Peta Downes - Historian & PhD Candidate

Peta Downes completed her Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in 2019 which focused on the Social Significance of Corner Stores in Ipswich, Qld. Recently she has been working on research into the childhood memories of post-second world war every-day and vernacular buildings in Ipswich, Queensland.

Gardens in Coyne Street, One Mile, Ipswich, 1963
I love the colour in this photo. The lack of established trees and no front fences to conceal the houses allowed for a larger view of the streetscape and increased interaction between neighbours. Such beautiful gardens also saw visitors from other parts of Ipswich coming to view them and helped to develop a feeling of pride within the city.

Merritt's Handy Store, corner Samford Road and Gilmore Street, Leichhardt, Ipswich, 1956-1957

This image is the embodiment of a corner store from the advertising adorning its façade to the bicycle leaning against the seat and the dog lounging out in front. Corner stores not only offer important aesthetic and tangible heritage aspects, but they are also sites of immense social significance. Corner stores, although smaller and thought of as perhaps more mundane sites in relation to other heritage buildings, are places that reflect the lives of people in their communities.

Children playing with hose and galvanised washing tub, backyard Alice Street, Blackstone early 1950s

Before air-conditioning and backyard swimming pools became the norm on hot summer days, one of the best ways to cool off was under the hose. In the days before the implementation of water restrictions, this was also a good way for parents to get their children out of the house. It also gave the added bonus of watering the lawn!

Dorothy Street, Silkstone, Ipswich, 1961

Another image of children playing with a hose. This image shows that cooling down and having fun in this way continued across generations. Whether from the same family or neighbourhood friends, these interactions established strong social ties, which are essential for the formation of a child’s feeling of belonging.

Thought to be a display house for Wunderlich products, Toowoomba Road, Brassall, Ipswich, 1959

This house shows the changing architecture of the time. Long gone were the wide verandas of the Queenslander, these compact homes made use of the materials and styles of the time to provide family homes during the period when there was a shortage of affordable and suitable housing.

Unidentified group of children, at birthday party, Ipswich, 1948

One never forgets the excitement of getting dressed up to attend a birthday party. Wearing your best clothes, your best shoes, and hair neatly held in place with ribbons, bows or hair cream. You were on your very best behaviour, at least in the beginning. I like how this photo contrasts with a photo in the 21^st century, especially with the child in front proudly holding a gun!