Local projects sought for 2010 Viva Cribb bursary

THE Ipswich City Council is once again honouring one of the city's late leading residents with the third year of the Viva Cribb Bursary.

Ms Cribb was the great granddaughter of Benjamin Cribb who was the founder of Cribb and Foote Department Store, established in Bell St, Ipswich in 1849 as London Stores.

She passed away in June 2006, aged 86, but her memory is living on through the Viva Cribb Bursary on offer from Ipswich City Council through the Ipswich Library and Information Service.

Tourism and Library Services Committee Chairperson Councillor David Pahlke said applications for the 2010-2011 Viva Cribb bursary could be lodged from January 18.

"The Viva Cribb Bursary supports individuals in Ipswich as they research and compile local histories," Cr Pahlke said.

"The grant is named in honour of Ms Cribb who demonstrated a dedication to the preservation of the history of Ipswich.

"Through the bursary we are making available up to $5000 in grant funds to assist with the costs of a project to document, record or publish a significant aspect of the local history of Ipswich.

"The Viva Cribb bursary contributes to the development of the local history collection of the Ipswich Library and Information Service by preserving material of historical significance to Ipswich through the encouragement of research and writing on a local history topic.

"The projects being undertaken through the bursary are also helping to increase the Ipswich community's understanding and appreciation of the city's cultural heritage and making local history information more accessible."

Heritage Consultative Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said he worked closely with the late Ms Cribb.

"Viva Cribb was a valued member of the Ipswich Heritage Consultative Committee and contributed much towards our understanding of heritage issues," Cr Tully said.

"She possessed a wealth of knowledge about Ipswich's history, not only about her own esteemed family, but also about the city in general.

"It is fitting therefore that this special bursary honours her in way which recognises the role her family played in Ipswich's early history."

Cr Tully said the bursary had produced several interesting projects since it was established in 2008.

The inaugural bursary project in 2008 was an Ipswich Honour Roll of the Great War with biographical information of these men and women who gave their life, during the First World War.

The second bursary project granted in 2009 was for a publication tracing the history of coal mining in the Marburg/Rosewood district from 1916 onwards including some oral histories.

Suitable proposals for funding under the Viva Cribb bursary include projects that focus on a local history topic, such as the preparation and writing of a book, an oral history, a web-based resource or digitisation project. 

A selection panel will decide the successful applicant based on suitability to meet eligibility criteria, project criteria, funding conditions and acquittal processes. 

The terms and conditions and application for the bursary will be available from January 18  on the council website at http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/community/grants_sponsorships/.

Applications close on March 5, 2010 and the successful applicant for the bursary will be announced in May during Heritage Week 2010.