🌟 Meet Belmont: Ipswich Grammar’s 160-Year Heritage Heartbeat

Belmont House was built 1863–1865 by Brisbane builder William Welsby. It cost £2,000 (≈ A$495 000 today) and sold in 2021 for $1.3 million. It had previously changed hands off-market for $1.05 million in February 2020—a 24 % jump in just 17 months.

In 1900, British-born coachbuilder Frederick Johnson bought the house and renamed it Belmont after his daughter Evelyn’s middle name—honouring the 1899 Battle of Belmont in South Africa.

Facing Ipswich Grammar School (1863), Queensland’s oldest secondary school, Belmont flaunts 60 cm-thick sandstone walls and ornate two-storey verandahs with cast-iron lacework.

A 1980s heritage-sensitive extension by architect Bruce Buchanan added a master suite, family zones, studies, and a sun-filled conservatory overlooking landscaped gardens.

🔢 Belmont by the Numbers

• Address: 11 Burnett Street, Sadliers Crossing
• Lot Size: 1 274 m² (¼ acre)
• Layout: 5–6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, formal living/dining, conservatory, family room, 3 studies
• Garage: Secure modern 4-car

🗓️ Belmont Timeline at a Glance

• 1863–1865: Built by William Welsby as “The Stone House.”
• 1871: Rented (later bought) by Josiah Francis, five-time Mayor of Ipswich.
• 1900: Purchased by Frederick Johnson; renamed “Belmont.”
• 1909: Bought by Samuel & Eliza Hamill, railway family custodians for decades.
• 1960s: Home to poet Thomas Shapcott.
• Late 1970s: Thornton family begins 40-year restoration.
• 1980s: Major extension by architect Bruce Buchanan.
• Feb 2020: Sold off-market for $1.05 million.
• Jul 2021: Resold for $1.3 million.

Why Belmont is Special

📜 History & Origins

• Early Prestige: Grammar School Hill became a coveted address opposite Ipswich Grammar.
• Prominent Residents: Hosted Mayor Josiah Francis and poet Thomas Shapcott.

🏛️ Architecture & Design

• Rare Sandstone: One of only five heritage sandstone homes left in Ipswich.
• Local Stone: Likely quarried at Woogaroo, rafted upriver in the 1860s.
• Georgian Elegance: Cedar joinery, iron lace, original fireplaces.

🛠️ Restoration Highlights

• Thornton Dedication: 40 years of meticulous work.
• Seamless Extension: 1980s addition mirrors original stone and timber.
• Modern Comfort: Air-con, conservatory, courtyard, pool.

🏡 Present Day: Comfort & Heritage

• Restored Elegance: 19th-century charm meets modern luxury.
• Luxury Features: Master suite with ensuite & walk-in robe.
• Secure & Practical: Electronic gates, 4-car garage.
• Family-Friendly: Multiple sunny living areas, studies.
• Outdoor Oasis: Landscaped courtyard and pool.
• Local Favourite: Star attraction on Ipswich heritage tours.

⭐ Why Belmont Matters to Ipswich

Belmont proves heritage homes can thrive—showcasing Ipswich’s rich past while offering modern comfort.

🌊 Bremer Burst: Ipswich’s 1893 vs 2011 Floods

This week’s Spotlight revisits Ipswich’s worst-ever flood—Black February 1893—and lines it up against the destructive 2011 flood still vivid in local memory.

Yes, the 1974 flood crested higher than 2011, and 2022 wasn’t far behind, but 2011 is the one most of us lived through. Both events swept away bridges, submerged suburbs, and reshaped how Ipswich faces rising waters.

Why revisit these floods?

• Know your history – Past floods teach us how to prepare for the next one.
• Measure progress – See how lessons from 1893 improved modern flood planning.
• Future-proof Ipswich – Use history to protect our community when waters rise again.

Scroll down for the Bremer Burst infographic to see how Ipswich handled two defining floods—and why that insight matters today.

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a special announcement, or just want to say hi to 2,000+ Ipswich friends?

Farewell Dexter ❤️

We'll miss you, Dexter—our big-hearted 400 kg Angus steer and long-time favourite at the Ipswich Nature Centre. From scratches and school pick‑ups to impromptu acoustic guitar sessions, you dished out cuddles, nudges, and pure joy. Your giant hoofprints will stay on our hearts, and you'll always be part of the family.

“They are the finest shops south of the Equator.”

Who said it? An exuberant guide made the claim while escorting a reporter through the freshly opened North Ipswich Railway Workshops in 1904. The quote appeared in the Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser on 4 June 1904 and later echoed in the Queensland Heritage Register.

🗳️ Vote

🤔 Trivia

📍 GuessWhere

How to play: Look at the photo, guess where it was taken from in Ipswich. Click the link and drop your pin to see how close you can get.

GuessWhere →

🧩 Scramble

🗳️ Election 2025: Neumann & Dick Re-elected as Labor Pushes Toward 92-Seat Majority

• Blair — Shayne Neumann locks in 55.9 % (55 670 votes) to 44.1 %, all 66 booths counted, a 0.6-pt swing to Labor. Results →
• Oxley — Milton Dick finishes on 69.6 % (62 816 votes) to 30.4 %, 50/50 booths, an 8.0-pt Labor surge. Results →
• National — Labor 92 • Coalition 42 • Independents 9 • KAP 1 • Centre Alliance 1. Five seats still in doubt, confirming Anthony Albanese’s majority.  Live results →

🌪️ Cyclone Alfred Damage Report: 35 Homes, 684 Potholes

Council’s 1 May wrap-up confirms the Bremer peaked at 11.47 m; only five sportsfields flooded and most roads are already patched. Read report →

🏠 Carroll House Rolls Into Rosewood—Heritage Saved, KFC Coming

The 1906 Carroll family home completed a two-night, truck-and-dolly move from Queen St, Goodna to Dellvene Cres, Rosewood this week, securing its future in a character-housing precinct after the former Goodna block was rezoned for a new fast-food outlet. Restoration plans are now being drawn up, keeping the landmark in Ipswich while unlocking Goodna’s long-planned commercial core. Carroll House →

✈️ Planes Trains & Autos Packs Out ‘Fully Charged’ Day

All 10 000 tickets snapped up—en route to chasing last year’s 18 000-visitor turnout—as Red Bull aces Matt Hall and Emma McDonald tore up the sky, while pro skater Tommy Fynn wowed crowds alongside monster machinery and static heritage-loco displays. Highlights →

🏈 Goodna’s Laki Tasi Signs with NFL’s Raiders

The 6′6″, 348-lb powerhouse joins Las Vegas via the International Pathway Program—Ipswich’s first NFL hopeful. Meet Laki →

🌻 Kalbar Sunflower Festival Blooms for Cancer Care

1,000s turned up to view 20 acres of Scenic Rim sunflower fields (estimated to house 1 million sunflowers), picking bunches to benefit Mater and Ipswich Hospital Foundation. Guests also enjoyed a sunflower maze, live music, market stalls, and a new children's petting zoo. Pics →, 9News recap →

Want a Featured Event with a poster? Let's chat...

Wednesday (7^th May)

🆓 Denmark Hills Conservation Reserve - Play a new Agents of Discovery Mission (every day self-guided) 6am-6pm details

🆓 Ipswich Art Gallery - Exhibitions: Don't Get Too Comfortable & Flood Lines 10am-5pm (daily) details

🆓 Booval Freemasons Centre — Learn to meditate 6:30–7:30pm. Info

💵 Brothers Leagues Club, Raceview — $25 poker (reg by 6pm) 7pm start

🆓 Monté Lane Wine Bar — Trivia (free to play but food & drink 💵) 6:30pm. Book

🆓 General Public, Nicholas Street Precinct — Trivia (free to play but food & drink 💵) 6:30pm. Info

🆓 Banshees Bar & Artspace — Open-mic 7 pm. Info

Thursday (8^th)

🆓 Club Services Ipswich — Trivia Thursday • 6:30–9 pm info

🆓 Banshees Bar & Artspace — Karaoke • 7pm-late details

Friday (9^th)

🆓 Queens Park Environmental Education Centre - Bush Kindy 9:30-11:30am info

💵 Banshees Bar & Artspace — The Spivs, Weezal & The Busymen primitive grooves 7pm-late details

💵 Ipswich Civic Centre - Jekyll & Hyde—The Musical, starts at 7:30pm (with Saturday and Sunday showings) bookings

Saturday (10^th)

💵 Ewe Nique Hobby Farm - Mother's Day weekend morning tea session 8:30am (or 10:30am) bookings

💵 Marburg Showgrounds - 104th Annual Marburg Show, from 9am, lots going on info

🆓 Handmade Expo Markets - May Markets with 100 stalls 9am-1pm info

🆓 John Street Reserve Rosewood - Community planting 9-11am details

💵 The Soul Nook Collective Marburg - Make Mum a cool picnic table 2-4pm book here

💵 The Soul Nook Collective Marburg -  Luxe Mother's Day picnics (30% OFF) Details

🆓 Harrisville Hayes Oval - Free car show with food trucks, live music and outdoor bar 4-8pm details

💵 Banshees Bar & Artspace — Palace Ipswich: Disco Fever 7pm-late details

💵 Ipswich Civic Centre - Jekyll & Hyde—The Musical, starts at 2pm (with a 7:30pm show) bookings

💵 Hardings Paddock at Flinders - Goolman Conservation Estate - Great Trails of Ipswich: Moonrise Hike 5:30-8:30pm ($20) book here

💵 Studio 188 - Jo Davie music, new album launch 7-10pm tickets & more info

Sunday (11^th) - 💐 Mother's Day 

💵 CSI North Ipswich - Mother's Day Gourmet Buffet Breakfast 6:30-9:30am details

💵 Brothers Leagues Club - Mother's Day: Hot buffet breakfast 7:30am/9am. All day dining with live music noon-8:30pm info

💵 Rosewood Hotel - Mother's Day Breakfast Buffet 8-10:30am info

💵 Ewe Nique Hobby Farm - Mother's Day morning tea session 8:30am (or 10:30am) bookings

🆓 Jack Barkley Park North Booval - Trees for Mum community tree planting info

💵 Hotel Commonwealth - Mother's Day Specials & Mum's get complimentary bubbles 10am-late info

💵 Orion Hotel - Mother's Day Buffet Lunch 11am-1:30pm book now

💵 Stony Creek Brewing - Taco-trio & cocktail special 11:30am-3pm book

💵 Spicers Hidden Vale - Mother's Day Picnic 12:30pm book

💵 Ipswich Civic Centre - Jekyll & Hyde—The Musical, starts at 2pm bookings

💵 Watercress Creek Olives and Limes - Mother's Day 'Groovin in the Grove' picnic & live music 2-6pm details

🆓 General Public - Mum's bowl free book

Monday (12^th)

🦗

Tuesday (13^th)

🆓 Hotel Commonwealth - Trivia Tuesday from 7pm book

🧩 This Week's Answers

📊 Last Week’s Results

—Jamey
Ipswich Insider (Facebook, Instagram)
Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD 4305

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