Ipswich Today

It is 40 years since the devastating Reids fire in Ipswich CBD. In this special episode we remember that day which many said was the day the heart was ripped out of the city centre. In March 2020 I spoke with Lisa Jarrold, former centre manager of Ipswich City Square. Lisa was one of thousands of Ipswich workers and residents who woke to the news. You’ll hear eyewitness accounts from 1985. Also in this episode VP80 commemorations and events.
Published: 17 August 2025.
Image: Ipswich City Council loaders clear Bell Street in August 1985 following the fire which destroyed Reids (Picture Ipswich/Queensland Times/Ipswich First)
Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner
Additional production music: https://www.purple-planet.com/home
Fire scene audio: BTQ7 news
Ipswich City Council meeting agendas and minutes: bit.ly/2JlrVKY
Ipswich Art Awards: www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/ipswich-art-awards
Council meetings on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/IpswichCityCouncilTV
Ipswich Planning Scheme: https://bit.ly/3g4Jwb7
Inside Ipswich: https://ipswichtoday.com.au/inside-ipswich/
Ipswich City Council: www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/
Shape Your Ipswich: www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/
Ipswich Civic Centre: www.ipswichciviccentre.com.au/
Ipswich Festivals: https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/
Black Swan Art (David Pearce): https://www.blackswanart.com.au/
Ipswich Art Gallery: www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/
Ipswich Community Gallery: https://ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/community/ipswich-community-gallery
Discover Ipswich: www.discoveripswich.com.au/
Discover Ipswich what's on: https://whatson.discoveripswich.com.au/
Workshops Rail Museum: https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/rail-workshops
Ipswich Libraries: www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/
Studio 188: www.studio188.com.au/
Nicholas Street Precinct: www.nicholasst.com.au/
Picture Ipswich: www.pictureipswich.com.au/
Lost Ipswich Facebook: https://bit.ly/3pLLBwNc

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Ipswich Today recommended listening: Twenty Thousand Hertz - stories behind the world's most recognisable and interesting sounds https://www.20k.org/ 

What is Ipswich Today?

Local voices, news, commentary and community information for residents and businesses in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Originally launched as Ipswich Election Watch 27 February 2020 the show was renamed Ipswich Today 23 April 2020. www.ipswichtoday.com.au