From polio survivor to community builder: Vale Valerie Zwart

Valerie Zwart was in every way and inspirational role model.

By Coral Usher

Valerie Zwart, 96, passed away quietly on Monday August 11 in Melbourne close to family where she moved following the death of husband Gerry in 2021. 

During her life Valerie exhibited a lifetime mission to enhance the quality of living for all in her community through her vision, motivation enthusiasm and innovation. She bound together a community including preschool children, adults with intellectual disability, families of all ages, local businesses and seniors.

Valerie overcame childhood polio to develop a thriving nursery business in Adelaide, actively taking part in service clubs, Zonta, Apex and Kiwanis in South Australia.

In 1989 Valerie with husband Gerry, aged 60ish, made a momentous decision to move from South Australia to Mapleton. 

Valerie cuts her 90th Birthday cake.

I have no idea what factors influenced this decision, but I do know that Mapleton has not been quite the same since. And I would hazard a guess that this decision has also influenced, in a momentous way, the caring community that makes up this little village perched on the Blackall Range.

 Many, before and since, have chosen either to retire or slow our pace, relax and enjoy our golden years in just such a pretty spot. But this does not describe Valerie and Gerry. 

After moving to Mapleton they didn’t put their feet up to relax and enjoy the fruits of life, but set about farming avocados.  

In her quiet, efficient and tireless way, she helped create facilities and opportunities that enriched the lives of people across Mapleton and the Blackall Range.

In addition to being a driving force in the success of many community groups, Valerie willingly shared her gardening and landscaping expertise and kept the community informed of happenings through regular newspaper columns. In the latter years the Zwarts relocated to Nambour’s ‘Sanctuary Park’.

Team Zwart made a remarkable contribution over the years to: The Community Library, M.A.D.C.A. (Mapleton & District Community Assoc.), Mapleton Information Centre, Montville Visitor Information Centre, The Community Hall, Jazz Nights, The Garden Club, The Old School House, Mapleton Craft Group, The Bowls Club, The Blackall Range Wood Crafters Guild, The Community Kindy, Scouting, Teralba Assoc, The Blackall Range Care Group, The Range Community Church, Mapleton, Flaxton & Montville Business Directory, The Maple Leaf, Association of Independent Retirees (A.I.R), Maroochy Council Garden Competition, Queensland Home Garden Expo, Sunshine Coast Daily, The Range News, Queensland Horticultural Media Association, Queensland Gardening Magazine.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council recognised Valerie’s accomplishments, as the 2009 Australia Day ‘Community Award’ recipient.

In 2010 Valerie received an Order of Australia Honour Award, and in 2011, Honorary, Senior Fellow of University of Sunshine Coast, for her  dedication and devotion to the betterment of her community.  

She was in every way an extraordinary Australian and an inspirational role model.

Valerie Zwart’s Funeral Service will be held 2pm Thursday 28 August at White Lady Funerals, 741 High Street Kew East. The live stream link is https://bit.ly/3Jf17LK