BRICKWORKS & POTTERIES
OF THE IPSWICH (Qld) REGION

  Alister J Cameron       

Warwick Brickworks

(An Example of How a Brickworks Operates)

The Schnitzerling Family

From the Warwick Brickworks Website

Views of the Brickworks

WARWICK BRICKS FROM THE STREET LOOKING NORTH WEST 2024 Shows main processing building. Completed bricks are on the left.
BRICKWORKS FROM THE ROAD LOOKING NORTH 2024 Raw materials for the bricks were added for initial processing through the large building opening on the left.
BRICKWORKS LOOKING NORTH-WEST 2024 On the right are one of the 1985 kilns and oil tank.
ANDY SCHNITZERLING WITH THE REAR OF THE TWO 1985 KILNS BEHIND HIM 2024
THE REAR OF THE BRICKWORKS IN 2024 On the left are the two 1985 kilns. On the right are the remains walls of two older kilns.
THE REAR OF THE BRICKWORKS LOOKING SOUTH-EAST 2025 From left to right are the 1985 kilns, remains of the older kilns, and the main processing shed. Photo: Alister J Cameron

The Steps in Brick-making Used at the Site

(1) Initial Processing

PILE OF RAW CLAY READY FOR PROCESSING 2025
PILES OF UNPROCESSED SHALE 2025
THE ALL-IMPORTANT FRONT LOADER USED TO MOVE MATERIALS FROM PLACE TO PLACE 2024
THE CRUSHER 2024 Crushed materials down to the size of a fist; ready for Grinder.

(2) Grinding

OLD PRE-1940s GRINDING MACHINE 2024 This included a whole complex of belts and gears; all driven by one motor.
CLOSEUP SHOWING THE OLD CONVEYOR BUCKETS 2024
CLOSEUP OF GRINDING WHEELS AND PAN 2024
IN FEBRUARY 2025 THE GRINDING PAN AND WHEELS HAVE BEEN REMOVED.
PART OF THE BELT AND GEAR SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN REMOVED.
IN 2025 THE PIT IN WHICH THE OLD GRINDER WAS LOCATED IS NOW EXPOSED.
FEEDER FOR GRINDER 2024
GRINDER 2024 The grinding wheels are designed so that their active surface can be replaced if required. At the back the bucket conveyor can be seen.
GRINDER FROM THE REAR 2024 Note the feeder top right.
CLOSEUP OF GRINDING PAN 2024
IN FEBRUARY 2025 THE PIT IN WHICH THE GRINDER IS LOCATED CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN.
AT REAR OF GRINDER THE VERTICAL BUCKET CONVEYOR CAN BE SEEN LEADING TO THE SIEVE (THE LARGE BROWN ITEM) 2024
CLOSEUP OF BUCKETS 2024

(3) Mixing

NORTHERN SIDE OF PROCESSING AREA 2024 A modern shed was built over the older apparatus which has also been reinforced in recent times by steel girders. Mixer is top left. Other processing is hidden by the timber wall top right. Four presses are at the botttom.
CLOSEUP OF MIXER
CLOSEUP OF PROCESSING AREA HIDDEN BY TIMER WALL 2024

(4) Pressing of the Bricks

ONE OF THE WALLBANK PRESSES 2025
CLOSEUP OF UPPER SECTION OF PRESS 2024 Shows that two bricks were pressed at a time.
CLOSEUP SHOWING PRESS'S LOWER MECHANISM 2024.
FROM ANOTHER ANGLE 2025
SECOND WALLBANK PRESS 2025
SECOND WALLBANK PRESS FROM THE REAR 2025
MARRICKVILLE PRESS 2025 Obtained second-hand in 1955
PRESS FROM THE REAR 2025
WALLBANK PAVER PRESS 2024 Obtained: 1985 Produces pavers one at a time.
FROM ANOTHER ANGLE
FROM THE SIDE EXPOSING INNER WORKINGS 2024

(5) Transport to the Kilns

SPECIAL WHEELBARROW USED IN YEARS PAST TO TRANSPORT UNFIRED BRICKS FROM PRESSES TO THE KILNS. At that time one person operated the press, another pushed the barrow with unfired bricks to the kiln, and two men 'Setters' stacked the bricks in the kiln.
THIS SPECIALLY MODIFIED FORKLIFT REPLACED THE WHEELBARROW TO TRANSPORT THE BRICKS IN ALREADY-STACKED UNITS.
THESE ARE TWO OF THE FRAMES USED TO STACK BRICKS BEFORE BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE KILN BY THE FORKLIFT.
ONE OF THE FRAMES IN USE. In this case the frame has been stacked with unfired pavers, manufactured by the press at the rear. A forklift will subsequently take the stack to the kiln. Source: Album of Andy Schnitzerling.
LAYER OF BRICKS STACKED IN THE KILN READY FOR FIRING. Photo: Andy Schnitzerling.

(6a) Firing in the Kilns (Current Kilns)

THE CURRENT KILNS 2024 The two kilns and the chimney were built and completed in 1985 by Andy Schnitzerling and his father.
ENTRANCE TO THE TWO KILNS 2024 The metal-framed blocks of bricks were used to fill the opening during firing using a forklift. Loose bricks filled in the remaining gaps.
THE REAR OF THE KILNS IN 2024 The openings were permanently closed when automatic brick stacking in the kilns meant they were no longer needed.
TEMPLATES USED BY ANDY AND HIS FATHER TO BUILD THE TWO KILNS
SOMETIMES WHAT IS SIMPLE STANDS THE TEST OF TIME. This concrete mixer was used to build the kilns and chimney in 1985, and has continued to work until the present day.
INSIDE ONE OF THE KILNS 2024 Extraction vents to the chimney can be clearly seen on the floor. Lined up on both sides are the fire holes.
CLOSEUP OF THE VENTS
STICKING OUT OF THE CEILING IS A CERAMIC PROBE CALLED A THERMO CUPLET Use to track and record temperatures over time.
CLOSEUP OF INNER SURFACE OF KILN SHOWING REPAIRS 2025 The older bricks are quite molten. The gap shows where two bricks have been removed or fallen out. Newer replacement bricks are underneath.
A STANDARD BRICK USED IN ONE OF THE KILN 2025 Bottom of brick is glazed because of being directly exposed to heat. The brickworks didn't use specialist kiln bricks.
ANOTHER REMOVED BRICK IN WORST CONDITION
PILES OF DISCARDED MOSTLY FORMER KILN BRICKS 2025
CLOSEUP OF A ROW OF FIRE HOLES 2024 At the time of firing, walls of bricks ('Bag Walls') are built up to a height of 10-11 bricks to prevent heat directly hitting the bricks to be fired.
CLOSEUP OF TWO FIRE HOLES. What looks like metal grills at the bottom are actually specially designed 'draught bricks' laid side-by-side.
FLOOR OF ONE OF THE FIRE HOLES What looks like a metal grate is a series of specialised bricks called draught bricks; laid side-by-side.
TWO DRAUGHT BRICKS DEMONSTRATING HOW THEY ARE LAID The indented side is up against the rear of another to form a gap.
INDIVIDUAL DRAUGHT BRICK SHOWING THE SHAPE OF THE INDENTATION
AN EXPERIMENTAL DRAUGHT BRICK OF COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DESIGN 2025. It was made at the brickworks and trialled, but rejected.
CLOSEUP OF THE OUTSIDE OF TWO KILN FIREHOLES. One is open and the other closed. The bottom opening on the right-hand side is used to remove ash.
SPECIAL SHOVEL USED FOR REMOVING ASH FROM THE SMALL SQUARE HOLE.
THE BRICK COVERS FOR EACH OF THE FIRE HOLES HAVE MAKE-SHIFT COUNTER WEIGHTS.
TANK THAT FORMERLY CONTAINED RECYCLED OIL ON EASTERN SIDE OF KILNS 2024 Oil was trialled for some years as a fuel, but for various reasons was discontinued.
CLOSEUP. The brick wall around the tank is there to contain any leaks.
FIREWOOD ALL STACKED UP READY FOR USE 2025 It was used to fire the kilns both before and after the experiment with oil.
DISCARDED OIL PUMPING EQUIPMENT 2025
Heating apparatus for oil.
REMAINS OF OIL INFRASTRUCTURE ON SIDE OF THE 1985 KILNS 2025

(6b) Firing in the Kilns (Chimney)

THE CHIMNEY BUILT BY ANDY AND HIS FATHER IN 1985
FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE
A PIT ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CHIMNEY USED TO REGULATE VENTILATION OF THE KILN. Tunnel to the chimney is straight ahead. The one on the left leads to the kiln. Pit has a cover which can be used as required. Metal apparatus at the top of the picture marks the location of an additional shutter.
CLOSER VIEW OF PIT
CLOSEUP OF BASE OF PIT. When the kiln is being warmed up at the beginning of firing, part of the procedure to get the ventilation going is the lighting of a small fire.
THE SETUP ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE CHIMNEY IS IDENTICAL. In this case the pit is covered.
BLOWER APPARATUS USED TO HELP START VENTILATION OF THE KILN VIA THE CHIMNEY.

(6c) Firing in the Kilns (Former Kilns)

AT THE REAR OF THE BRICKWORKS THE REMAINING EASTERN WALL OF TWO FORMER KILNS CAN BE SEEN 2024
AREA BETWEEN THE TWO WALLS IS NOW USED AS A SHELTER FOR FORKLIFTS 2024
SHELTER AND CONTAINER WEST OF THE TWO WALLS 2025
INNER SIDE OF ONE OF THE WALLS. Note the bulges caused by the pressures of use.
OUTER SIDE OF ONE OF THE WALLS SHOWING THE TERRACED STRUCTURE 2025

(7) Post-Processing (Tumbling)

TUMBLER & ASSOCIATED CONVEYOR BELT 2025 Some bricks had their sharp edges rubbed off to give them the appearance of age. They were marketed as 'Sandstock" bricks.
CLOSEUP OF INSIDE OF THE TUMBLER
AN EXAMPLE OF A TUMBLED BRICK FROM THE BRICKWORKS

(8) Bricks Ready for Sale

PALLETS OF COMPLETE BRICKS. In February 2025 the vast majority of these had been sold, but were awaiting delivery.
ONE OF THE DELIVERY TRUCKS COMPLETE WITH COMPACT FORKLIFT 2025. The works had two of these trucks. Before this kind of technology bricks often had to be unloaded by hand.
PALLETS OF CONCRETE BRICKS 2025 Warwick Brickworks didn't manufacture concrete bricks, but would bring them back from further afield as a return load after delivering their own bricks to their customers. They would then on-sell them. For National Masonry see my page on Calsil Brickworks, Wacol.

Ancient Machinery on the Site

OLD PUGMILL FORMERLY USED BY THE BRICKWORKS 2024 A pugmill is a machine that processes and extrudes clay in a plastic (soft) form. In more recent times this was undertaken by the presses.
Label on Pugmill says G.M. Seward & Sons, Machinery Merchants, Melbourne.
HAND PRESS FOR MAKING BRICKS
OLD WIRE CUT TABLE 2024 This is how extruded clay would have been cut into individual bricks.
FROM ANOTHER ANGLE
FROM ANOTHER ANGLE

Some of the Older Bricks Made by the Family

TWO VERY OLD BRICKS MADE BY THE FAMILY. " M . S" stands for "Martin Schnitzerling"; the original ancestor who came to Australia from Germany in the 1850s and started brick-making in this country. The inscription on the lower brick stands for "Schnitzerling Brothers Warwick"
OLD BRICK FROM THE LATE 1800s
BRICK FROM THE 1940s It was made by the "Wet Press" method. The raised nobs on the rear was where clay was pushed out of small holes in the mould when it was compressed.
BRICK MOULD FORMERLY USED AT THE BRICKWORKS

More Recent Bricks Up Until Recently on Offer

THE SNITZERLING RESIDENCE WHICH IS WHERE THE OFFICE WAS LOCATED, 2024 In front is a display of all the bricks provided by the brickworks.

Description:  Light Orange-Brown Brick.  Tiny grains, but smooth surface.
Condition:  Intact.
Type:  Solid, House Brick.
Frog:  Narrow, deep, angular frog.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Warwick Brickworks.
Current Location:  My Collection.

Description:  Light-Coloured, Tumbled “Sandstock” Brick.  Totally covered with tiny white and reddish-brown specs. Black impurities. Edges crumbled.
Condition:  Intact.
Type:  Solid House Brick.
Frog:  Narrow, deep, angular frog.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Warwick Brickworks.
Current Location:  My Collection.

Description:  Dark-Coloured, Narrow, Sample Brick.
Dimensions:  22.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm
Condition:  Intact
Type:  Sample House Brick
Frog:  Deep, narrow, angular frog.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Warwick Brickworks.
Current Location:  My Collection.

Description:  Light-Brown Paver.
Condition:  Intact.
Type:  Paver.
Frog:  None.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Warwick Brickworks.
Current Location:  My Collection

Description:  Light-Brown Arch Brick.  Many small impurities.  Slight wire mark.  Narrow edge slightly glazed.  Darkened one side.
Dimensions:  22.5 cm x 9.0-10. cm x 7.0 cm
Condition:  Fully intact.
Type:  Arch Brick (for Kiln).
Frog:  None.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Warwick Brickworks.
Current Location:  My Collection.

Description:  Light-Brown Arch Brick.
Dimensions:  23.0 cm x 11.3 cm x 7.0-7.5 cm.
Condition:  Fully intact.
Type:  Arch Brick (for Kiln).
Frog:  None.
Inscription:  None.
Origin:  Warwick Brickworks.
Current Location:  My Collection.