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Eleanor Constance “Ella” Greenham
(1874 – 1957) may not be a
household name, but in 1901 she became the first Queensland-born
woman to be registered as a medical practitioner. At a time when it
was rare for a woman to go to university, let alone consider a career
in medicine, this young Ipswich woman was appointed as a Resident
at the Lady Bowen Hospital in Brisbane. Eleanor Greenham had
another “first” to her name – she was the very first student to enrol
in Ipswich Girls Grammar School (IGGS) when it opened in 1892.
One hundred years later in 1992 a bronze bust of Eleanor Greenham
was presented to IGGS as part of their centenary celebrations. It
now has pride of place in the IGGS library that was recently named
“The Eleanor Greenham Resource Centre”.
Ellen Violet “Vi” Jordan
(1913 – 1982) was elected an alderman of
the Ipswich City Council in 1961 and was the first woman to hold
this position, in spite of women being given the right to vote and
stand for public office in 1902. In 1966 she went on to be elected
as Member for Ipswich West in the State Government, the second
woman to hold office in Queensland Parliament and she retained
the seat until 1974. Not surprisingly, Vi Jordan was a strong advocate
for equal pay for women and child care and worked to break down
discrimination in the work force.
Dr David Trumpy
was a long serving and highly regarded doctor
and superintendent of the Ipswich Hospital. When the time came
in 1965 to replace the 100 year old Bremer River bridge linking North
Ipswich with the CBD, it was decided that it should be called the
David Trumpy Bridge in honour of this remarkable Ipswichian.
Rhoda Cameron
together with her friend, Mrs Russell, began a
“Meals on Wheels” service in Ipswich in 1956 from her back yard. At
this time there were no government subsidies or grants, so Rhoda
Cameron (the wife of the then Commonwealth Health Minister and
Member for Oxley, Donald Cameron) served meals from a thermos
flask and pudding basin for the cost of two shillings (20 cents) per
meal. What began in Rhoda Cameron’s back yard over fifty years
ago now enjoys government funding support, is Queensland wide,
and still attracts committed volunteers.
Viva Cribb
(1920 – 2006) was the great granddaughter of Benjamin
Cribb, founder of Cribb and Foote. She was widely recognised for
her passion for Ipswich’s history. A bursary is offered in her name
each year by the Ipswich City Council for those interested in
researching an aspect of the city’s history.
Hilda des Arts
(1915 - 2002) was a highly regarded psychologist and
advocate for lifelong learning. She was very involved in the Ipswich
Senior Net organisation that fosters computer literacy in mature
members of the community. Ipswich Hospice Care was named
Hilda’s House in her honour. Hilda’s House provides support to
people who are facing the end of their life, their loved ones and for
people who are bereaved. At her funeral Pastor Mark Edwards
stated that “Hilda had a sense of social justice long before it was
fashionable to do so ... [she] left a legacy that encourages each and
every one of us, regardless of religion, race, colour or view point,
to work together and make a difference in the community.”
The Hon Bill Hayden AC
(born 1933) arrived in Ipswich as a young
constable in the 1950s. By 1961 politics had called and he won the
Federal seat of Oxley for Labor. Hayden soon rose through the
ranks and became Minister for Social Security in 1972 as part of the
Whitlam government and was active in the creation of Medibank.
He became Treasurer in 1975, and after consecutive election
defeats, became Opposition Leader in 1977. He served as Minister
for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Hawke government before
accepting the post of Governor General in early 1989. Following
retirement in 1996 Bill and Dallas Hayden settled back on their
farm overlooking Wivenhoe Dam.
Sir Llew Edwards AC
(born 1935) grew up in Ipswich and joined the
family firm as an electrician. He later studied medicine and became
a popular local GP before standing for the Liberal Party in the state
seat of Ipswich. He held a range of positions including Minister for
Health, Deputy Premier and Treasurer and leader of the Liberal
Party. Retirement in 1983 saw Llew Edwards receive a knighthood.
His involvement in the community continued, and as Chair and
Chief Executive of Expo 88, Sir Llew Edwards was hailed as one of
the key reasons the event was such a resounding success. Sir Llew
has been Chancellor of the University of Queensland and is a
member of a number of boards.
When Sir Llew Edwards retired from politics, a young
David Hamill
(born 1957) won the seat of Ipswich for Labor. Educated at Bremer
High School and the University of Queensland, David Hamill was
Queensland’s Rhodes Scholar in 1979 and he studied at Queen’s
College, Oxford. He had a range of portfolios in the Queensland
government and served as State Treasurer and later earned a PhD.
The Hon Dr David Hamill is credited with assisting the establishment
of the University of Queensland Ipswich campus, which is on the
site of the former Challinor Centre. Still living in Ipswich, Dr Hamill
continues to be an active member of the community and a much
sought-after consultant and board member.
Today, Ipswich boasts the Queensland Minister for Transport as the
current Member for Ipswich.
Rachel Nolan MP
(born 1974) was the
youngest women elected to the Queensland Parliament (when she
attained the position in 2001) and has held the seat of Ipswich since
The Hon Dr Hamill’s retirement from politics.
Ipswich continues to benefit from a wealth of political talent, from
the past and in the present, each contributing to the development
and clarification of the city’s character.
Contributors
There are many people who have helped to shape and guide the development of Ipswich through
their social, environmental or political contributions. Some are well known, others are not, but all have
played an important role. To include every person who has made a contribution would require
volumes. Here is simply a snapshot, a glimpse, of the many wonderful and interesting people who have
contributed so much to Ipswich throughout its 150 years.
24 Ipswich 150: 1860 – 2010
Proud Past - Exciting Future