27 February 2013
23 February 2013
Kelly Gang saga continues: Truth of Dan Kelly’s fate stays a mystery
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| MYSTERY MAN: Dan Kelly, the bushranger’s brother, whose fate may remain unknown. |
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| The Truth from August 1, 1948. |
IT IS a debate that has been in play for 80 years.
When an Ipswich vagrant going by the name of James Ryan walked into the offices of The Truth newspaper in 1933 and said he was bushranger Dan Kelly it unleashed an enduring controversy.
Ryan is buried in the Ipswich General Cemetery and his links to Kelly are honoured at the site.
Before Ryan's claims, Dan Kelly was thought to have died in the Glenrowan hotel fire of 1880.
In 2005 Cairns author and historian Brian Stevenson debated Cr Paul Tully about the issue in Ipswich. Mr Stevenson does not believe Ryan was Kelly, while Cr Tully is open to the possibility that he was.
Mr Stevenson has listed the errors in Ryan's statements. In the 1933 Truth article, Ryan said his father's name was "Old Ned". Kelly's father was in fact John Kelly.
Ryan said his father was brought to Australia from Dublin in 1845 for poaching. John Kelly was brought to Australia in 1841 from Tipperary for the theft of two pigs.
Ryan said his mother's name was Kate. Kelly's mother's name was Ellen.
Stevenson lists other errors and told The QT that "we have on record a gentleman that doesn't know the name of his father, doesn't know the name of his mother and gets mixed up as to when they were in jail and when they died".
"He says Constable Fitzpatrick was shot through the heart, but Constable Fitzpatrick lived a reasonably long life and died in 1924. There are inaccuracies all the way through it," he said.
But Cr Tully said the shrewd Ryan had good reason to throw in some misleading titbits of information and that he might have been "keeping things up his sleeve just in case he was charged with murder".
"He believed when he went into the offices of The Truth that the statute of limitations prevented him being prosecuted after 50 years, but that is not true," he said.
"If you were facing murder charges you might throw up a few furphies just in case the police had you extradited. Maybe he was changing some of the information so that if he was charged he could claim it was just a joke.
"You talk to people who knew him like (local resident) John Harris and they swear that he was Dan Kelly. One of the key facts is that in 1934 he appeared at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds in sideshow alley where people paid to question him. He spoke about his family and the Kelly gang and no one was able to refute him or catch him out on any detail. The Truth newspaper reported that."
Cr Tully said the article in The Truth may have included "transcription errors" by the journalist.
"The story in the newspaper in 1933 was provided orally. But having seen a newsreel of this chap, he spoke with a slight speech impediment and was roughly spoken," he said
"Could the reporter take shorthand? Everyone is assuming that what was written in the newspaper was accurately reported, but I defy anyone in Australia to say they have never read an inaccurate report in a newspaper."
Mr Stevenson said Cr Tully had "drawn a pretty long bow".
"Journalists get things wrong occasionally, but not perpetually," he said.
"If you think you are going to get yourself in trouble for murdering somebody, you keep quiet. You don't get yourself written about in the Sunday papers."
Mr Stevenson said Ryan likely enjoyed having the attention focused on him and the "free drinks" at hotels that went with his tales.
When The QT visited Cr Tully to talk about the Kelly saga he presented us with Ryan's death certificate. It says he was 94 years of age when he died in 1948 and that his parents were Luke Ryan and Kate Lawler.
But the real Dan Kelly was born in 1861 and would have been 87.
Cr Tully said a further discrepancy pointed to Ryan's propensity to leave false trails about his true identity for much of his life.
"That death certificate raises more questions than it answers," he said.
"I have done an online search of Victorian historical birth records and they do not show any record of a person named James Ryan with parents with those names.
"Did he falsify his pension application where that information came from? It is a bizarre situation. Even in death he might have had the last laugh of keeping the truth concealed."
www.QT.com.au
22.2.13
22 February 2013
Ipswich City's icon is on cloud nine
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| OPTIMISTIC AIR: Leighton Properties’ Bradley Norris, Mayor Paul Pisasale, Cr Paul Tully and council’s commercial asset manager, Steve Bannister-Tyrrell. |
ICON Ipswich is on track for a September completion as construction of the ninth floor of the Bell St building is finished.
The $93 million tower will welcome 1200 public servants on October 1, the first day the Queensland Government's 15-year lease.
The "topping out" milestone was achieved on schedule, Leighton Properties project director Bradley Norris said.
"To see the exterior of the building taking shape is an exciting stage in the development's progress, and is a clear demonstration of the continued progress of Ipswich," he said.
"We are also on track to achieve practical completion by September 2013."
The 117 Brisbane St address covers 15,000sq m of commercial space together with 750sq m of ground floor retail.
Leighton Properties is continuing to progress negotiations with several national retailers for the ground floor retail tenancies.
Mayor Paul Pisasale said he remembered when the iconic Cribb and Foote store occupied the site.
Now the address is embarking on a new iconic future.
"This is only the start of the journey. We are talking about a very historic site that was the heart and soul of Ipswich," he said.
"The Icon Ipswich building will now become another icon. The hardest thing is to get the rest of the CBD going. The partnership between the CBD and Riverlink will become more important.
"This iconic landmark is supporting local jobs - it will boost our local economy and drive further commercial interest in Ipswich - helping to grow our city and the surrounding region."
Work began on Icon Ipswich in late 2011 as the CBD took its first steps towards a major overhaul.
Doubts whether the State Government could attract public servants to voluntarily work in Ipswich were raised when Premier Campbell Newman admitted public servants did not want to move.
But Cr Pisasale plans to hold an open day in a bid to convince public servants Ipswich is a great place to live and work.
Icon Ipswich
The second Icon Ipswich tower is expected to have eight levels.
It will be home to 1200 public servants.
www.QT.com.au
22.2.13
06 February 2013
25 January 2013
23 January 2013
22 January 2013
18 January 2013
11 January 2013
Breaking News: Flood Class action looms closer
Damian Scattini from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers announced: "It looks like there's a case to answer for the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam".
This is a very significant announcement for the 4000 flood victims who have already signed up for the class action.
08 January 2013
26 December 2012
The 1950 Supreme Court case of Goodna's wandering ducks
I was taking a stroll down memory lane through the digitised Trove newspaper library when I came across a story from Goodna 62 years ago.
The Courier-Mail sombrely reported on 2 September 1950 that John Sydney Egan and Helena Cecilia Egan of James Street Goodna (now Lower James Street) had claimed unspecified damages in the Queensland Supreme Court for trespass by their neighbour's wandering ducks owned by H. V. Davies of Woogaroo Street Goodna.
They also sought an injunction to stop any further trespass by the ducks.
They also sought an injunction to stop any further trespass by the ducks.
Talk about neighbourhood disputes.
It never has been - and never will be - dull in Goodna!
The Courier-Mail Saturday 2 September 1950
Straying ducks bring writ
Ducks, said to be straying at Goodna, resulted in the issue of a Supreme Court writ yesterday. John Sydney Egan and Helena Cecilia Egan, of James Street, Goodna, claimed unspecified damages from H. V. Davies, of Woorgaroo* Street. Goodna, for trespass on their land by permitting his ducks to stray there or by failing to prevent them from straying there.
They also claimed an injunction to restrain Mr. Davis, or his servants, workmen, or agents, from permitting the ducks to stray on the Egans' land. Messrs. Morris Fletcher and Cross acted for the Egans.
* misspelt by The Courier-Mail
The sequel to the story was a week later when the Acting Chief Justice granted the injunction - with costs - against Mr Davis to stop his ducks straying on Mr ands Mrs Egan's land.
The Courier-Mail Friday 8 September 1950Ducks no more to go a'roaming
THE Acting Chief Justice yesterday gave his decision against a flock of Goodna ducks.
He granted an injunction against their owner to restrain him from allowing his ducks to stray on a neighbouring property.
John Sydney Egan and his wife, Helena Cecilia Egan, of James Street, Goodna, applied for an injunction against Harold Vivian Davis, co-operative manager, Woogaroo Street, Goodna, to restrain him from allowing his ducks to stray on the Egans' property.
They claimed that the ducks were fouling a waterhole and were damaging the pasture.
Wire shortage
Mr. Graham Hart (for Davis) said that Davis did not claim that the ducks had a right on the Egans' land, but he was hampered by the shortage of wire netting. Since September 4 he had restrained the ducks from straying.
The Acting Chief Justice said that the damage caused by the ducks would not be of a large amount. However, Davis had written to the Egans stating that, after having received legal advice, he would continue to allow his ducks to stray. It appeared that since September 4 Davis had kept his ducks locked up and there had been no further trespass by them, but that was not an answer to the Egans' claim.
His Honour granted the injunction with costs against Davis. Mr. C. G. Wanstall (Instructed by Messrs. Morris. Fletcher and Cross) appeared for the Egans and Mr. Graham (by Messrs. R. G. Smith and Smith) for Davis.
26.12.12
25 December 2012
Merry Christmas to the people of Division 2 from Cr Paul Tully
Merry Christmas to the people of Division 2 - Augustine Heights, Bellbird Park, Camira, Gailes, Goodna and Redbank - and all local Ipswich residents.
My wife Liza and I wish you a very special
Christmas and we trust that 2013 will be a great year for you.
Wishing you and your family happy and peaceful time
during the festive season.
- PaulGTully@gmail.com
- PaulGTully@gmail.com
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| Cr Paul Tully |
Cr Paul Tully LLB JP (Qual) MMIA MMA
Councillor for Division 2
City of Ipswich
18 Queen St
PO Box 1
Goodna QLD 4300
Queensland's Longest-serving City Councillor 1979 - 2012
21 December 2012
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND for HEAVY RAINFALL For people in parts of the LOCKYER VALLEY, LOGAN CITY, IPSWICH CITY, DALBY, SCENIC RIM and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas. Issued at 2:41 pm Friday, 21 December 2012. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:45 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Boonah, Dalby and the area between Boonah and Beaudesert. These thunderstorms are moving towards the north to northwest. They are forecast to affect the area north of Dalby and Aratula by 3:15 pm and Jimboomba by 3:45 pm. Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely. 60mm of rainfall has been recorded in 1 hour near both Beaudesert and Boonah at 2:40pm.
18 December 2012
BOM Warning 3.06 pm: TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND for DAMAGING WIND, HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES For people in the SOMERSET and parts of the LOCKYER VALLEY, GYMPIE, MORETON BAY, IPSWICH CITY, DALBY, SOUTHERN DOWNS, SUNSHINE COAST, SCENIC RIM, SOUTH BURNETT and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas. Issued at 3:06 pm Tuesday, 18 December 2012. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:05 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Jimna, the area between Crows Nest and Cooyar, the area west of Toogoolawah and the ranges south of Jimna. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to southeast. They are forecast to affect the area west of Kingaroy, the area west of Conondale and the area southwest of Kingaroy by 3:35 pm and Mount Barney, Aratula, Mount Kilcoy and Conondale by 4:05 pm. Damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.
17 December 2012
16 December 2012
11 December 2012
10 December 2012
09 December 2012
07 December 2012
New alert at 12:51pm: TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND for HEAVY RAINFALL For people in parts of the GOLD COAST CITY, LOGAN CITY, REDLAND CITY and North Stradbroke Island Council Areas. Issued at 12:51 pm Friday, 7 December 2012. Slow moving thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Ormeau, Jacobs Well and Russell Island.
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND for HEAVY RAINFALL For people in parts of the GOLD COAST CITY, LOGAN CITY, SCENIC RIM, REDLAND CITY and North Stradbroke Island Council Areas. Issued at 12:14 pm Friday, 7 December 2012. Slow moving thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Boonah, Beaudesert and Beenleigh.
A walk in the park and into the past for Ipswich icon
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| HEARING HISTORY: Historian Robyn Buchanan and Ipswich Planning and Development chairman Paul Tully have launched a Queens Park audio tour covering historic sites around the park. |
QUEENSLAND'S oldest park can now be enjoyed and appreciated even more with the help of some of the newest technology.
An audio tour is being provided as part of the popular Ipswich Heritage Trails program and is available as a free download.
You can download the tour to your smart phone or PC - or hire an MP3 player from the Visitor Information Centre. Narrated by Ashley Mac, it includes 20 stops, taking about two hours.
Ipswich historian Robyn Buchanan wrote the script and yesterday revealed snippets about Queens Park including:
In its early days, some rare plants were stolen and others were nipped off by marauding goats.
Bands played there at night in the days before TV and it was also a venue for lovers to meet.
After a staunchly devoted groundsman was let go after 27 years, he angrily said he wouldn't have taken the job if he'd known it was a temporary position.
In the '30s when someone suggested swans would look good there, the mayor and his deputy went out, caught one and brought it back. Ipswich Heritage Consultative Committee chairman Bruce Casos praised the community's contribution to making the project a reality.
"Part of living in a city with as rich a history as Ipswich's is our duty to future generations to preserve this history so that young people grow up appreciating their local heritage," Cr Casos said.
Cr Paul Tully, who was at yesterday's launch of the audio tour in Queens Park said it was a great way for modern technology to be used and a great opportunity for the community to enhance their enjoyment of the park.
For more details see ipswichheritagetrails.com.au.
PARKLIFE
- Queens Park is Queensland's first park and is perhaps Ipswich's best-known landmark.
- Features include Nerima Gardens, play facilities, a cafe and the Environmental Education Centre.
www.QT.com.au
7.12.12
Project Yamanto: New southern hub for Ipswich
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| LOOKING AHEAD: Cr Charlie Pisasale and Cr Paul Tully discuss plans to turn Yamanto into a commercial and residential hub. |
Ipswich City Council has released of draft guidelines to guide the future development of Yamanto's commercial precinct and housing areas.
The council says these guidelines have been developed with input from key landowners and are designed to position Yamanto as a major centre incorporating retail and commercial businesses and housing surrounding the public transport hub.
Council planning and development head Cr Paul Tully said the opportunity now existed to redevelop Yamanto Central and its immediate surrounds to maximise the benefits of the proposed passenger rail transport corridor.
"It will also revitalise the centre and position the area for its future role as a major centre," Cr Tully said.
"We are planning to consult with local landowners from mid-January to the end of February 2013.
"The development of vibrant local centres providing shopping and services aligns with council's vision of a city of centres that ensures Ipswich residents have access to first-class services and retail outlets close to where they live and within an easy commute.
"Over the coming months, council will be writing to land-owners in the study area to gather their views on proposed guidelines and to set priorities for services in the area."
Cr Charlie Pisasale, whose division covers Yamanto, encouraged businesses in the area to get involved.
"Yamanto is a part of Ipswich with a great future," he said.
"With our growing population and rapidly evolving mix of local services and businesses it is vital that we get the development priorities right for the future.
"I encourage all local land owners in the study area to get involved and have their say."
www.QT.com.au
7.12.12
06 December 2012
The white "golf ball" dome on top of Mt Juillerat at Redbank Plains is back today after an absence of many months. This non-public weather station is claimed by many to be operated by the Bureau of Meteorology for the CIA in conjunction with the Australian Defence Department at Amberley as part of a global security network.
05 December 2012
04 December 2012
There is a small bushfire burning in the far south-eastern corner of the Flinders conservation Estate. QFRS have control of the incident and Council has a liaison officer present at the mobile incident control point. The QFRS are planning a back burn this evening in an effort to protect property just in Logan City Council to the east of the fire. There is no private or Council property at threat within Ipswich City area. As a precautionary measure the conservation area has been closed to the public. It is stressed that the fire is travelling slowly and has low flame height at this stage and the backburn is a precautionary measure to protect property. The backburn will not commence until appropriate weather conditions occur.
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