Sport
29 May, 2026
Maryborough Netball Association names canteen after life member
The Maryborough Netball Association (MNA) has unveiled a touching tribute to much-loved life member Joan Hartley, naming its canteen in her honour.
Past and present players, volunteers and family members gathered for the official opening on Tuesday night, as the local netball community remembered Joan’s outstanding contributions and dedication across more than five decades.
Joan’s journey in local netball began in the mid-1960s, helping to form the Methodist Church club, later known as the United Netball Club, which grew from one team to over 15 by the early 2000s.
Joan, who passed away last year, was instrumental in laying the foundations of the MNA, heavily involved in the early planning and operation of the complex.
Alongside her tireless work as a player, coach, umpire, committee member and volunteer, which earned her a life membership in 1981, Joan was arguably most famous for her work behind the canteen, serving her popular home-made sandwiches and vegetable soup that delighted generations of members.
The association also announced at the opening the new Joan Hartley award, presented to someone who makes outstanding contributions to the MNA community each year.
For MNA president Rachael Palmer, who worked closely with Joan as leaders of the Maryborough Football Netball Club United since 2018, it’s a deserving recognition for “a truly beautiful lady”.
“We decided it was just so fitting to name the canteen and the award in her honour, because we want her memory to live on and for others to realise it’s great to be a volunteer and the impact that you can actually have on the lives of so many people,” she said.
Alongside her memories of Joan’s meticulous handwritten notes of results, trophy prices and pie orders, as well as her collection of memorabilia for her beloved Essendon Football Club, Rachael said she remembers Joan for her pride in witnessing players aspiring to be the best versions of themselves both on and off the court.
“She really aspired for girls to play netball and to do the best that they could,” she said.
“In recent years, rain, hail, or shine, she was up here with her beanie and coat on watching these young kids play.
“You would find a beautiful handwritten card (from Joan) in your mailbox because one of your kids had gotten into an academy or interleague or something like that, which was just so heartfelt from her.”
Sharing similar memories were two of Joan’s daughters, Jenny Barras and Wendy Hartley, who were among the family members in attendance for the official unveiling.
“She loved being part of (netball), she loved the girls and she loved seeing people evolve on and off the court,” Jenny said.
“She was my coach for a long time, her netball knowledge and coaching was amazing, sometimes it was hidden, you didn’t realise how much knowledge she had about netball.
“She coached one netball team from the beginning, right through to seniors.
“She really cared for people — she stayed in touch with them all, she was always writing cards for their 21st and then their 40th and then for their babies.”
Wendy said her mum’s unwavering commitment wasn’t just reserved for her on-court duties, constantly going to great lengths to ensure her beloved canteen treats were immaculate.
“We shared a lot of her early mornings making the sandwiches. She wouldn’t use stale bread. She always went to the bakery early every weekend to get fresh bread,” she said.
“Even after she watched the football in Melbourne, she’d come home and start making vegetable soup. You always smelled vegetable soup in the kitchen.”
Reflecting on her mother’s legacy, Jenny said she hopes people remember Joan for her care and commitment to the association.
“She just wanted to see the netball association continue to grow,” she said.