Becoming A City: Community Life

People living in Ipswich at the turn of the twentieth century saw many changes in their homes and in their city. The first motor car "horseless carriage" arrived on the scene and in 1907 and the first motor bike in Ipswich was purchased by Joe McCarthy. The motoring craze led to the formation of a number of events and clubs including the Ipswich and West Moreton Motor Cycle Club and the establishment of a motor bus company in Ipswich.

Music drew people together with bands and choirs being an important part of Ipswich life. Bands included the Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band, Hancock's Band, the Model Band, Railway Workshops Band and the Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band. Choirs in the early twentieth century were the Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir, Silkstone Male Choir, Silkstone-Booval Choral union and the Apollo Club. Social life often revolved around local churches and schools both in the city and in the rural areas. Fetes, concerts, balls and dances were important social occasions, and most churches also had sports clubs, youth clubs and musical groups.

Events such as the Boer War, the conflict between Japan and Russia which took place just to the north in 1905, and World War I, had made Australia more aware of the possible need for defence. In 1911, universal military training was introduced by the Federal Government, with cadet units established at some secondary schools. Many Ipswich men, particularly from the coal mines and Railway Workshops, were in the Army Reserve which was called up in early August. Other local men decided to volunteer, and batches of recruits were soon leaving Ipswich by train for Army Camp.

"On October 14 1918, residents of Ipswich were awakened at 4am by the sound of bells, sirens and factory whistles. The reason was a headline in the local paper: “Germany Caves In.” This was not the official end of the war, but peace was now assured. On November 11 at 7pm, news was received in Ipswich that the Armistice was about to be signed and the town went wild. Bells rang, all the bands of the city gathered and played in the streets and at the exact moment of signing, a hooter was sounded. The following day was declared a public holiday and a peace celebration was held in Queens Park. [1]

Help us to discover and reveal the untold stories of Ipswich.  Leave a recollection and upload photographs to help build the collection.