One of the world’s favourite gingers visited Ipswich last week after a sustained campaign by three radio stations and Ipswich City Council.
The superstar, Ed Sheeran is a native of Ipswich in the United Kingdom, and this sentimental kicker got the campaign started.
It all kicked off in May 2025. Local businesses, the media and community members all have had parts to play. It went so far as to see the Mayor on a personal visit to Ed’s hometown.
In September, the mural located between the Hotel Commonwealth and 1 Nicholas Street was unveiled.
Funded by Warner Music Australia, it was painted by Brisbane-based artist Duncan Mattocks.
The billboard was brought to life over six days, using 12 different colors and 10 litres of paint.
And it did the trick.
Mayor Teresa Harding was tickled pink when he dropped by to say ‘g’day’. She made him an honorary co-mayor and let him wear her mayoral chains of office.
“I think it suits me,” he said, with the chains strung over his shoulders.
He came, he saw … and autographed the Ed mural, which council workers were quick to cover in sealant to ensure it doesn’t degrade over time.
Two council security guards were tasked with protecting the words from nefarious trouble makers overnight while the sealant was curing.
He didn’t visit Rosewood, Thagoona or Marburg but Walloon State School had a bit of fun on social media when they uploaded an AI generated photograph of Ed eating a chicken burger in their canteen.
Photo: AI generated image
