Ipswich in Spring 2019

MEET THE SCOTSMAN BEHIND THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF QUEENS PARK

He supervised the first glasshouse or hothouse in the park to propagate dahlias, particularly the red and white variety which was named after him. Bruce Glass, a direct descendant of Munro, joined other family members and council officers recently for the official unveiling. He said the family was pleased with the silhouette. “I think also the feeling is it would be good if there was more of this (recognition) happening for other prominent people who made some contribution in the past. “The term role model is appropriate for Alexander,” he said. For more in Ipswich’s heritage trails and historical makers visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/heritagetrails Subscribe free to Ipswich First news alerts at Ipswichfirst.com.au/subscribe

A Scotsman who made his way to Ipswich in 1882 via the Darling Downs left a lasting impression on the Ipswich of today as curator of Queens Park for 27 years. Alexander Munro is remembered with the first historical silhouette made of solid steel installed by Ipswich City Council to mark places of historical interest. In 1860 when Ipswich was declared a municipality Queens Park wasn’t much more than unkempt bush–land bordering the emerging township. It is one of Queensland’s oldest parks and was originally designed by Walter Hill, director of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, who supplied some of its early plants. When Alexander Munro was appointed as the park curator he took on the job of reshaping the land over a period of nearly three decades.

Image: Alexander Munro with his wife Mary Ann, daughter Christina and sons George and Alexander Jnr, 1890s (Robyn Buchanan Collection) Picture Ipswich

19