IPSWICH residents are being called upon to help safeguard one of the city’s most treasured landmarks.
Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, built in 1920 by the community to honour those who served and sacrificed for Australia, has stood at the heart of the city for a century as a place of remembrance, reflection, and pride – but now it needs urgent repairs to secure its future.
Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Secretary Debbie Wadwell said the situation had become increasingly urgent, with repair works about 12 months behind schedule.
“We had hoped these repairs would already be underway,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the complexity of the investigations, heritage requirements and the need to ensure the right repair method meant the process has taken longer than anticipated. During that time, the floors have continued to sink.”
Engineers have confirmed the building remains structurally sound, but the sensitive nature of the work comes with a significant cost.
The Sub Branch faces a funding shortfall of around $250,000 to complete the repairs.
“This hall is more than timber and bricks,” Ms Wadwell said.
“It was built by the people of Ipswich to honour service, sacrifice and remembrance. For generations, it has held commemorations, farewells and moments of quiet reflection. We want it standing strong for another 100 years.
“It holds the stories, names and memories of our servicemen and women, and that makes it a sacred place.”
Ipswich City Council has played a critical role, providing financial support and consistent, transparent communication throughout the planning process.
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson and Division 3 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the partnership between Council and Ipswich RSL Sub Branch will continue.
“Council set aside $150,000 in its 2025-2026 Budget and a further $100,000 is proposed in 2026-2027 to progress necessary repairs to the building,” he said.
“Additionally, Council has submitted a grant application under the Honouring Our Veterans Grants Program – Major Capital Works.
“Exploratory work last year confirmed the project would be more complex and costly than initially anticipated.
Design work is ongoing, with construction expected to begin in late 2026 and completion projected for March 2027.”
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the restoration would help safeguard a building of deep community significance.
“Our heritage buildings are a reminder of what makes our city great, but they often require expensive maintenance and repairs,” she said.
Investigations have shown sections of concrete will need to be carefully removed.
Securing sufficient funding remains the biggest challenge.
Donations are not tax-deductible, crowdfunding efforts have been unsuccessful, and RSL welfare funds cannot be used on an asset the Sub Branch does not own.
Despite these obstacles, Ms Wadwell said the Sub Branch remained confident in the community’s support.
“This hall belongs to all of us,” she said. “Now, it needs all of us.”
Donations to support the preservation work can be made to Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Inc, BSB 633000, Account Number 132004532. For further information, contact the Sub Branch office on 3281 4159 or 0499 285 767.
