OUR recent hot spell takes me back to memories of my teenage years and the Jim Gardiner pool in Limestone Park.
I remember Nobby O’Brien chastising us for bomb dives, duck diving for coins in the deep end, cooling down then being hot again from the walk home.
The pool was always busy, especially when the mercury was rising. Sadly, the pool was ripped up in 2000.

SOFTBALL CHAMPS
Congrats to Ipswich Softball trio, Josh Routledge, Aiden Blackmore and Corie List who won the National Softball U23s playing for Queensland on the weekend.
Well done boys. Last weekend Archie Graham also won the Australian Open Singles and Doubles titles for people with intellectual impairment.
Winter sports are currently signing up players with rugby league, soccer and hockey clubs having sign on days.
If you wish to play winter sport this year, check the FB page of your local clubs for details.

DIAMOND CELEBRATIONS
Ian and Val Shelton have just celebrated 60 years of marriage.
They were married at St Paul’s on the February 2, 1963, and lived in the house they built in Eastern Heights.
Val worked at the telephone exchange, and Ian worked at Beirne Pty Ltd. In 1969 they moved to Lowood where they raised six children, and now have 13 grandchildren and two step great grandkids.
Ian later worked at Cribb & Foote and then at Ipswich Hardware until he retired.
They’ve been involved in community for 60 years with youth groups, scouting and gardening.
Both have received Service Awards and Val was ‘Citizen of the Year’ in 2021.
Val has been a big supporter of QCWA West Moreton Division and today they are both still busy with Ipswich Orchid Society
SCHOOL TRADITION
It’s good to see the old Blackstone School has been re-purposed keeping the character of the original buildings.
Hello Doctor and After Hours Clinic opened their doors there last week for business, and we wish them all the best.
DECADE FOR COLES
Coles in town celebrated 10 years in business on Tuesday after raising the store after the 2011 flood.
While they suffered damage to their lift and escalator last year, the store was still in business unlike Hogs Breath hat only reopened last week after extensive renovations from last year’s flood.
Have a great week, and remember to support local at every opportunity, and stay hydrated.