Whybirds

In 1857 at the age of 22, John Whybird emigrated to Australia from England.  He made his way to Ipswich and began working as a drayman for the firm of Hassel & Ogg in Bell Street. (This site is where the now disused Ipswich Transit Centre is.)  John carried goods from the Bremer River wharves to the firm’s store, and also delivered goods from the store. When the firm closed down, John received the horse and dray in lieu of wages and started his own business as a “for hire” drayman. The business had contracts with the railways and Queensland Woollen Mills.

John's son Henry (also known as Harry) took over the business in 1905 when John died.

Two of Henry's sons, Jack and Harry, worked for the family company. Allan Whybird, another of Henry’s sons returned from service with the AIF in Borneo to manage the business in 1946. In 1951 the company purchased a Ford truck to do the carrying and they began to specialise in furniture removal. Allan managed Whybirds for 30 years. 

In 1958 the firm had been established 100 years and were located at 6 East Street. 

Allan's son Royston inherited the firm in 1984 and his daughter Sheree became the fifth generation of the Whybird family to work the family business over its 140 years as a family affair.

In 1997 the business was sold to family friend Frank Aspinall who chose to keep the Whybird’s name, however he has moved into international transport. This business is located at 120 Briggs Rd, Ipswich QLD 4305.