Five years ago the presses rolled for the last time on the print edition of the Queensland Times. Popular chief photographer and former postman Rob Williams was one of many made redundant across more than 100 News Corp mastheads. Rob joins the show to reflect on the forced changes to his career and reveals what shaped his interest in photography at an early age. Content note: One instance of coarse language. Published: 27 June 2025. Image: The Ipswich Photographer Rob Williams sketch by Chris Ow...
Jun 27, 2025•24 min•Ep. 452
Ipswich ratepayers hit with a surprise new charge, changes coming for busy intersection on Redbank Plains Road, Nicholas Street latest including the first hint council is actively preparing to offload commercial property in Ipswich Central, midwinter festivals, and Ipswich Civic Centre to mark 50 years. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the June meeting of Ipswich City Council. Interview recorded: 19 June 2025. Published: 20 June 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Stein...
Jun 20, 2025•17 min•Ep. 451
Two lanes are better than one on Mount Crosby Road overpass, free dental clinic opens at Silkstone, noise about RAAF noise, Willowbank Raceway’s 40th, festival time in Ipswich, Ipswich Civic Centre to mark 50 years and what's on at Ipswich Art Gallery. Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join the show for another yarn over the back fence. Published: 16 June 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Green Bins: https://www.ipswichfirst.com.au/here-we-go-free-green-bins-roll-out-ac...
Jun 16, 2025•19 min•Ep. 450
Ipswich council moves to save a majestic bottle tree in Marburg, Riverview Resource Recovery Centre in need of repairs, Animal Welfare League offers free vaccinations for cats and dogs, Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard calls for independent greyhound regulator after deaths reported at new track and a new name for Ipswich Hospital Foundation revealed. Published: 10 June 2025. Image: Century-old bottle tree in Lawrence Street Marburg (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Ipsw...
Jun 10, 2025•7 min•Ep. 449
What does carrot farming have to do with drag racing? Not a lot really, except if you are Phil Lamattina. Phil is one of the top competitors in the Top Fuel category. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of drag racing in Ipswich. Local identity Paul Casos joins the show with the story behind local families who bravely backed their instinct to support the establishment of Willowbank Raceway. Published: 6 June 2025. Image: Top Fuel champion Phil Lamattina (L) with Paul Casos at Rotary Club o...
Jun 06, 2025•22 min•Ep. 448
Extraordinary and embarrassing scenes with insensitive comments at this month’s meeting of Ipswich City Council, new city plan adopted, no end in sight to Warrego Highway woes at the Bremer River bridge and Mount Crosby Road overpass, disagreement over payments to Healthy Land and Water, increase in waste charges, still no word on the future use of council-owned land in Ellenborough Street and a call to recommence flood buy-backs. Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding joins the show. Interview recorded: ...
May 30, 2025•21 min•Ep. 447
Festival of Horsepower back for another year, Ipswich City Council takes on management of another community centre, new shows announced at Ipswich Civic Centre including Westmac’s Addams Family musical, and an early call for entries in the annual Ipswich Art Awards. Published: 27 May 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner National Reconciliation Week: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ Festival of Horsepower: www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/festival-of-horsepower Ipswich City C...
May 27, 2025•7 min•Ep. 446
A truck driving expert comments on the wind turbine under Mount Crosby Road overpass mishap, dogs and footpath parking among the top numbers in council’s quarterly report, final thoughts on the federal election result, could Ed Sheeran really come to Ipswich, and we reminisce about childhood picnics. Pro Drive’s Dave Cullen joins the show along with regulars Ashleigh Mac and Walter Williams for another yarn over the back fence. Recorded: 19 May 2025. Published: 20 May 2025. Theme music: AudioJun...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Ep. 445
Ipswich Libraries want to know how you feel about their services, unstoppable Ipswich where the population keeps growing, Adelong Avenue Thagoona and two eastern suburb parks get more love from council, West Moreton Health is recruiting and Ipswich City Council is closer to adopting its first new town plan since 2004. Published: 16 May 2025. Image: Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding at North Ipswich Bowls Club with back (L-R) Ken Cassie and Neil Brigginshaw and front (L-R) Vicki Cameron, Teresa Hardin...
May 16, 2025•8 min•Ep. 444
AI or Artificial Intelligence is here stay whether we like it or not. In this episode we explore what it is and, if you own a business, how it can be your best friend. Just like the telephone, light bulb, motor vehicle, printing press and umbrella which were initially scoffed at, AI is another world-changing breakthrough. My guest Ben Hayward explains more. Published: 14 May 2025. Image: Director of In Cahoots Co Ben Hayward (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner In Ca...
May 14, 2025•17 min•Ep. 443
Stray cats are a major environmental threat in Australia. They have contributed to the extinction of native animal species. Instead of trapping and killing, the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation says it has a better way to control the cat population. University of Queensland's Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand joins the show to explain more. Also in this episode, it’s show time, a flu and covid vax reminder and Exercise Talisman Sabre coming in July and August. Published: 9 May 2025. Image: UQ Eme...
May 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 442
It’s show time again in Ipswich. Show president Darren Zanow joins us to reveal what’s new and exciting in sideshow alley this year plus other highlights scheduled for the 2025 Ipswich Show. Also in this episode Rozina Daniels from Ipswich Pickleball Association explains what it is and hopes to entice you try out the game. Published: 3 May 2025. Image: Ipswich Pickleball Association logo (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Ipswich Show tickets: https://ipswichshow.c...
May 03, 2025•14 min•Ep. 441
The suspected councillor conduct breach levelled against Andrew Antoniolli has dragged on longer that anyone would have liked. At this week’s meeting of Ipswich City Council on Wednesday April 30 a report about his referral to the OIA and subsequent investigation was considered by all councillors. Cr Antoniolli joins this bonus episode of Ipswich Today. Published: 2 May 2025. Image: Ipswich councillor Andrew Antoniolli (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner AEC website...
May 02, 2025•10 min•Ep. 440
Controversy at Ipswich council meeting as councillors vote on Cr Andrew Antoniolli’s alleged misconduct, cemetery heritage project latest, finally a standard for suburb signs, Swifts saga resolved and a call for a new synthetic athletics track. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the April 30 meeting of Ipswich City Council. Recorded: 30 April 2025. Published: 1 May 2025. Image: Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding in the Ipswich suburb of Spring Mountain (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark...
Apr 30, 2025•14 min•Ep. 439
It has been 23 years since the first River Heart vision for Ipswich Central was unveiled, before Riverlink and the parklands were developed. In this special episode you’ll hear exclusive behind the scenes insights into how the original River Heart vision came to life and why. The vision itself was more than the parklands you see today. It was about a viable future for Ipswich CBD and North Ipswich against the backdrop of a substantial population growth. This wide-ranging conversation with former...
Apr 26, 2025•36 min•Ep. 438
Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac are back on the show for another yarn over the back fence. In this episode Easter holiday fun, we can’t escape the federal election campaign, council committee highlights including the proposal to help right a few wrongs from the past at Ipswich Cemetery, ArtsConnect popup shop in Booval Fair and Gout Gout has lost none of his star power after missing the Stawell Gift. Published: 23 April 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner AEC website: h...
Apr 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 437
Are you job hunting with the help of artificial intelligence? There are shortcuts to a great resume but what about the pitfalls. To help you avoid the traps when using AI University of Southern Queensland careers expert Dr Jennifer Luke joins the show with priceless advice to help you score that next job. Published: 15 April 2025. Image: UniSQ careers expert Dr Jennifer Luke (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Jennifer Luke: https://www.jenniferluke.com/ University ...
Apr 15, 2025•17 min•Ep. 436
At close of nominations last week 17 candidates are listed across the federal seats of Blair and Oxley. In this episode find out who is running and the ballot paper order. Plus, local rivers get a cleanup and the Ipswich Film Festival for Youth is back for another year. Published: 14 April 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Part of the haul of rubbish from council's cleanup of Bremer and Brisbane rivers (supplied) AEC website: https://www.aec.gov.au/election/cand...
Apr 14, 2025•7 min•Ep. 435
Campaigning is now in full flight for the May 3 poll. Shayne Neumann joins this episode. He was first elected to the seat of Blair in 2007 and has put his hand up to run again. What has he achieved, why much-needed infrastructure is yet to materialise and what he’s promising to get done if re-elected. Plus we talk about Ipswich Civic Centre, four-year terms and what, if any, influence Trump will have on the federal election result. Published: 7 April 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music a...
Apr 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 434
The first week of the federal election campaign throws up a few surprises, a prediction Shayne Neumann will win Blair, what Trump’s tariffs could mean for Ipswich and differences in voter sentiment between states. University of Southern Queensland's Emeritus Professor John Cole is an expert in social and economic development in regional Australia. He joins the show to talk about the biggest issues likely to influence regional voters, changes to how political parties campaign and their focus on s...
Apr 03, 2025•23 min•Ep. 433
Australian households could be hit with a $581 million annual pesticide bill if fire ant eradication efforts fail, a new report by the Australia Institute has revealed. In this episode Rod Campbell from the institute joins the show to explain a potential nationwide cost burden of more than $1 billion. Published: 31 March 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell (supplied) Australia Institute: https://australiainstitute...
Mar 31, 2025•12 min•Ep. 432
Suspected councillor conduct breach matter delayed until next month, new Ipswich planning scheme due to commence July 1, CEO contract renewed, the latest on proposed developments in WM Hughes Street North Ipswich and usefulness of sandbags questioned. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the March 27 meeting of Ipswich City Council. Recorded: 27 March 2025. Published: 28 March 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Ipswich City Council CEO Sonia Cooper (supplied...
Mar 28, 2025•13 min•Ep. 431
In this episode Ipswich City Council reveals allegations against councillor Andrew Antoniolli. Since publishing episode 429 earlier today council has published online late today the full agenda with attachments for Thursday’s council meeting. Published: 24 March 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Ipswich councillor Andrew Antoniolli (supplied) Ipswich City Council meeting agendas and minutes: bit.ly/2JlrVKY Council meetings on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/IpswichCi...
Mar 24, 2025•3 min•Ep. 430
Another big week for Ipswich councillors as they prepare for Thursday’s council meeting. Among other things on the agenda there’s a major $67 million green waste contract to vote on, a suspected councillor conduct breach, a report on the new Ipswich Planning Scheme and a contract renewal for CEO Sonia Cooper. Also in this episode microchip company goes offline, Cyclone Alfred by the numbers and Pete Murray is coming to Ipswich Civic Centre. Published: 24 March 2025. Image: Aerobatics pilots Matt...
Mar 24, 2025•12 min•Ep. 429
Alfred, the cyclone that was. Did we suffer from information overload? The war of words continues between Teresa Harding and Andrew Antoniolli, fire ants love a good flood, dog rego increase flagged as is a possible move for the Visitor Information Centre. All this and more with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac as we catch up for another yarn over the back fence. Published: 17 March 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Ipswich City Council meeting agendas and minutes: bit...
Mar 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 428
Cyclone Alfred gives Ipswich residents a scare as life returns to normal for most, however please spare a thought for those still dealing with the trauma of being flooded. Council flood mapping the best to date, radio maintains its relevance and superiority during an extended weather emergency and fire ants hitch a ride on floodwaters. Published: 12 March 2025. Image: Hancock Bridge prior to reopening on March 11 2025 (Mayor Harding Facebook) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steine...
Mar 12, 2025•6 min•Ep. 427
Councillors on their best behaviour with state government officials in the public gallery, media policy review taken behind closed doors, mayor back from Nerima, Singapore and Europe, and lots of talk about suburb entry signs after an underwhelming new Wulkuraka sign surprises everyone. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the February meeting of Ipswich City Council. Recorded: 28 February 2025. Published: 1 March 2025. Image: Mayor Teresa Harding and councillor Marnie Doyle visit Nerima Ci...
Mar 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 426
Ipswich's population reaches 260,000, now there are six candidates for Blair, Discover Ipswich what’s on makeover, bulk rubbish collection chalks up 12,000, South Street demolitions gather pace and a new First Nations midwifery program at Ipswich Hospital. Published: 27 February 2025. Image: Jaghu Midwifery Group Practice midwives Bethany Salter, Casey Morgan and Clare Crawford (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Discover Ipswich what's on: https://whatson.discoveri...
Feb 27, 2025•8 min•Ep. 425
Another surprise from Ash’s radio past, candidates are lining up for the seat of Blair, mayor back from Nerima visit, Cr Andrew Antoniolli declares low morale, former council buildings make way for new hospital car park, odour inquiry expands areas of interest and a call for local artists to create major works of public art. Time for another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. Published: 18 February 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Call for...
Feb 18, 2025•21 min•Ep. 424
A new year and a new president for Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce. Long-term president Phillip Bell announced he was stepping down earlier this month. In this episode meet new president David Wiltshire. Published: 14 February 2025. Image: New chamber president David Wiltshire (left) receives a welcome from Phillip Bell (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce: https://ipswichchamber.org.au/ Ipswich City Council meeting agendas and m...
Feb 13, 2025•7 min•Ep. 423
