About the Chamber

The Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry was launched on 31 May 1906 at a public meeting held in the Technical College on Limestone Street.

The formation of the Chamber emerged in response to the growing and diverse business activities in the wider Ipswich region including retail, mining, milling, heavy industry and a wide range of farming interests. Speakers at the launch included the president of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, Mr A.J. Carter and T.C. Beirne. Mr Ambrose J. Foote of the famed Ipswich retail icon Cribb and Foote moved the first resolution - "That in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable that a Chamber of Commerce and Industry should be established in Ipswich".

The very first Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed forty financial members who then elected Ambrose Foote as the first president.

The agenda for the Chamber in its first year is much the same as today: to promote the best interests of local business and industry and to discuss anything affecting the best interests of the city and surrounding districts.

The Chamber's membership of forty in its first year has grown to number in the hundreds today. This is a tribute to the breadth of business resilience and talent in our region, and to the Chamber's commitment to renewal in order to meet the evolving and changing needs of members.

The Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry continues to builds on its proud past and look to the future with positivity and confidence.

Past Presidents

2010-2011 Michael Munt
2009-2010 Michael List
2007-2009 Martin Corkery
2005-2007 Craig Thomas
2002-2005 Tony Russel
1999-2002 Neil Harding
1997-1998 Mark Edwards
1995-1996 Neal Axelby
1995-1995 Leon Rose
1993-1995 Bob Townsend
1991-1993 Drena Strange
1990-1991 Peter James
1989-1990 Mark Willis
1988-1989 Neil Russell
1986-1987 Mark Hoepner
1985-1986 Jon Richardson (deceased)
1983-1985 John Roberts
1982-1983 Mark Willis
1978-1982 Col Ryan