Meet Gooloowan

🏛️ The White Stone House on the Hill

Built in 1864—just as Ipswich was finding its feet—this two-storey villa has been watching over the city for 160 years.

Locals call it "The big white house on Denmark Hill,” though it wasn’t always white. It started as rich red brick, before being rendered to mimic carved stone—an illusion as grand as the house itself.

It was built for Benjamin Cribb—merchant, MP, and co-founder of Cribb & Foote—and designed by architect Charles Balding, who also drew up Normanby Homestead.

Inside? French doors, cedar joinery, Italian marble, and a rare 1930s hand-operated lift. Underneath? A wartime cellar once opened to neighbours during air raids.

And just a few k's away, Cribb’s son James built Garowie—a family dynasty in stone and lace.

Gooloowan isn’t just historic—it’s Ipswich royalty in residence.

🧱 Built to Impress

• First Owner: Benjamin Cribb, merchant, politician, and one of Ipswich’s founding figures.
• Architect: Charles Balding (also of Normanby Homestead fame).
• Style: Georgian-Victorian villa with wide verandahs, cast-iron lacework, and cedar-framed French doors.
• Signature Feature: Still has its hand-operated lift, installed in the 1930s when Mrs Walker became incapacitated—one of the very few of that era remaining in Queensland homes.

🧑‍⚖️ A Home of Firsts

• Barrister Legacy: Later home to Harriet Walker, one of Queensland’s first female barristers.
• Wartime Role: Its brick cellar sheltered neighbours during WWII air raids.
• Family Thread: Owned and restored by the Isbell family since 1988, who uncovered 1920s wallpaper behind a light switch.

🏡 Still Standing Proud

• Heritage Listing: Officially listed in 1992—part of the Great Houses of Ipswich since 2017.
• Restorations: Verandahs, fence, and gates have been lovingly restored using original materials found buried on-site.
• Today: A private home, still lived in and still standing tall near the water tower on Denmark Hill.

✨ What Makes Gooloowan Remarkable

• Landmark: One of Ipswich’s most recognisable hilltop homes.
• Rarity: A rare example of bespoke 1860s construction still in residential use.
• Legacy: Tied to the Cribb family, Queensland politics, wartime resilience, and women’s legal history.
• Living History: Never a museum. Always a home.

🍨 Want the Full Scoop?

👉 Read more and take a virtual tour here

🪪 More Ipswich Suburb Stat Cards

Last week 100% of you (who voted) said you wanted more suburb stat cards.

So here's 5 more.

👉 See stat pack #2 

For those that weren't here last week—These stat cards are quick looks at some of the most interesting Census stats. 

Each card tells a story.

It's from the 2021 Census—but let’s be real, most people haven’t seen this stuff.

👇 Here’s Karalee (link to more underneath):

🗳️ Vote

🧩 Word Scramble

🤔 Trivia

📍 GuessWhere

How to play: Look at the photo, guess where it was taken from in Ipswich, click the link to go and drop your pin on the map with your guess:

Play GuessWhere, Ipswich →

🏆 Ipswich Athletes on Fire

🏃‍♂️ GOUT OF THIS WORLD 

Seventeen-year-old Ipswich Grammar sprint star Gout Gout won the Australian Open 200m title in 19.84 seconds (wind-assisted)—the second-fastest U20 time in history. He also ran a 9.99 in the U20 100m and took home the Betty Cuthbert Medal for best performer of the meet. Watch 200m race →

🥇 Juniors Bring Home More Gold 

Ipswich juniors lit up the national track in Perth:

• Leah Leembruggen (St Mary’s) set a QLD record in the U16 200m hurdles (28.82s). Watch →
• John Kasiano (IGS) won U18 200m gold (21.26 PB) and silver in the 100m. Watch →
• Simeon Anstey (IGS) took U17 400m gold (49.92s). Watch →
• Harry Purcell, also IGS-alum, won the U20 110m hurdles (13.60s, wind-assisted); now with Future Athletics and studying at QUT. Results →

🥎 Ipswich U16 Softball Wins State Title 

The Ipswich U16 girls softball team beat Redcliffe 6–3 in the Queensland final at Toowoomba — taking gold after a dominant weekend run. Link →

🏐 Netball Carnival Brings 2,000+ Athletes to Ipswich 

Ipswich hosted 200+ teams and close to 2,000 games across four days for the Senior State Age Netball Carnival (April 12–15), drawing thousands of fans and showcasing the region’s big-event potential. Facebook feed →

🏉 Jets Hold Off PNG Hunters in Nailbiter 

The Ipswich Jets edged out the Hunters 22–20 in a tight Hostplus Cup clash at North Ipswich Reserve, lifting them to 6th place on the ladder. Watch highlights →

🎳 North Ipswich Bowls Turns 70 

The club marked its 70th birthday with an Open Fours Carnival featuring 30 teams from across Queensland — a big weekend for one of Ipswich’s oldest sporting clubs.

⚠️ Safety & Emergency

Contractor Dies After Electrocution in Tallegalla

A man in his 40s was electrocuted while working in the roof of a home on Tallegalla Two Tree Hill Road on April 10. Emergency services responded, but he sadly died at the scene. The Electrical Safety Office is investigating. More info →

🌇 Around Town

☀️ Council Switches On Biggest Rooftop Solar Project Yet 

Ipswich City Council has completed a 200kW solar system on top of the Ipswich Central Library — featuring 400 panels generating 270MWh per year. It’s expected to cut emissions by 230 tonnes annually and save $29K in power costs. Media release → 

🇦🇺 ANZAC Day Services Announced Across Ipswich

Ipswich City Council and local RSL branches have confirmed times for ANZAC Day commemorations at more than 15 locations across the city—including dawn services, main marches, and community tributes in suburbs like Brassall, Goodna, North Ipswich, Springfield Central, Rosewood, and more.📍Main March: 10:45am, Brisbane & Waghorn St, Ipswich. 🕯️ Dawn Services: From 4:00am in suburbs across Ipswich. All info here →

🎙️ 10 Years Marnie and Campo Morning Show River 949

The popular local breakfast duo celebrates a decade on-air together.

Wednesday (April 16^th)

🆓 Summerland Camel Harrisville - Little Farmer Humpty Day free entry with paid upgrades 9am-2pm info

🆓 Nicholas Street Precinct - Easter Bunny & face painting (daily) 10am-2pm details

🆓 Springlake Hotel - Kids eat free with main meal purchase info

💵 Brothers Leagues Club Ipswich - $25 poker night you must be registered by 6pm

🆓 Monte Lane Wine Bar - Trivia night (at 6:30pm) is free but you'll need to pay for your wine & pizza (prizes included) bookings essential

🆓 General Public - Trivia night at 6:30pm info

🆓 Banshees Bar & Artspace - Open mic night from 7pm info

Thursday (17^th)

Smart Start Early Learning Centre Redbank Plains - Easter family event with egg hunting and other activites 3:30-4:30pm info

💵 Regatta Lake Reserve - Discover the nocturnal world of bats with a guided Bat Detective walk using echodetectors, suitable for families, 5:30-7pm tickets

🆓 Club Services Ipswich - Trivia Thursday from 6:30-9pm info

Friday (18^th)

🐰🥚🌷

💵 Springlake Hotel - Good Friday Seafood Buffet 11:30am-2:30pm info

Saturday (19^th)

🆓 Ipswich Art Gallery - New collaborative project and exhibition called Flood Lines showcasing Bremer River—by artist Kylie Stevens and historian Mararet Cook. Starts today and runs 10am-5pm daily info

💵 The Llama Farm - Easter Bunny photo experience selling fast 12:30pm tickets

🆓 Brothers Leagues Club Raceview - Family-friendly event with Easter Bunny visit, face painting, and all-day dining open 11 AM-9 PM with main Easter activities 3-5pm. More info

💵 United Sports Club - Easter Poker rego by 5pm info

🆓 Orion Hotel - Easter party with live music featuring Liam Conner from 7pm (other live music starts at 6pm) info

🆓 Club Parkview Goodna - Live music Saturday night duo from 8:30pm info

Sunday (20^th)

🆓 Springfield Market Orion - 9am-4pm info

🆓 Orion Hotel - Ultimate Easter family fun with Easter bunny and egg hunt from 10am info

🆓 Club Services Ipswich - Gather the family for an Easter Sunday filled with creative activities, music, and a special visit from the Easter Bunny from 11 AM - 2 PM info

💵 Homage Restauraunt Hidden Vale - Easter High Tea 12-2pm bookings

Monday (21^st)

🆓 Ipswich Turf Club - Easter races: Thouroughbred racing and Easter egg hunt (free entry) to enjoy 12-5pm info

Tuesday (22^nd)

🦗

🧩 This Week's Answers

📊 Last Week’s Results

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

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