after attending the Australian Christian Churches Brisbane West Regional Pastors Breakfast.
Cr Harding said pastors and church communities often provide support behind the scenes during some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives.
She said local churches also play a major role in community celebrations, including Easter and Christmas events, with many of the city’s Christmas carols organised by church groups and supported by council.
Ipswich City Council also continues to recognise the role of faith communities through the long-standing tradition of opening ordinary council meetings with a prayer from local pastors and faith leaders.
Meanwhile, council’s Active and Healthy Program is continuing to grow in popularity, particularly the free aqua fitness classes at Orion Lagoon.
The classes have grown from around 40 participants a week last year to more than 100 participants a week, prompting residents to petition for the program to be expanded.
Cr Harding recently attended one of the classes and said it was a great example of an activity that supports both physical health and social connection.
She said the 45-minute sessions were especially useful for people looking for low-impact exercise, including those with sore knees, back issues or mobility concerns.
The Mayor said the social side of the program was just as important, with many participants staying afterwards to catch up over coffee.
Cr Harding encouraged residents to explore council’s Active and Healthy Program, which includes free and low-cost activities across Ipswich, including outdoor recreation, wellbeing programs, healthy eating sessions and nutrition activities for people of different ages and abilities.
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