More than 250 Blackall Range residents streamed through the gates of QCCC Mapleton on Saturday 6 December for the centre’s Community Open Day, marking another successful chapter in the relationship between one of the region’s largest employers and the local community it serves.
The free event, held in partnership with TribalLink, offered locals an opportunity to explore the 55-acre rainforest property that has operated as a school camp and group venue for decades.
“Some locals told us they had lived on the Range for years but had never seen the whole site before,” said Andrew Grant, QCCC Director. “The Open Day helped people understand the scale of QCCC Mapleton and the role it plays in the region, which was one of our key goals.”
Overwhelmingly Positive Response
With a healthy mix of pre-registered guests and walk-ins, attendance met staff expectations. Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive, with parents praising both the facilities and the welcoming atmosphere.
“We had such a fun day seeing everything for the first time,” one parent commented, whilst another noted, “The kids didn’t want to leave the pools.” Several attendees also remarked on the friendliness of staff and the insights they gained about the centre’s year-round operations.
The event ran from midday until 8pm, with four swimming pools proving the star attraction. Families also flocked to try the climbing wall and Archery Tag, whilst the general recreation areas buzzed with activity from opening to close.
Indigenous Cultural Heart
A formal Welcome to Country by Jinibara Elder Uncle Al Parsons at 2:30pm served as the centrepiece of the day’s programme, reinforcing QCCC’s 15-year partnership with TribalLink, a relationship built on reconciliation principles where cultural knowledge and teaching are held in high regard.
The centre also maintains an agreement with the Jinibara Peoples Aboriginal Corporation to share their stories and lore across the site, a commitment that manifested throughout the Open Day. Guests were encouraged to tour the TribalLink Centre, where activities including Emu Feathers and Traditional Games were on offer.
Kerry Neill from TribalLink’s didgeridoo performance created what many families described as a powerful cultural atmosphere and a highlight of their visit.
Diverse Attractions
Beyond the pools, visitors enjoyed an impressive array of activities that showcased the breadth of QCCC’s outdoor education programme. The climbing wall and Archery Tag emerged as standout favourites, with supervised sessions running throughout the afternoon and early evening to accommodate the steady stream of eager participants.
The property’s general recreation areas remained at capacity all day, with the pickleball courts, frisbee golf course, and beach volleyball areas in constant use. Families spread across the oval for informal games, whilst the more adventurous tested their skills on the various challenge courses.
A particularly meaningful feature was the display of adaptive equipment, which demonstrated QCCC’s commitment to making outdoor activities accessible to people with disabilities. The specialised gear attracted considerable interest and sparked conversations about inclusive outdoor education.
The local fire services and rural fire brigade brought their trucks for families to explore, clambering children peppered volunteer firies with questions about equipment and emergency response work.
The property’s scenic lakeside and surrounding rainforest setting provided the perfect backdrop for families who chose to bring their own picnics or purchase meals and coffee from the on-site dining hall.
“We saw a very wide mix of ages, from toddlers through to locals in their 80s,” Grant noted. Lifesavers were on duty throughout to ensure safety at the pools.
Major Regional Employer
The Open Day also highlighted QCCC’s significant economic footprint on the Blackall Range. As one of the region’s largest employers with approximately 90 staff members, the centre hosts around 30,000 guests annually, providing a substantial boost to local shops and services.
Many QCCC staff live on the Range and participate actively in community groups, schools, and sporting clubs. The centre’s support for Run Queensland in bringing the Blackall 100 ultra-marathon to Mapleton exemplifies this community engagement, the event has grown into one of Australia’s leading trail running competitions.
As a privately owned site hosting young people year-round, QCCC operates under strict Child Safe requirements, which will be strengthened further from 1 January 2026 following recommendations from the Royal Commission. These safeguarding protocols necessarily limit volunteer opportunities at the centre, though Grant indicated that locals can best support QCCC through fundraising for specialised equipment, particularly gear that helps people with disabilities access outdoor activities.
Looking Ahead
Grant confirmed the Community Open Day is expected to become an annual fixture on the Range calendar. The timing in early summer worked well this year, allowing families to enjoy the full spectrum of outdoor facilities.
For an organisation that has served Queensland for 90 years and operates three venues across the state’s hinterlands, the decision to open Mapleton’s doors to the local community represents a natural evolution of its mission, one that emphasises not just outdoor education and gospel-hearted hospitality, but genuine connection with the communities where its centres are embedded.
As the last families departed on Saturday evening, the success of the inaugural event seemed assured. Registration through the charity-focused Humanitix platform and the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggest the Community Open Day has established itself as a welcome addition to the Range’s community calendar.
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