Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Sunday, along with my wife Carolyn, I had the pleasure of joining the parishioners of St Thomas' Anglican Church for their 125th anniversary celebration in North Ipswich. The church was consecrated in 1889 and its first priest was the Reverend John Wheatley. Its mission statement is 'To proclaim the good news of God's reign'. The erection of the church building began in 1887. It was designed by John H. Buckeridge, an English-born Australian architect who built about 60 churches in Queensland. The church was constructed of wood, with an iron roof and timber ceiling, and is located opposite Ipswich North State School. In April 1891 tenders were called to build a new school building for the Sunday school. This building still stands, and it is called 'the big hall'. It was built at a cost of 300 pounds and was completed in nine weeks.

During the early years fundraising activities—from quarterly socials to fancy fairs—were very much a part of the life of the church. In fact, more than 5,000 tickets, at the cost of a shilling each, were sold in an art union draw. In 1969 maintenance of the church building was becoming more difficult because of finances, so cladding with red brick took place on the north, south, east and west walls. A mature persons' fellowship group was started in 1984, and they celebrated their 30th anniversary this year.

The Archbishop of Brisbane, the Most Reverend Phillip Aspinall, officiated at the service on Sunday. The current priest—Father Bill Redman, who has been with the church for 15 years—also assisted. This church has a rich history of service to the Ipswich community, and I congratulate the Anglican community of Ipswich. (Time expired)