Convicts & Colonials: Colonial (New South Wales) Government

Separation
By 1850 some residents of Ipswich were agitating for separation from New South Wales due to an increase in resentment of being governed by people in Sydney. Reverend Dr. John Dunmore Lang held meetings in Ipswich and John Panton and Dr. Challinor proposed that a petition be sent to Queen Victoria.  

Nearly 10 years of meetings, petitions and arguments followed. Many people of Moreton Bay wanted the Richmond and Clarence Rivers districts included in the new colony which they thought should be named "Cooksland".

 

Finally in 1859, news was received that Queen Victoria had created a new colony which she named "Queensland". Sir George Bowen, the first Governor, arrived in Brisbane on 10th December, 1859 and this is taken as the date on which separation was achieved.

Source: Five Days at Claremont

Governor Bowen's first visit to Ipswich

On Tuesday 20th December 1859, Governor George Ferguson Bowen, accompanied by his wife Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, set off for Ipswich, on the overland route at 10 0'clock.  The Bowen's had arrived in Brisbane ten days earlier, proclaiming the new Colony of Queensland amid much fanfare.

Recent rain had laid the dust upon the roads and the Bowens, with Colonial Secretary Sir Robert Herbert, found the journey pleasant, with the country on either side looking green and fresh.  The vice-regal party made it to the residence of Mr Faircloth, Booval House, to partake of refreshment and provide an opportunity for Governor Bowen to change into his uniform. 

As the journey into Ipswich resumed a hearty cheer was made by the crowd gathering at Booval House, to escort the Bowens and the Colonial Secretary the remaining distance into Ipswich.   More than 400 people were estimated to have come out to view the Colony's first Governor, with numbers increasing the closer the party came to the limestone ridge that is Limestone Hill.  Mounted police led the procession, followed by the official carriage and next an assortment of carriages, dogcarts, mounted riders, and those on foot.

The procession went down Brisbane Street, before turning into East Street, towards the river, along Bell Street to re-join Brisbane Street, and finally on to East Street.  Balconies and windows were crowded with 'gaily dressed and enthusiastic spectators and the footways were lined with multitudes of loyal citizens.'  Flags were hoisted and a large banner stretched across Brisbane Street, reading "Welcome our Governor".

In East Street, the procession paused outside Colonial Charles Gray's residence for Lady Bowen to alight and rest.  Governor Bowen was escorted onto the Club-house to address the hundreds gathered below.  In the evening the Governor and his party dined with members of the Club.  Later in the evening, a ball was given in honour of Lady Bowen at Colonel Gray's house, attended by the elite of Ipswich and the neighbourhood.

The following morning, at 10 o'clock, the Governor was escorted to the Courthouse to receive the address of the inhabitants of Ipswich, read by John Panton:

To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Knight, Commander of the Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the colony of Queensland.

The address of the inhabitants of Ipswich and its vicinity.

We think it right, on your Excellency's first visit to our town, to meet your Excellency with our hearty congratulations on the arrival of yourself and Lady Bowen in Queensland.

In thus congratulating your Excellency, we think we should fail in our duty were we not to express our devoted attachment to the person and government of her Most Gracious Majesty , of whom your Excellency is the representative, and to assure your Excellency personally of our good wishes.

Another ball was held that evening, at George Thorn's new budling, with 'rooms fitted up in a very tasteful style'.  The Bowens departed the following morning for Brisbane, this time traveling on the Breadalbane steamer, returning to Government House shortly after three o'clock that afternoon.