31 August 2009

MANY thousands of residents, visitors and QR workers attended the Workshops Rail Museum yesterday for the Ipswich family open day and annual reunion of former workers. The day paid tribute to the enormous contribution made by QR workers to the development of Queensland and was a tremendous opportunity for past and present QR workers to reminisce and share stories of their time in the railways. This year was extra special with the arrival of the Q150 steam train at 4.30pm as it completed its journey around the state. We are very proud to be the birthplace of Queensland Rail. Since opening in 1884 over 10,000 people have worked at the Ipswich Railway Workshops.

It was gratifying to hear from Logan mayor Pam Parker apologising for the outburst from Logan councillor Darren Power who was critical of our city. It has been many years since I have heard such petty criticism across council borders. No matter where you live it is your home. We can all be proud of the tremendous achievement being made in Ipswich.

A very special 100th birthday was celebrated last Friday. Kathleen Roache of Brassall Village became our latest centenarian. Kathleen was born in 1909 at the former St Mary’s Hospital in Roderick Street. At the time Kathleen’s parents lived in Walloon and later she was married in Rosewood.

The Lions Children of Courage Awards on Saturday at the Ipswich Art Gallery highlighted the remarkable achievements of children with special needs. Their personal hurdles might be physical, mental or social. These children overcome adversity to achieve many goals in their young lives. They are inspirational young citizens and we adults could learn much from them.

Glebe Garden Club celebrated 150 years of gardening on Saturday with a workshop and expo for home gardeners. It was a great day with a sausage sizzle and talks from gardening experts held at the fellowship centre on the corner of Glebe Road and Eileen Street in Booval.