The history of Ipswich as rarely heard before will be examined in the first public lecture to be held in The University of Queensland’s new Auditorium at Ipswich next week.
Author Alan Murray will provide an intriguing look at the how the coal mines of Ipswich and the West Moreton region helped to shape the early development of Queensland.
Mr Murray will present details that have previously been overlooked, and in many respects add to the notion of Ipswich being the Cinderella City.
“Ipswich has a history of toiling away, out of sight, given scant credit for the contribution its working people, coal company proprietors and families made to contemporary Queensland,” he said.
The extent of the Ipswich-West Moreton contribution to Queensland became increasingly apparent during the research and writing of Mr Murray’s most recent book, No Easy Field.
What emerged is the story of a community that was short-changed by Queensland’s political masters and captains of commerce.
UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Rix said UQ was pleased to host this public lecture and he encouraged the community to attend.
“Alan Murray has uncovered a side of Ipswich that few people are aware of, and in doing so, is looking to change the perception that the wider community has of Ipswich,” Professor Rix said.
The lecture will include details of the type of work local Ipswich people were involved in during this time, and the many difficulties faced by the author during his research, including poor record,s and in some cases lost records from earlier times.
The book also examines how communities are able to utilise their heritage in post-mining times.
Ipswich: Cinderella City will be held on Thursday, October 13 from 5pm at the all new UQ Ipswich Auditorium, Building 11, UQ Ipswich Campus, Salisbury Road Ipswich. No RSVP is required and free parking is available on campus for this event.
Media: Professor Alan Rix (3381 1002 or a.rix@uq.edu.au) or Jessica Freiberg (3381 1068 or j.freiberg@uq.edu.au).
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