🏡 Dumfries: The Original Coalfalls

Tucked at the end of Harlin Road, sitting on an unfloodable ridge above the Bremer River, is a Federation-era Queenslander most Ipswich locals have never seen.

Today it's called Dumfries. But for its first 70 years, the house was called Coalfalls. Yes, like the suburb it sits in, but long before Coalfalls was a suburb.

Designed by George Brockwell Gill, the house was built for the Blair family around 1890. Or possibly 1906, depending on which record book you trust. Either way, its wide verandahs, 6 bedrooms, and 6,174m² block still dominate the corner of Harlin and Williams Street. And a boy who grew up here became Chief Justice of Queensland, which is why Blair State School carries his family name.

Meet the original Coalfalls →

🦇 David Attenborough Filmed in Woodend. Here's the Footage.

Had you heard David Attenborough filmed in Ipswich?

It's true. It's not a local myth.

He was here in 1990, standing above the Woodend gully we now know as Woodend Nature Centre. It was full of 250,000 flying-foxes. And he was interviewing the two neighbours who lived with them, because those two houses were private homes and gardens at the time.

The footage aired once on BBC in 1992 and then disappeared.

We tracked it down.

Watch the clip, meet bat-loving Chris Holman and her less enthusiastic neighbour Mrs Berry, and find out how Mrs Berry's house ended up becoming Woodend Nature Centre.

Watch the Woodend footage →

$1.5m–$1.6m, Eastern Heights: Six-bedroom estate on 984sqm with a self-contained granny flat, heated saltwater pool and spa, three-car garage, and gourmet kitchen. Strong dual-living option in a blue-chip pocket. See full listing →

A Theatre Supper at Incinerator Theatre, Queens Park: Ophelia Chooses runs 13–30 May. This comedy-drama reworks Hamlet for Shakespeare fans and newcomers alike. Rated M. See full details →

Willowbank MX, Motocross: runs Wednesday to Sunday, 7am–3pm, plus weekday arvo rides 1pm–3pm. Pricing starts at $35, with tracks for peewees, juniors and seniors. No licence needed, and kids’ lessons are available. Book at willowbankmx.com.au →

The Best of Ipswich on YouTube: Come check out our YouTube channel. Ipswich Insider’s YouTube channel features aerial videos of Ipswich suburbs, streetscapes, landmarks and buildings, giving you a clear look at the city from above. Plenty more to come... Subscribe now to get the latest →

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🤔 Trivia

🧩 Scramble

Unscramble your GuessWhere hint

📍 GuessWhere

How to play: Look close 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, Ipswich →

📈 Ipswich Named Queensland's Fastest-Growing LGA

Queensland Treasury figures released on 31 March show Ipswich was the state's fastest-growing local government area in 2024-25, up 3.5 per cent or 9,138 residents to 268,272 people. The pace of growth matters because it drives pressure for more housing, transport, schools and community services across Ipswich. Queensland Government Statistician's Office →

🥇 Ipswich's Gout Gout Wins Under-20 100m Gold

Ipswich sprinter Gout Gout won the Australian under-20 men's 100m title in 10.21 seconds in Brisbane on 18 April, days after his 19.67 national 200m record in Sydney. It keeps an Ipswich teenager at the front of Australian athletics ahead of the 2026 world under-20 championships.
Watch →
Australian Athletics →

🎭 House Of India Breaks Ground In Springfield

The House of India project officially broke ground in Springfield on 19 April, backed by a $5.5 million federal commitment and a partnership with the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland. The centre will be open to the broader community, with space for events, services, food relief and crisis accommodation. Local Ipswich News →

🏗️ Stage 3 Starts On $6 Million Ipswich Showgrounds Upgrade

Stage 3 of the Ipswich Showgrounds redevelopment began this week with $6 million in federal funding for upgraded amenities, lighting, fencing, electrical works and a replacement cattle pavilion. The upgrade matters because the site hosts the annual show and also serves as an emergency relief centre during natural disasters. Local Ipswich News →

🕯️ Family Holds Vigil After Child Drowning At Colleges Crossing

After seven-year-old Adior Kuer Akech drowned at Colleges Crossing on 11 April, her family held a candlelight vigil on 19 April at 5pm at the Chuwar reserve. It gave family, friends and the wider community a set time and place to gather after the 11 April tragedy. Facebook →

Quick-fire snippets—local buzz & chatter:

• 🎸 The Burrow Opens In Ipswich CBD →
• 🍰 Ollie's Cake House Opens At Yamanto Central →
• 🤸 Flip Out Bundamba Opening Nears →
• 🚘 Ipswich Lapz Returns On 2 May →
• 🏁 Car Marathon Set For Willowbank Raceway 17 May →
• 🌼 Ipswich Horticultural Society Sets 2 May Autumn Show →
• 🪖 Tulmur Place Gets ANZAC Day Display →
• 🏐 Ruby Stanford Named National Under-17 MVP →
• 🏉 Ipswich Jets Lose Thriller In Port Moresby →
• 🌿 Ipswich Horticultural Society Marks 160 Years →
• 🎾 Ipswich Hosts MT400 Claycourt Championships →
• 🌊 Bundamba Creek Restoration Shows Early Gains →
• 🏞️ Camira Recreation Park Consultation Opens →
• 🅿️ Feedback Opens On Tulmur Place Carpark Rename →

Wednesday (22 April)

🍻🍽️ Banshees Bar and Artspace - Open Mic 6 PM info

🍻🍽️ General Public - Trivia 6:30 PM info

Thursday (23 April)

🆓 Ipswich Art Gallery - Kathryn Neilsen photographic exhibition 10am-3pm info

🍻🍽️ Banshees Bar and Artspace - Karaoke 6pm info

💵 Everyday Mums Hub - Zumba class 6:30-7:30pm ($12) details

🍻🍽️ Orion Hotel - Trivia 7-10 PM ($1) details

Friday (24 April)

🆓 Croquet Club Hall, Queens Park - Boardgame Club Night 4:45-8:45pm more info

💵 Ipwich Indoor Sports Centre, Showgrounds - Pickleball 5:30-7:30pm ($8-15) See all weekly sessions here →

💵 Limestone Gallery and Studios - Metal Clay Play 6-9pm ($39) info

💵 Studio 188 - CLEA Mixtape Sessions 7:30pm ($24) info

💵 Ipswich Civic Centre - Kenny Rodgers & Friends tribute 7:30pm ($55+) details

🌺 Saturday (25 April)

💵 Banshees Bar & Artspace -YKL "Road to Redemption" EP launch ($18.50) details

Sunday (26 April)

💵 Castle Hill, Blackstone - Wild West Summer Series mountain biking 7:30am details

🆓 Rare & Pretty Dolls, Top of Town - Monster High & Fashion Doll Market 9am-12pm info

💵 Ipswich Art Workshop - Introduction to watercolour 1-4pm ($65) tickets

Monday (27 April)

🆓 Harry's Place Cafe, Rosewood - Weekly Adventure Walk + coffee (BYO) with Kez and crew from @thingstodoIpswich 9-10am info

Tuesday (28 April)

🆓 Springfield Lakes YMCA - Ipswich Thriving Seniors daily events timetable →

—Jamey (Support Monthly · Facebook · Instagram)
Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD 4305
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