| Previous Members 1860-2001 |
Frederick Augustus FORBES
Born: Liverpool, New South Wales 1818
First Elected: 10 May 1860
Died: 9 July 1878
Frederick Forbes was elected as one of three inaugural members for the Queensland seat of Ipswich on 10 May 1860. He was defeated at the general election of 30 May 1863 but held the Warrego seat from March 1865 to July 1867 and West Moreton from September 1868 till his retirement in 1875, serving as chairman of committees in 1870-71 and Speaker in 1871-73.
Prior to entering politics, Forbes was a store keeper and grazier and was active in the Queensland Separation movement.
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Patrick O’SULLIVAN
Born: Castlemaine, Ireland 1818
First Elected: 10 May 1860
Died: 29 February 1904
Patrick O’Sullivan was elected as one of three inaugural members for the Queensland seat of Ipswich on 10 May 1860. Although he only lasted one term as MP for Ipswich, O’Sullivan’s career in Queensland politics spanned over 30 years. During this period he represented the seats of Ipswich, West Moreton, Burke and Stanley.
Prior to entering politics, O’Sullivan was a member of the British military. However, following accusations of assualt with a bayonet, he was sentenced to 15 years transportation and on July 21 1838 arrived in Sydney, as a convict, aboard the Bengal Merchant.
He was granted a ticket of leave on 20 February 1845 before arriving in Ipswich in 1847 where he settled as a store keeper.
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Arthur MACALISTER
Born: Glasgow, Scotland 1818
First Elected: 10 May 1860
Died: 23 March 1883
Arthur Macalister was elected as one of three inaugural members for the Queensland seat of Ipswich on 10 May 1860. Macalister served as secretary for public lands and works in the Herbert ministry in 1862 before taking over as Premier following Herbert’s resignation on 1 February 1866.
His ministry only lasted until 20 July 1866, when he resigned following Queensland’s Governor, Sir George Bowen’s, refusal to sanction a proposed issue of ‘inconvertible government notes’. Macalister became Premier again just one month later before resigning the following year and served as Secretary for goldfields, public lands and works and speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Macalister lost his seat in June 1871 but was re-elected for Ipswich on 6 March 1873 and served until 14 June 1876. (By this time the seat of Ipswich was a single member constituency.)
Macalister Street, located on Denmark Hill, Ipswich was named after the former Queensland Premier.
In 2003, local businessmen Jeff Cooper and Tom Edwards joined with the Ipswich Grammar School to purchase a portrait of Mr Macallister. Their contributions were coordinated by current Member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan. The portrait now hangs in the Queensland Parliament.
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Henry CHALLINOR
Born: England 1814
First Elected: 12 January 1861
Died: 9 September 1882
Henry Challinor was elected as one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich on 30 May 1863 until 26 September 1868. Prior to becoming an Ipswich MP, Challinor served as MP for West Moreton from 12 January 1861 until 30 May 1863.
During his 7 year career in Queensland politics, Challinor advocated strongly for widespread changes to the existing land policy allowing greater opportunity to small settlers. He also campaigned strongly for efficient agriculture, free secular education, political equality, religious tolerance and railway construction uninhibited by land grants.
As well as being a prominent Ipswich politician, Challinor also served as a medical practitioner in the Moreton Bay district. He remained as general practitioner until 1869, before being appointed the second medical superintendent of the Mental Asylum at Woogaroo (Goodna) to straighten out a scandal.
The Challinor Centre, an institution for people with mental disabilities that operation in Ipswich 1968 – 1997 was named after the former Ipswich MP and medical practitioner. The site has since been redeveloped as part of the University of Queensland Ipswich campus.
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Ratcliffe PRING
Born: Crediton, Devon, England 1825
First Elected: 30 May 1863
Died: 25 March 1885
Ratcliffe Pring was one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich and served from 30 May 1863 until 4 August 1866. Although Pring’s career as Ipswich MP was short-lived, his overall career in Queensland politics lasted 14 years. During this time, he served as the sitting member for the following seats: Eastern Downs (27 April 1860 – 22 March 1862); Ipswich (30 May 1863 – 4 August 1866); Burnett (22 April 1867 – 17 August 1870); Town of Brisbane (17 August 1870 – 11 January 1872); Carnarvon (25 November 1873 – 2 January 1874); Brisbane City (12 February 1878 – 15 November 1878); and Fortitude Valley (26 November 1878 – 28 May 1879).
Prior to entering Queensland politics, Pring practiced law in England and was admitted to the Bar of the Inner Temple in 1849. In 1853 he migrated to Australia and served as a lawyer in New South Wales before being appointed resident Crown Prosecutor in Brisbane in March 1857 and Queen’s Counsel in 1868.
Pring was Attorney-General on 6 separate occasions during his political career and was the unofficial leader of the Opposition during his three-year period as Ipswich MP.
Pring Street, located in central Ipswich, was named after the former Attorney-General.
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Henry Caleb WILLIAMS
Born:
First Elected: 26 September 1868
Died:
Henry Williams was one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich and served from 26 September 1868 – 12 August 1870.
Williams was also Mayor of Ipswich in 1868 and was an Alderman of Ipswich City Council from 1866-1867 and 1869.
Williams Street, located at Woodend, derives its name from the former Ipswich politician.
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John Malbon THOMPSON
Born: Sydney 1830
First Elected: 26 September 1868
Died: 30 May 1908
John Thompson was elected as one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich on 26 September 1868 and served until 14 November 1873. He also served as member for Bremer from 25 November 1873 – 15 November 1878 before returning to the newly-formed dual member seat of Ipswich from 15 November 1878 – 27 July 1881.
During his career in Queensland politics, Thompson held roles as Chairman of Committees (1868 – 1870), Secretary for Lands (1870 – 1873), Secretary for Public Works (1873 - 1874) and Minister for Justice (January 1878 – May 1879).
Thompson was committed to representing the people of Ipswich and placed the interests of his electorate ahead of those of his parliamentary colleagues. This was demonstrated by his willingness to resign as minister and join the Opposition following the retrenchment of public servants at Ipswich.
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George McCullough REED
Born:
First Elected: 4 August 1866
Died:
George Reed served as one of the three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich from 4 August 1866 until 19 June 1867.
Benjamin CRIBB
Born: Poole, Dorset, England in 1807
First Elected: 12 August 1870
Died: 11 March 1874
Benjamin Cribb was elected as one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich on 12 August 1870 and served until 14 November 1873. He had previously served as the sitting member for West Moreton (26 April 1861 – 2 July 1867) and for the New South Wales seat of Stanley Boroughs (1 February 1858 – 11 April 1859).
Prior to entering politics, Cribb was a London-based merchant. In 1849, he migrated to Australia and established himself as a general merchant in Ipswich.
Although Cribb was only Ipswich MP for a short period, his overall contribution to the city of Ipswich was significant. He was instrumental in establishing economic and social development in Ipswich during the 1850s. In particular, he founded the Moreton Bay Immigration and Land Company and co-founded Cribb and Foote Merchant Bankers (1854).
Cribb was also a founder and Trustee of Ipswich Grammar School.
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John MURPHY
Born:
First Elected: 19 June 1867
Died:
John Murphy was elected as one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich on 19 June 1867 and served until 12 August 1870.
Murphy was also a key figure in local Ipswich politics, serving as Mayor of Ipswich on five occasions. The feat earned him the popular title of ‘Murphy, the Mayor.’
Murphy Street and Murphy Lane were both named after the former Ipswich mayor.
John JOHNSTON
Born:
First Elected: 12 August 1870
Died:
John Johnston was elected as one of three sitting members for the seat of Ipswich on 12 August 1870 and served until 9 October 1872.
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Single Member Constituency 1873 – 1878
George Henry THORN
Born: 1840 in Ipswich
First Elected: 20 June 1876
Died: 13 January 1905
George Thorn was member for Ipswich from 20 June 1876 until 18 Febuary 1878. Although Thorn’s career as Ipswich MP was short-lived, his overall career in Queensland politics spanned 35 years. During this time, he served as the sitting member for the following seats: West Moreton (2 July 1867 – 18 November 1873); Fassifern (25 November 1873 – 9 January 1874; 4 August 1887 – 10 May 1888; 6 May 1893 – 11 March 1902); Ipswich (20 June 1876 – 18 February 1878); and Northern Downs (17 April 1879 – 7 September 1883).
Thorn had a distinguished political career and undertook a range of high-profile portfolios. These included: Premier, Postmaster-General, Secretary for Public Works and Mines and Secretary for Public Lands and Mines.
George Thorn was also a resident of Claremont during the early 1870s.
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John MacFARLANE
Born:
First Elected: 7 March 1878
Died:
John MacFarlane served as the sitting member in the single member constituency of Ipswich from 7 March 1878 until 15 November 1878 and also served as one of two sitting members in the dual member constituency of Ipswich from 15 November 1878 until 7 March 1894.
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Dual Member Constituency 1878 – 1912
Josiah FRANCIS
Born:
First Elected: 8 August 1881
Died:
Josiah Francis served as one of two sitting members for the seat of Ipswich from 8 August 1881 until 21 August 1883.
He also served as Mayor of Ipswich from 1878 – 1879.
William SALKELD
Born:
First Elected: 21 August 1883
Died:
William Salkeld served as one of two sitting members for the seat of Ipswich from 21 August 1883 – 5 May 1888.
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James WILKINSON
Born: 1853 in Ipswich
First Elected: 31 March 1894
Died:
James Wilkinson served as one of two members for the seat of Ipswich from 31 March 1894 – 21 March 1896.
Wilkinson was educated in Ipswich, attending both state and grammar schools. During his early years he was an engine-driver and railways unionist before serving as Ipswich council Alderman.
Wilkinson represented the Labor Party during his period in state politics and continued his Labor Party membership until 1900. In 1901, he ran for the federal seat of Moreton as an independent labour candidate, though he was also described as a protectionist. Wilkinson subsequently won the seat and was elected to the House of Representatives on 30 March 1901 and served until 12 December 1906.
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Thomas Bridson CRIBB
Born: 1845 in London
First Elected: 21 March 1896
Died: 4 September 1913
Thomas Cribb represented the Ministerialist Party and served as one of two sitting members for the seat of Ipswich from 21 March 1896 until 27 August 1904. During this period he served as Treasurer from 1 February 1902 – 17 September 1903.
Unfortunately, his period as Treasurer contributed to his political defeat in 1904. This is because he was the first Treasurer to introduce income tax in Queensland.
Cribb was a foundation pupil at Ipswich Grammar School, Queensland’s first secondary school. After school, he entered his father’s mercantile and banking business before assuming a career in Queensland politics.
As well as serving as MLA for 8 years, Cribb was also a member of the Legislative Council (23 May 1893 – 13 March 1896; and 14 June 1913 – 4 September 1913).
Cribb continued to maintain an active profile within the Ipswich community following his exit from politics serving as Chairman of Trustees at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School and president of the Ipswich Cambrian Choir.
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Andrew Henry BARLOW
Born: 1836 in Wanstead, Essex, England
First Elected: 5 May 1888
Died: 29 March 1915
Andrew Barlow represented the Ministerialist Party and served as one of two sitting members for the seat of Ipswich from 5 May 1888 until 21 March 1896.
Barlow migrated with his father to Sydney in 1848 before assuming a career as a bank officer. In 1851, he joined the Bank of Australasia and eventually became manager of the Ipswich branch in 1878.
Barlow was elected to the Queensland parliament in 1888 and was reknowned for his opposition to Chinese immigration; support for the eight-hour bill; and support for plural voting (he believed that unrestrained democracy fostered despotism).
During his period in Queensland politics, Barlow served as Secretary for Public Lands and Agriculture, Government Representative in Legislative Council, Secretary for Public Instruction and Minister without portfolio. As Minister without portfolio, he often substituted for other ministers and was often acting Premier.
Barlow had a colourful career and was severely criticised for his role in the Queensland National Bank scandal which led to allegations of gross mismanagement amounting almost to corruption. He was also bitterly hostile to socialism and the Labor Party.
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William John Ryott MAUGHAN
Born: 1863
First Elected: 27 August 1904
Died: 10 April 1933
William Maughan represented the Labor Party as one of two members for the seat of Ipswich from 27 August 1904 until 27 April 1912.
During his period in Queensland politics, Maughan acted as Chairman of Committees (10 March 1908 – 25 August 1909). Maughan also served as member for Burnett (28 May 1898 – 25 March 1899) and was elected to the federal Senate from 1 July 1913 – 30 July 1914 and again from 5 September 1914 – 30 June 1920.
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Alfred John Stephenson
Born:
First Elected: 21 March 1896
Died:
Alfred Stephenson represented the Ministerialist Party and was one of two members for the seat of Ipswich from 21 March 1896 until 11 March 1902. Stephenson also served as a member of the Legislative Council from 3 July 1914 – 4 December 1914.
In addition to his roles as MLA and member of the Legislative Council, Stephenson was also Mayor of Ipswich (1907) and director of the Queensland Times newspaper.
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Single Member Constituency 1912- present
Sir James William BLAIR
Born: 1870 in Ipswich
First Elected 11 March 1902
Died: 18 November 1944
Sir James Blair represented the Ministerialist and Opposition paries and was one of two members for the seat of Ipswich from 11 March 1902 – 27 April 1912. Blair was also elected to the newly-formed single seat constituency of Ipswich from 27 April 1912 – 22 May 1915.
Blair was educated at Ipswich West State School and Ipswich Grammar School and studied law at the University of Sydney before returning to Queensland where he was admitted to the Queensland Bar in 1894.
Blair had a distinguished career in Queensland politics overlooking a range of portfolio roles including Attorney-General, Secretary for Mines and Secretary for Public Instruction.
Blair State School at Sadliers Crossing is named in Sir James Blair’s honour.
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David Alexander GLEDSON
Born: Saintfield, Down, Ireland 1877
First Elected: 22 May 1915
Died: 14 May 1949
David Gledson served as MLA for Ipswich from 22 May 1915 – 11 May 1929 and then again from 11 June 1932- 14 May 1949. Born in Ireland in 1877, Gledson migrated with his family to Queensland in 1885 and attended Bundamba State School.
At the age of 13, Gledson left school to become a coal miner at Tivoli. During his time as a miner, Gledson developed a strong passion for unionism and Labor politics and was instrumental in establishing the Queensland Colliery Employees Union after the 1905 strikes.
Gledson was first elected MLA for Ipswich in 1915 and was promoted to Cabinet on 21 October 1925. After losing his seat in 1929, Gledson was returned as MLA for Ipswich in 1932. Gledson served as Attorney-General from 1941 up until his death in 1949.
Gledson Street, located at North Booval, derives its name after the former Ipswich MP.
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James Ernest WALKER
Born: Melbourne 1869
First Elected: 11 May 1929
Died: 9 November 1939
James Walker served one term as Country Party member for Ipswich from 11 May 1929 until 11 June 1932.
Walker was educated at Scots College, Ballarat and the University of Sydney. Prior to entering politics, Walker founded the legal and real estate firm of Walker and Walker in 1901. He also served as director of the Ipswich Woollen Company and was an Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School trustee.
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James DONALD
Born: Redbank, Ipswich 1895
First Elected: 22 May 1946
Died: 4 May 1979
James (Jim) Donald served as MLA for Bremer from 25 May 1946 – 28 May 1960 and continued as a Labor MP from 28 May 1960 until his retirement on 17 May 1969 as MLA for Ipswich East. Donald’s 23-year career in politics was highlighted by his promotion to Queensland Opposition Leader in 1958.
Donald received his primary education at Redbank and Ipswich state schools before becoming a cabinet-maker and later entering the mining industry as a winding-engine driver. Donald became very active within the union movement during his time as a winding-engine driver and later became state secretary of the Queensland Colliery Employees’ Union before entering politics.
The State Government named a public housing development in central Ipswich after Jim Donald in July 2006.
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Ivor MARSDEN
Born: Silkstone, Ipswich 1903
First Elected: 10 September 1949
Died: 17 November 1976
Ivor Marsden served as Labor MLA for Ipswich from 10 September 1949 until 28 May 1960. Following a re-zoning of the seat, Marsden became Member for Ipswich West from 28 May 1960 before retiring from politics on 28 May 1966.
Marsden received his primary school education in Ipswich before serving as a local law clerk during the 1920s. Prior to entering politics, Marsden worked as a local estate agent and also served three years in the army during World War Two.
He later served as Ipswich City Council Alderman and was promoted to Vice-Mayor in 1949.
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Evan MARGINSON
Born: Chorley, Lancashire, England 1909
First Elected: 17 May 1969
Died: 16 November 1939
Evan Marginson served as MLA for Ipswich East from 17 May 1969 – 27 May 1972 and continued as a Labor MP from 27 May 1972 until 18 October 1977 as member for Wolston. During his period in state politics, Marginson served as Opposition whip form 1973 until 1977.
Marginson migrated to Queensland with his family in 1912 and was later educated at Ipswich Boys’ Central School and Ipswich State High and Technical College. Prior to entering state politics, Marginson worked as an Ipswich law clerk from 1923 until 1937.
He also served as an Ipswich City Council Alderman from 1952 until 1970. During this period he served two terms as Deputy Mayor (1952-55 and 1958- 1970).
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Sir Llewellyn Roy EDWARDS
Born: Ipswich 1935
First Elected: 27 May 1972
Sir Llew Edwards served as MLA for Ipswich from 27 May 1972 before retiring from politics on 22 October 1983. During his period in state politics, Edwards served as Minister for Health from 1974 – October 1978, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health from October 1978 – December 1978 and Treasurer and Deputy Premier from December 1978 – August 1983. Edwards also served as leader of the Liberal Party from 1978 – 1983.
Edwards was educated at Raceview and Silkstone state schools, Ipswich Grammar School, Ipswich Technical College and the University of Queensland.
Prior to entering politics, Edwards was a qualified electrician and medical practitioner.
Edwards continues to play a significant role in Ipswich and is currently Chancellor of the University of Queensland.
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David John HAMILL
Born: Ipswich 1957
First Elected: 22 October 1983
David Hamill served as Labor MLA for Ipswich from 22 October 1983 before retiring from politics on 17 February 2001. During his period in state politics, Hamill served as Minister for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Economic and Trade Development from 1989 to 1995, Minister for Education from 1995 to 1996 and Treasurer of Queensland from 1998 to 2001.
Hamill was educated at Silkstone State School, Bremer State High School and the University of Queensland. He was Queensland’s Rhodes Scholar in 1979 and studied at The Queen’s College, Oxford where he completed a Master of Arts in Politics and Economics.
During his career in Queensland politics, Hamill oversaw great development of the Ipswich region and was instrumental in establishing the University of Queensland, Ipswich campus, The Workshops Rail Museum at North Ipswich and the Ipswich Art Gallery.
Since leaving politics, Hamill has completed a PhD in political science and commenced a successful business career. He continues to live in Ipswich and contributes to the community as Chair of The Workshops Rail Museum Advisory Committee and Chair of the UQ-Boilerhouse Community Advisory Committee.
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