By Sonia Isaacs
AFTER nearly 20 years behind the counter, Mapleton’s Post Office operators Elizabeth and David Buckley are preparing to step away from a role that has made them familiar faces and trusted constants in the hinterland community.
The Mapleton Post Office, which has operated from its current site since 1948, will officially close in its present form on February 9, marking the end of an era for the town.
Postal services will continue locally, with operations transitioning to the Mapleton IGA on Flaxton Drive from Tuesday, February 10, ensuring residents retain access to what Elizabeth describes as a “very vital” community lifeline.
Elizabeth and David have run the Post Office since March 2008, and during that time it has become far more than a place to send parcels or pay bills.
“In a small town like Mapleton, the Post Office is really a meeting place,” Elizabeth said. “People come in to do their business, but they also come in to have a chat, catch up on news and see a familiar face.”
The decision for postal services to be taken on by the IGA was driven by the town’s strong sense of community and a shared desire to keep services local.
Elizabeth said the IGA was considered the best option after a strong case was put forward to Australia Post.
“It was all about making sure Mapleton didn’t lose something that’s so important to the people who live here,” she said.
For Elizabeth, it is the people – and the small traditions that have made the job so special. One of her favourites has been the annual Christmas colouring-in competition for local children, a much-loved tradition that ensured every child received a small gift.
“Seeing the kids come in with their drawings and knowing everyone gets something, no matter what, it just feels right for a town like this,” she said.
In recent weeks, Elizabeth has also been busy preparing school book packs, a quieter behind-the-scenes service that has supported local families for years.
“You don’t always see the impact straight away,” she said, “but you know it makes a difference when the school year starts.”
As Elizabeth and David step back from Post Office life, their contribution is being widely acknowledged.
“We’ve been very lucky,” Elizabeth said.
“The community here has supported us from day one.”
An Australia Post spokesperson confirmed the transition and paid tribute to the Buckleys’ service.
“Australia Post is delighted to welcome Mapleton IGA as our new licensees and looks forward to working with them into the future,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re supporting our incoming licensees towards the goal of having postal services up and running from Tuesday February 10, including banking and bill payments. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Elizabeth and David for their dedicated service to the community over nearly two decades.”
Mapleton District Community Association president Peter Gamgee said the community was relieved that full postal services would continue in town.
He said locals had only a few months’ notice that the Post Office might close, bringing home just how much the service is valued in Mapleton.
“When people realised it could be lost, it really highlighted how essential it is,” Mr Gamgee said.
He praised both the long running service of the Buckley family and ongoing commitment of the Anderson family, who own and operate the IGA, describing them as long-standing community members and contributors.
He acknowledged the transition would be a steep learning curve, with renovations under way to create extra storage and install Post Office boxes.
But he said said the Anderson family was committed to making it work.
While some residents have raised concerns about traffic and parking at the IGA/BP site, Mr Gamgee said the overall mood was one of gratitude that Mapleton would retain its Post Office.
He added there was also renewed interest in recording the history of a service that has long sat at the heart of town life.