Sally Hetherington - Digital Archivist & Picture Ipswich Volunteer

Sally was the Picture Ipswich Digital Archivist from 2007 until her retirement in 2018.  Realising she could not stay away from the photos she loved working with, Sally soon returned as a Picture Ipswich volunteer.  Sally is an active member of the Ipswich Genealogical Society, and represents Ipswich Historical Society on The Ipswich Heritage Network Group.  Sally is also a member of Ipswich Mini Crafters, a group of miniature enthusiasts who have been recreating iconic Ipswich buildings and businesses in miniature to display at various events and locations around the city.

Reta Hastings, Ipswich, 1918

This image has always captured my imagination.  Taken in 1918 the quality of the colour (tinted) still amazed me.

Staff and Show-goers at the R T Edwards & Sons washing machine display, Ipswich Show, Ipswich, 1958

The site has 100s of images from the Ipswich Show, many from the Whitehead Collection. These images showing the latest in kitchen appliances and white goods from R T Edwards,  in 1958,  depicts the importance of the Show for showing the local business wares and the ‘new’ trends in kitchen appliances.

Universal Street Directory for Ipswich City and suburbs, 1958

This Street directory from 1958 is a gold mine for those searching their family history or history of Ipswich.  Not only do you find a list of families and their addresses, the advertising gives an informative glimpse of Ipswich after WWII and the building boom.

Desmond Stirling as King George VI, and Ailsa Duce portraying Queen Elizabeth, for Bundamba State School, coronation re-enactment, Ipswich, 1937

This image captured my attention, the work involved in making these costumes for these students is amazing.  Go on the site to see more images from this celebration.

People waiting to watch 'Blue Fin', Wintergarden Theatre, Ipswich, 1979

‘Blue Fin’ was a huge success as an Australian film and the Wintergarden was the place to see all the movies in the 1970s.

Advertising slide of the Blue Star Service Station, Warrego Highway, Blacksoil, Ipswich, 1959

This slide was an advert used at the Wintergarden.  I am not a local, but when I arrived in Ipswich in the 1970s, I was told the ‘Blue Star’ was the place to go for the best hamburgers. (Have never tasted a better one!) 

4IP 'Big Stir' music festival, Ipswich, 1972

I don’t think we realise how important 4IP was in the history of Ipswich.  It was there for all the major events of the 1940s through to the 1970s.  Watch the Picture Ipswich Chasing Our Past video presented by Ashley Jones to hear the history of this radio station.