Ceremony to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of the David Trumpy Bridge

Past and present elected representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I thank the Mayor for his invitation to join you all for this important occasion.

The opening of this bridge in 1965 by the then Administrator of Queensland, and later Governor, Sir Alan Mansfield, was a major event.

The David Trumpy Bridge did far more than link East Street and Pine Street.  

It provided a substantial, modern connection across the Bremer that increased cross-river traffic. Over the decades, the bridge has accelerated the growth and development of Ipswich.  

Sir Alan would be astounded were he here today, particularly by the development on the northern side of the river.

This bridge replaced another structure that began life as a combined rail/road bridge. As it happens, this year marks the 150^th anniversary of that first bridge.

However, the focus today is this structure, sitting high above the Bremer.  It is almost beyond belief that, in 1974, floodwaters came within a few feet of the carriageway. 

The bridge escaped damage then and in 2011. Ipswich was not so fortunate. But its resilient community recovered and rebuilt.   

It could be said that the bridge brought communities on both sides of the river closer together.  In doing so it aptly reflects the life of the person after whom it was named, Dr David Trumpy, who served Ipswich for nearly 50 years as Medical Superintendant at Ipswich Hospital.

I understand Dr Trumpy was at the opening. I am delighted that one of his descendants is here today, half a century later.

Inevitably, this bridge will need to be supplemented as Ipswich continues to grow.

But it remains a testament to the local government figures who commissioned it, those who, designed, engineered and constructed it – and a memorial to a great community builder in Dr Trumpy.

As Sir Alan Mansfield would have done 50 years ago, I thank and congratulate all those involved for their vision, professionalism and service to the community. 

And it is with great pleasure that I now join Mayor Pisasale in unveiling a plaque to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the David Trumpy Bridge. Thank you.