Since the dismissal of the former Council in 2018, we have identified, catalogued and stored a large number of items either purchased with Council monies, donated to Council, or were temporarily in the possession of Council.

It was determined in March 2021 by the newly elected Council that these items be sold via auction, returned to the original owner, or donated to community groups and charities. Proceeds from auction/s are to be committed to a special community funding program.

In November 2021, the process to sell, return or donate the items commenced. This was done through:

• Public auction
• Calling for identified owners to claim items
• Donation event for community groups, not-for-profits and members of the public
• Council retaining items identified as being gifts to the city

In 2022, Council confirmed that the proceeds from the memorabilia auction would fund the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Funding Program. This non-recurring program will assist groups within the Ipswich local government area (LGA).

Applications for funding were open from 14 February 2022 to 27 March 2022.

Eligible organisations were assessed on a case-by-case basis for up to 80 per cent of the project costs to a maximum of $10,000.

Applications were encouraged from not-for-profit community organisations, registered charities, or registered school or P&C, and are based in the Ipswich LGA, or deliver the project solely within the Ipswich LGA.

For more information on the distribution of items and the successful applicants for funding visit the Transparency and Integrity Hub.