Article updated, March 2026:
The Footprints Walking on Country bus made a successful visit to Mapleton Community Hall on 18 February, and the team reported strong community engagement on the day. The service is returning to the hinterland with two back-to-back visits to Maleny Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April 2026, from 9am to 1.30pm each day. The same free, walk-in format applies – no appointment, no referral, no cost. Everything you need to know about what to expect on the day is in the article below.
A specialist mobile clinic is coming to Mapleton Community Hall on Wednesday 18 February, offering free diabetes and foot health checks to everyone in the community, no appointment, no referral, no cost.
When the Footprints Walking on Country mobile bus rolls into Mapleton Community Hall next month, it will be carrying a team of nurses who know that a few quiet minutes spent checking a person’s feet can sometimes change the course of their life.
The service, a Sunshine Coast Health initiative, provides free, walk-in foot and diabetes screening to anyone who turns up. There are no forms to fill in beforehand, no GP referral required, and no charge. The bus will be parked at Mapleton Community Hall from 9am to 1.30pm.
This is only the programme’s second visit to the Mapleton Range. The first took place in September 2025, and the team are planning to return on a broadly biannual basis, though they are quick to add that if demand warrants it, they will come more often.
Why feet matter more than most of us realise
Foot complications are among the most serious, and most preventable, consequences of diabetes. Nerve damage and poor circulation can mean that cuts, blisters, and pressure sores go unnoticed until they become infected wounds. Left untreated, those wounds can escalate into ulcers and, in the worst cases, result in amputation.
More than 4,400 diabetes-related amputations are carried out in Australia every year, roughly 12 every single day. It is a rate that places Australia among the highest in the developed world, yet health experts consistently note that the majority of those procedures are preventable if foot problems are caught and treated early.
People in rural and hinterland communities are disproportionately affected. Limited local podiatry services, transport challenges, and the time and cost of travelling to larger centres mean that minor problems often go unaddressed until they become major ones. Mobile outreach services such as Footprints exist specifically to bridge that gap.
“Taking a few minutes for a free foot check and conversation could prevent serious complications in the future. Protect your feet. Protect your health. Early care makes a difference.”
Sarah Armstrong, Clinical Nurse / Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Footprints Walking on Country
About the programme
Footprints Walking on Country was funded in 2023 through a Queensland Health Connected Community Pathways grant and began delivering services in early 2024. Its early success led Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service to make the programme permanent at the end of 2024, a significant vote of confidence in its value to the region.
Since its first outing, the mobile clinic has seen more than 1,260 community members. The numbers coming through its doors have told a striking story: of those screened, nearly one in five (19.55%) were found to be living with Type 2 diabetes, and a further 7.9% were identified as pre-diabetic, meaning that for many visitors, the bus visit was the first time they had been told they were at risk.
The programme is staffed by a dedicated team of five: Carolyn Allen (Diabetes Nurse Navigator and Credentialled Diabetes Educator), Sarah Armstrong (Clinical Nurse and Credentialled Diabetes Educator), Tegan McVicker (Identified Enrolled Nurse), Daryl (Operational Officer and bus driver), and Joanne (Project Officer). Together they cover a broad geographic footprint across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
What happens on the day?
The bus is fully equipped with a podiatry chair and a wheelchair lift, making it accessible for people with mobility challenges. Once on board, visitors are seen by nurses specialising in diabetes and foot care who carry out a thorough but straightforward assessment. This typically includes:
- A blood flow assessment: nurses gently check the pedal pulses in your feet (at the top of the foot and near the ankle) to assess how well blood is circulating
- A monofilament sensory examination: a thin nylon filament is pressed gently against specific areas of the foot to check sensation, helping to detect nerve damage before any pain is felt
- A skin and nail assessment, including a check of footwear fit and any visible skin changes
- A diabetes risk assessment using the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK) for those not yet diagnosed, giving an indication of risk over the next five years
- Education and practical advice on daily foot care, appropriate footwear, and blood sugar management
If the team identifies anything that requires follow-up, referrals are arranged on the spot. Depending on clinical need, that may be to community podiatry services in Buderim or Gympie, to the patient’s own GP (who will receive a written clinical summary from the Footprints team), or to the Sunshine Coast Health High-Risk Foot Service for more specialised assessment and care.
Walking on Country: the name and its meaning
The programme’s full name is more than a poetic turn of phrase. Footprints: Walking on Country reflects a core commitment to providing culturally safe and respectful healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the Sunshine Coast. The team consults with local Elders and community representatives to ensure the service remains genuinely welcoming and inclusive.
This focus is particularly important given the disproportionate burden of diabetes in First Nations communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are approximately three times more likely to have diabetes and thirty times more likely to experience a diabetes-related lower limb amputation than non-Indigenous Australians. Community-based, culturally responsive outreach is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to address that disparity.
Community response to the programme has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong engagement and repeat attendance across all locations visited. The team’s integrated approach, communicating findings back to GPs and connecting patients with specialist services as needed, ensures the bus visit is a starting point rather than a standalone encounter.
Who should come along?
The service is open to everyone, and the team is keen to see as many Mapleton and Range residents as possible on the day. You do not need to have diabetes to benefit from a visit. Foot health can be an important early indicator of underlying circulatory and neurological issues, and catching concerns early is always preferable to treatment further down the track.
The team particularly encourages anyone who:
- Is already living with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, or gestational)
- Has a strong family history of diabetes
- Has not had a foot check in the past 12 months
- Has noticed any changes to feeling, colour, or temperature in their feet
- Is simply curious about their diabetes risk
The team also encourages residents to spread the word, particularly to older neighbours or community members who may not follow social media, and to anyone who might assume the bus is not accessible for them. The wheelchair lift means it is.
Visit details
| When | Wednesday 18 February 2026 |
| Time | 9.00am – 1.30pm |
| Where | Mapleton Community Hall |
| Cost | Free |
| Bookings | Walk-ins welcome – no appointment necessary |
| Contact | 0487 763 417 | SC-FootprintsWalkingonCountry@health.qld.gov.au |
For future visits and other locations across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions, keep an eye on local community Facebook pages and newsletters, or contact the team directly.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information contained within for any purpose.