Ipswich history will again be brought to life on Sunday 25 August at Cooneana Heritage Centre from 9am to 2pm. Ipswich Heritage Day is hosted by Ipswich Historical Society as many organisations come together to show visitors what life was like here in times past.

There will be many activities for everyone to participate in and find out how it felt to live a hundred years or so ago.

A school class that our great grandparents experienced and games they played will all be available for families to enjoy together. Sack races, skipping and horseshoe throwing will challenge Mums and Dads to compete with the youngsters. Wear flat shoes if this is for you!

Displays of handicrafts, old vehicles, jeeps from WW2, working models of machinery, miniature models of historic Ipswich buildings and photographs from yesteryear will be on hand.

See penny farthing bikes being ridden and damper being made the way swagmen used to make it. Have a taste too. It’s great with golden syrup!

Watch as our Blacksmiths create tools, hinges, ornaments and more in the Blacksmith Shop.

See a Wheelwright making a wheel for an old wagon. He is usually based at Templin Museum.

Talk to the Genealogical Society members about how to research your family history.

Enjoy seeing our Spinners and Weavers demonstrating dyeing, felting, spinning yarn from fleece and weaving throughout the day.

Take part in the Coal Shovelling Competition filling a wheelbarrow with Cooneana Coal as fast as you can. There are four categories of entries: under 12 years, under 15 years, under 18 years and Open. Enrol at the coal stockpile. Fastest wheelbarrow filler in each category at the end of the day wins a prize. Every entrant will receive a certificate showing their time.

Entry is $5.00 for adults, cash only please, payable at the gate. Children under 12 years have free entry. Proceeds go to the ongoing upkeep of Cooneana Heritage Centre.

Parking along Redbank Plains Road is limited but Austin Street provides safe parking where our Heritage Bus will pick you up, bring you to Cooneana and take you back to your cars when you are ready to leave. On-site parking is only for cars displaying a disability card.