Forty years of kindy spirit? That’s worth celebrating!

Above: photo taken at the second working bee in 1992.

A kindergarten built on the determination and generosity of local families is celebrating 40 years of nurturing Blackall Range children – and the community that made it all possible is invited to join the party.

The Range Community Kindergarten in Mapleton will mark its 40th anniversary with a community fete on Saturday, November 14, bringing together past and present families, educators and supporters for a day of celebration, activities and fundraising.

Behind the milestone is a remarkable story of community spirit, stretching back to 1986 when a group of local parents decided the Blackall Range needed its own kindergarten.

They formed a steering committee, held meetings at Mapleton Hall, began fundraising and worked with local organisations and council to turn their dream into reality.

The hall was renovated to accommodate the kindergarten, which welcomed its first children in early 1987.

The years that followed were filled with working bees, fundraising and volunteer effort as families worked towards securing a permanent home.

When financial difficulties threatened the kindergarten in 1991, the community rallied again, with support from local families, council and even other kindergartens across the region.

That same year, The Range moved into its current premises, where volunteers continued landscaping, building and fundraising until the committee eventually secured ownership of the property.

Committee president Sarah-Jane Abt said the remarkable thing was how little that community spirit had changed over four decades.

“What I love is that the same pattern has continued throughout the Kindy’s history,” she said. “In more recent years, community support has again helped make major improvements and renovations possible through grants, fundraising, donated labour, local trades and support from organisations and businesses including the Lions Club, Mapleton Men’s Shed and MADCA.

Even this year, our Bunnings BBQ raised almost $4,000 thanks to parent volunteers and generous donations from Mapleton IGA.

But perhaps the most touching example of that community spirit came when flooding affected Nambour’s James Street Community Kindergarten.

The Range opened its doors, providing a temporary home for children and families while their own kindergarten recovered.

“There’s something quite full-circle about that. The Range kindy exists because, 40 years ago, a community made room for its children, and 40 years later we were able to make room for another kindergarten community when they needed it,” Sarah-Jane said.

The anniversary fete will celebrate those connections while raising funds to maintain and improve the kindergarten for future generations.

Visitors can enjoy children’s activities, food, raffle, and a silent auction featuring artwork created by the kindergarten children. “We’ve also had some lovely local Sunshine Coast artists donate pieces for our silent auction,” said Sarah Jane. “And to celebrate 40 years, we’ve put together a special anniversary cookbook, filled with recipes from Kindy cookbooks over the years, contributions from our current families, and some much-loved Kindy favourites. These will be available to purchase on the day.” 

Organisers are particularly keen to reconnect with former families and educators who have been part of The Range’s story.

Sarah-Jane said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the generations of families, educators, volunteers and businesses who had contributed to the kindergarten’s success.

“As a community kindergarten, we continue to rely on the support of our families and the wider community to help us fundraise, maintain and improve our beautiful little Kindy and keep it strong for the children who come after us.”

The Range Community Kindergarten’s 40th Anniversary Fete will be held on Saturday, November 14, in Mapleton.