Mapleton Post Office to close as Buckley family to step back
Elizabeth Buckley recently received an Australian Lions Foundation Community Service Award from Lions Club of Blackall Range Inc President, Peter Jensen. Pic by Eric Anderson.
Mapleton is preparing for the closure of its long-serving post office after operator Elizabeth Buckley announced she and her family will withdraw from the business due to serious health concerns.
In a letter to the community, Ms Buckley said the Mapleton Post Office will close at 5pm on February 9, 2026. She explained she had recently been diagnosed with a rare liposarcoma and that the family had made the difficult decision to step away to spend their remaining time together. “It has been a privilege to serve the fantastic and unique community that is Mapleton for the last 18 years and we will take so many good memories with us,” she wrote.
Australia Post has confirmed it is investigating options to maintain postal services in Mapleton and will update residents as plans progress.
Local residents have begun coordinating a unified community response, both to support the Buckley family and to ensure Mapleton’s postal needs are represented clearly to Australia Post.
Community members are already discussing ways to acknowledge the family’s contribution and to work constructively on transitional arrangements.
Residents wishing to offer suggestions or seek further information can contact Peter Gamgee on 0419 716 870 peter.gamgee@gmail.com , or Nita Lester nita.c.lester@gmail.com on 5445 7182.
Queries about postal services can be directed to Australia Post on 13 76 78.