Celebrating 40 years of Progress

On the eve of its 40th anniversary, tributes have flowed in for Mango Hill Progress Association, described as the “grassroots of its community”.

Over four decades MHPA has led campaigns for roads and railway lines, against a rubbish tip, to save a golf course, keep a lake and famous trees.

Volunteers have run Anzac Day ceremonies, skate nights and Christmas Carols for residents, manned polling booths and organised clean-ups after devastating floods.

Lobbied for parks and tennis courts to be named, held election forums, championed Mango Hill Village ,..... and held meetings on the third Wednesday of every month.

Mayor Peter Flannery and Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway joined members at Mango Hill Community Centre to salute MHPA and its only president, Laurence Christie.

“I know it’s a team effort but it would be wrong of me not to make a special of you Laurence,” Cr Jodie Shipway (Div 4) said at Mango Hill Community Hall.

“Without you and your leadership over the years there’s every chance the association might not be where it still is today.

“There’s no-one I talk to in Mango Hill that doesn’t know who Laurence Christie is - and it’s a really good thing to know the impact you,ve had on a lot of people. So thank you.

“It’s invaluable to have community groups like this. Volunteering is a bit of a dying art, so it is good to see the progress association keeps getting bigger.

“The Mayor and I would like to present you with a Certificate of Appreciation as a special thank you for what you do in the community.”

Mayor Peter Flannery said: “Congratulations on 40 years of the progress association. You are the grassroots of the community and a voice of collaboration with Council.

“You have respect for each other and having a councillor come along, listen to questions and issues you’ve raised and pass information on to you … that relationship is fantastic.”

On receiving his Certificate of Appreciation, Laurence Christie said: “Every individual around here today and many others have done so much. Thank you to you all.

“We’re an advocacy group. When you want something you have to work with others and we have worked with Council and governments over the years.

“Without you guys it doesn’t happen.”

To celebrate its milestone, MHPA is holding an anniversary dinner at Mango Hill Community Centre on Saturday July 18.

It all started in 1986 when Mango Hill Progress Association was formed and joined Pine Rivers Shire Council to fight plans by Redcliffe City Council for a dump and cemetery on Chermside Rd.

In the same year, half a hectare of land was provided by council for a park. A demountable became the community hall, a cricket pitch was laid and tennis court opened in 1990.

MHPA, which runs the court, arranged for it to be officially named after Grand Slam winner and ex-Mango Hill resident Jason Kubler, whose career started there and was at the 2024 unveiling.

In 2006 MHPA led 109 residents to a meeting of Pine Rivers Shire Council to fight plans to link Mango Hill Village by road to North Lakes, via Chermside Rd.

The association was also one of the groups which spent years lobbying for a rail line to Redcliffe - a vision which became reality in 2016.

Successful campaigns were also held to link Chelmsford Rd to Kinsellas Rd West at the roundabout and get a second exit from the Village via Lamington Rd.

After 10 years, MHPA succeeded in getting Mango Hill back on Bruce Highway signs and in 2018 fought to save the iconic mango trees on Anzac Ave.

In 2024 a drive led by the association’s Keith King, who had seen a neighbour’s house burn down, reached fruition when Moreton Bay Central Fire Station opened.

In recent years attention has turned to rising water levels and regular flooding at Danzy Buchanan Park, by Mango Hill Community Centre.