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The Queensland Times

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The Queensland Times
Company typeOnline newspaper
IndustryMedia, News
FoundedJuly 4, 1859; 167 years ago (1859-07-04) in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
FounderWalter Gray, H.M. Cockburn, Arthur Macalister, John Rankin
Headquarters
Ipswich
,
Australia
Area served
Ipswich and surrounding regions in Queensland, Australia
ProductsNews publication (online)
OwnerNews Corp Australia
Websitewww.qt.com.au

The Queensland Times operates as an online newspaper catering to Ipswich and its neighboring regions in Queensland, Australia. Currently owned by News Corp Australia, it reports a weekday circulation of 10,804 copies and increases to 14,153 on Saturdays.

Its coverage area includes Ipswich suburbs such as Springfield, Springfield Lakes, and Brookwater, alongside rural communities like Harrisville, Rosewood, Laidley, Forest Hill, Lowood, Boonah, Aratula, Gatton, Esk, and Toogoolawah. The publication’s digital platform is integrated within the APN Regional News Network.

History

Established on 4 July 1859 under the name Ipswich Herald, The Queensland Times holds the distinction of being Queensland’s longest-running provincial newspaper. Despite facing adversities including fires and equipment failures, it managed continuous publication until a printer strike interrupted operations in 1972.

Initially created to advocate for Ipswich as the capital of the Moreton Bay colony during its separation from New South Wales, the paper was purchased in 1861 by Hugh Parkinson and associates who rebranded it as The Queensland Times. They positioned the publication as an opponent to Brisbane-centric governance. Under editor John Charlton Thompson, the paper also influenced urban planning initiatives in Bundaberg. Remarkably, William Kippen advanced from a paper vendor in 1862 to chairing the board by 1914.

Throughout the 1860s to 1880s, this bi-weekly newspaper outperformed local competitors. On 8 October 1861, it merged and adopted the title The Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser. The paper transitioned into a morning daily in 1899; however, economic downturns necessitated a tri-weekly schedule until daily circulation was reinstated in 1908.

Once part of the APN News & Media Ltd Group portfolio, ownership later transferred to News Corp Australia. In June 2020, reflecting News Corp’s strategic realignment, The Queensland Times discontinued its print format to operate solely as an online news source.

Digitisation

As part of the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program managed by the National Library of Australia, The Queensland Times archives have been digitised for public access.

The Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser

The Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser was Ipswich’s second newspaper title, founded in 1859 by advocates of Central Queensland’s separation from New South Wales. It merged with another publication in October 1861 to form the Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser. This paper emerged as a prominent platform championing settlement expansion and resource development across Queensland. Today, it is recognized as The Queensland Times, the state’s oldest continuously operating newspaper.

History

The founders—Walter Gray, H.M. Cockburn, Arthur Macalister, and John Rankin—were all proponents of Central Queensland’s separation.[1] Its inaugural issue appeared on 4 July 1859 with Edmund Gregory—formerly associated with the Sydney Morning Herald—serving as publisher and editor.[1]

This first edition coincided with Queen Victoria’s official declaration establishing Queensland as an independent colony separate from New South Wales.[1]

Among three regional newspapers active in Queensland during the 1850s,[2] it was the second publication launched in Ipswich after The North Australian.[3] In 1861, Gregory departed for the Moreton Bay Courier (now known as the Courier-Mail). Subsequently, Hugh Parkinson, F. Kidner, and J. Sloman—former staff members of The North Australian—acquired the paper and renamed it Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, expanding its scope to represent broader Queensland interests.[1]

In 1874, operations moved from Ellenborough Street to "Dowden's corner" following railway acquisition of the original premises.[3]

Digitisation

The Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser has been made available in digital format as part of the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program, an initiative managed by the National Library of Australia.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ICC
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kirkpatrick 2008 29
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 40th
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