Ipswich opens Australia's first dedicated public children's library

Ipswich City Council has opened the country's first dedicated Children's Library, located on the ground floor of the new Administration Building, in the heart of the revitalised Nicholas Street Precinct.  The library has more than 35,000 items just for kids, two life-sized dinosaurs suspended from the ceiling, unique multi-reality interactive experiences, kid focused programs and events and hands-on tech adventures designed for children,

Contact Brenton Waters 3801 6784/ 0439 667 354

Celebrate World Chocolate Day

On July 7 we're celebrating all things chocolate for World Chocolate Day with a loaded chocolate churros dessert from Ruby Chews.

The decadent chocolate dessert isn't usually on the menu so grab it while you can.  It's Churros with chocolate ice cream, choc fudge sauce, whipped cream and chocolate flake.  Death by chocolate anyone?

Contact Alexis Poulsen 0466 111 102

Animal Encounters revamped

A new and improved Animal Encounters product has been developed to showcase more of the behind the scenes work done at the centre and include zoo-keepers even more.  The product launched these school holidays.

Contact Carly Morrissey 3810 7712

New experience - Bonsai workshops

New Bonsai workshops are being launched this month (July 10) with an experienced Japanese teacher Kim Rochelle-Brown, from Lilliannah Bonsai.  The workshops are run for a full day and include a tour of Nerima Gardens.

Contact Carly Morrissey 3810 7712

SPARK starts this month

The people, places, arts and culture of Ipswich will be celebrated when the 11-day city-wide festival SPARK Ipswich is held this July. The festival will take music, comedy, arts, exhibitions, circus, projection, culture, cabaret, technology, collaboration and industry discussion across the city.  A major drawcard of the festival is set to be SPARK After Dark, which will include three major light installations within walking distance of each other in the Ipswich CBD.

The works of 11 local artists will be profiled like never before as part of deLight when they are projected onto the iconic St Mary's Church.   Families are a big focus throughout SPARK Ipswich, with the first contemporary music and arts festival for children, called Little Day Out, to engage the young and young at heart.

With a focus on sustainability, Little Day Out at Ripley Town Centre will be bursting with music, hands-on arts experiences, roving entertainment, food and fun. SPARK on Tour takes the action city-wide with the family-friendly production Chores and Circus Ipswich workshops hitting the road for events at Peak Crossing, Rosewood, Brassall and Goodna.

Music lovers will be spoiled for choice, with 16 acts across eight sessions taking over four live music venues along Brisbane Street, between Waghorn and West Streets, for an epic night of indie live music.

Two of Ipswich's oldest musical institutions – Ipswich Orpheus Chorale and Amberley Brass – along with Jam Pact will join forces with Camerata – Queensland's Chamber Orchestra - for a festival highlight, the Best of British concert at St Mary's Church.

SPARK Ipswich starts July 8 and runs to July 18.  

Contact Brenton Waters 3801 6784/ 0439 667 354

For images or famil enquiries don't hesitate to get in touch - 3810 7712 carly.morrissey@ipswich.qld.gov.au