COMMUNITY NEWS - A new era begins for Mapleton Hall

There are few places in Mapleton that hold as many memories as Mapleton Hall and Sportsground.

For generations, the grounds have echoed with the cheers of weekend sport, the music of community dances, the laughter of family celebrations and the conversations that have helped shape village life. It is a place where people have gathered not simply for events, but to build a community.

Behind those cherished memories, however, lies a quieter story: one of extraordinary dedication.

For decades, Lindsey, alongside her husband Terry, son Brett and father Bob, devoted countless volunteer hours to ensuring the Hall and Sportsground remained among the finest community facilities in the region. Whether under a blazing summer sun or during driving rain, they were there maintaining the buildings, tending the grounds and ensuring the facilities were always ready for the next game, meeting or celebration.

Their work was never about recognition. It was about preserving a place that belongs to everyone.

‘You didn't simply maintain a building and a sports field,’ members of the new trustee team said this week. ‘You protected a place where our community comes together. Every person who has attended an event, played a game or shared a special moment here has benefited from your commitment.’

As retiring trustees Lindsey, Maree and Brett hand over responsibility, the community has taken the opportunity to publicly thank them for their years of selfless service.

"’heir legacy is etched into the very soil of these grounds,’ the trustees said.

Now, a new chapter is beginning.

The newly appointed trustees, Tony Brett, Nita C. Lester, John Roza and Andrea Walker, have accepted responsibility for one of Mapleton's most valued community assets, with a commitment to both honour the past and prepare for the future.

‘Our goal is simple, yet ambitious,’ the new trustees said. ‘We intend to maintain the exceptional standard that has been established here for another 100 years.’

The incoming team believes its diverse experience will help ensure Mapleton Hall continues to evolve alongside the community it serves.

Collectively, the trustees bring experience across music and the arts, community engagement, the not-for-profit sector and the wider Sunshine Coast Hinterland. They also share a common belief that community facilities should be welcoming, inclusive and responsive to local needs.

Already, the trustees have begun reviewing existing operational procedures while continuing the day-to-day maintenance of the Hall and Sportsground. They are also working closely with permanent tenants, including the Mapleton RSL and Tennis Club, supporting regular hirers and building positive relationships with neighbouring residents.

One of the group's highest priorities is listening.

The trustees are inviting residents to share ideas about how Mapleton Hall can continue to grow in relevance and remain a vibrant hub for future generations.

‘We want the Hall to continue being a place where everyone feels welcome,’ they said.

‘Community feedback will help guide the next stage of its journey.’

Residents can also expect to see more regular communication about activities and events, with updates appearing in the Range and Hinterland PopUp Community News and on community noticeboards throughout the Blackall Range.

While the custodians of Mapleton Hall may have changed, the philosophy remains the same: preserving an important community space while ensuring it continues to serve the needs of future generations.

The outgoing trustees leave behind an enduring legacy of service.

The incoming trustees now inherit not only a well-maintained Hall and Sportsground, but also the privilege, and responsibility, of carrying that legacy forward.

The new Trustees are Tony Brett, Nita C. Lester, John Roza and Andrea Walker. They look forward to working alongside tenants, hirers, neighbours and the wider community as

Mapleton Hall enters its next century of service.