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The river was of critical importance to trade and business in Ipswich
with the first regular barge service starting in 1840.
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In October of 1860, Ipswich officially became a Customs Port, allowing
dutiable goods to arrive and thereby considerably decreasing delays to
businesses for receiving these goods.
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In the late 1850s and early 1860s, there was a shortage of coins for small
change. With official approval, many businesses minted their own. They
were interchangeable between the various firms and the public generally.
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The former Baptist Church on Brisbane Street started life on the corner
of West and Brisbane Streets. That site is now occupied by the Golbey’s
Building which houses Art Time and Underworld Games. The Pastor,
Reverend Thomas Deacon, who resided in West Street, died the day
after the church’s official opening on August 24, 1860.
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1892: The first cotton mill in Australia was built in Ipswich.
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1893: The first piece of cotton twill sheeting was manufactured in
Australia at the Ipswich Cotton Company’s factory situated in East
Ipswich.
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Clothing manufacturing was an important industry to Ipswich in the
early years and there were a number of large businesses including
Bishop and Woodward, and Parker and Goertz.
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The riverboat era dawned for Ipswich and the Bremer River in the
1890s and the first boat to reach the city’s wharf was the Louisa which
had been chartered by Messrs Cribb and Foote to bring up goods for
their store.
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In 1906, business owners came together and formed the Ipswich
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chamber is still operating
today and is an integral and highly valued part of Ipswich’s business
community.
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1923: The Mathers Shoe empire was started in Ipswich by Bill Mathers.
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The elegant Gallery Newtown at 176 Brisbane Street is situated where an
undertaker’s business once stood.
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Vogler’s Model and Toy Store began life as a Gun and Blacksmithery in
the mid 1800s and originally started trading in East Street before moving
and establishing at their present location in the Top of Town Precinct.
A forge once sat at the rear of the property.
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2005: Capral Aluminium opened their $160 million manufacturing plant
at Bundamba.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Outing on the Bremer River 1920s
RAAF Base Amberley
Construction of the Centenary Highway Extension