Regal visitor returns to revitalised city
28 October 2020
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the Queensland Governor, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC back to Ipswich on Wednesday after their last meeting took place electronically during the COVID-19 restrictions in May.
Mayor Harding hosted the Governor at various official engagements including a briefing on local issues.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Governor to Ipswich, and to brief His Excellency on our region’s future direction and council initiatives,” Mayor Harding said.
“Our new council is committed to delivering value for the local community and to bringing transparency, integrity and good governance to the City of Ipswich.
“We have taken steps forward in our first six months in office, including over $2 million in support for local businesses and community organisations in the 2020/21 budget, and the launch of the Transparency and Integrity Hub on 1 July.”
The Governor was given a sneak peek behind the fence of the Nicholas Street Precinct civic plaza, now officially named Tulmur Place, along with a peek at the new library.
The $250 million Ipswich Central redevelopment is the biggest redevelopment of the Ipswich CBD since the 1980s.
Stage two of the project officially opens in late 2020 and the Governor was able to see the new look skyline as the new council administration building has reached its full height of nine storeys.
Mayor Harding spoke to the Governor about council’s plan to keep pace with the rapid expansion in this region and make sure the benefits would flow to the people of Ipswich.
“We are the fastest-growing local government area in Queensland, with our population growing by 4.1 per cent in 2018-19,” Mayor Harding said.
“We are a region of exporters, providing a total value of $4.9 billion every year, including $3.3 billion exported domestically and $1.6 billion exported internationally.”
The Governor also hosted a community leader’s morning tea and spoke to a wide range of community members and they discussed topics from business to the environment and building a strong community.
The Governor said the central purpose of his visit was to express support for the people of Ipswich, to celebrate achievement and to acknowledge initiatives which advance social cohesion.
“I am very pleased to report, that since 2014, I have visited Ipswich 25 times, not including my virtual visit to the mayoral chambers by FaceTime in May this year, when an ‘in person’ visit was not possible,” His Excellency said.
“It has been a great privilege, across many decades now as Judge, Chief Justice and Governor, to chart the growth and progress of this city.”
The Governor was given a tour of the Ipswich Art Gallery looking at local exhibition Ways of Water by Kylie Stevens after meeting with Ipswich Defence Industry businesses leaders.
Hundreds of Ipswich Central State School students welcomed the Governor to their school assembly where he presented Science Fair award winners and staff with service recognition awards.
Year five students asked questions about what it takes to be a leader.
Finally he visited the year one classroom where he read his newly launched children’s book about Gavel the Vice-Regal Dog.
When the Governor set foot in the Ipswich Central State School on Wednesday, it was not the first time he had walked the school grounds.
He himself was a student there in 1959 and 1960, when the school was called the Ipswich Central Boys School and his father, Ronald, was the head teacher.
The Governor has a great personal affection for Ipswich as it was the birth place of his mother, Moya.