Shaping Our Identity: Local Government

Ipswich was proclaimed a municipality in the Queensland Government Gazette on the 3rd of March 1860, and just six days later, a notice appeared in the Queensland Government Gazette stating that the Corporation "Shall consist of a Mayor and Aldermen".

At noon on Thursday, the 12th of April 1860, people gathered in the Court House for the election of the first aldermen and auditors of the Ipswich Municipal Council. The Moreton Bay Courier of 14th April 1860 reported on the proceedings. The returning officer, Mr. Buckley led the proceedings and drew attention to two clauses of the act:

first - to nominate nine persons for aldermen, and two for auditors; the second - that no person should hold office without he posses the qualification of an elector. He (Mr. B.) then said that he looked upon this as one of the most important events that occurred in Ipswich, and believed that they would rejoice at a future time that they had ever applied for a municipality, and that they would find the act one of the most beneficial that had ever been brought into existence.

At the poll held on the 19th April, nine men were voted in as aldermen, they were:

• John Murphy
• John Johnston
• Charles Watkins
• Donald Bethune
• Christopher Gorry
• J. M. Thompson
• John Pettigrew
• Francis North
• Thomas Stanley

The Moreton Bay Courier on 26th April 1860 noted that the candidates were called upon to address the meeting.

Mr. Murphy then rose amidst loud and prolonged cheering, and said:- Gentlemen, you must excuse my being brief in my remarks on this occasion, as I cannot go into anything respecting duties of office. You have placed me in a very honorable position, but it is a position which I fully anticipated. I am perfectly aware that the duties devolving upon me, and those acting with me, are very onerous - the arranging the machinery necessary, and carrying out the working of it, will involve a deal of trouble, but I shall act fearlessly and independently, as I have hitherto done, and I have only again to thank you for the position you have given me.

The results of the election were declared on Saturday, 21st April 1860 at the Ipswich Court House. The first meeting of the newly elected officials was held in the Court House on the 23rd April. The business of the day was a declaration by the aldermen as required under the Municipalities Act and the election of the first Mayor of City. John Murphy was unanimously elected Mayor.

Initial works of the Municipal Council included surveying and levelling roads in the inner town area, acquiring funds to meet financial requirements, care of the wharves near the Bremer River, leasing a ferry service, setting property values, building toll gates, establishing a fire brigade, providing a water supply, and street lighting.

Mayors of Ipswich 1860s-1870s
1860-1861  John Murphy
1862             John Johnston
1863             Francis North
1864             John Pettigrew
1865-1867  John Murphy
1868             Henry Caleb Williams
1869             Harry Hooper
1870             James Foote
1871-1872  Samuel Shenton
1873-1874  Thomas Campbell Pryde
1875             Robert Tallon
1876             John Macfarlane
1877             Charles Frederick Chubb
1878-1879  Josiah Francis