Year: 2019

Paluma Goes International

A small but very enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Community Hall on Saturday evening (2 November 2019) for the latest event on the Paluma social calendar with an International theme.

Continents and countries the world over were represented as many of the attendees donned their finest (and not so-finest) international costumes to celebrate multiculturalism, Paluma-style. There were Mexicans, an Egyptian, two Fijians (fresh off the cruise boat), North Americans and European nations all represented. There were a few Aussies, a Scotsman and even a Drop Bear (of uncertain nationality and with a strange rear appendage) made an appearance on the night.

A wide selection of dishes from around the world meant that there was plenty of good food to enjoy. Some patrons told their best and very worst jokes on the night. The group was pleasantly surprised by the return that very afternoon of the Cooke’s (Peter & Jan) who have just made their annual migration south (from NT) for the summer. Great company of friends and neighbours ensured a good time and many laughs were had by all.

The Sky is the (Outer) Limit at Paluma

It was a very busy weekend in Paluma for the crew from Outer Limits Adventure Fitness. They had over 50 people for the open day at the high ropes course on Saturday, before turning it all into ‘Dinner Under The Stars’ (actually in the clouds with fairy lights) on Saturday night for over 100 guests. The dinner was catered by the Feel Good Foodie truck. It was a great social evening with locals and runners enjoying the evening.

On Sunday all the attention turned to the Trail Run as 350 runners lined up to tackle the challenging trails around Paluma. The 20 km run took the participants across Cloudy Creek, Ethel Creek, then back via the road and down to Blue Gum Creek and then back to the village via Witt’s lookout.

The 10 km event went straight down the Blue Gum trail and back via Witt’s Lookout. The 6 km course included all the village trails – Rainforest Loop, H-Track, Witt’s Lookout and the Andree Griffin Track. The weather turned it on for the runners with clear blue skies and a perfect Paluma day. It was a magic day on the trails!

Article & Photo provided by Sam Stedman

Night shift at the Paluma bird-feeder

Late last Friday night when I went to turn out the lights before bed I noticed some movement in our bird feeder and realised that we had a nocturnal thief chowing down on some leftover mashed dates. I have often noticed distinct non-bird droppings in the feeder when cleaning out the dish and had suspected a native rat was the culprit; and I was right. Here it is looking quite at home and not at all concerned about my iPhone sticking out the louvre window at him.

Its nice to see one of our native mammals as they are not easily spotted unless you get out at night with a spotlight in your garden or on the tracks, where bandicoots and pademelons are regulars.

Short video of our nocturnal visitor

While this is clearly a rat, I am not at all confident what species it is. However the possibilities are not that large. To my understanding there are basically 3 species of native rat that are common in the rainforest around Paluma (and no non-native ones thank goodness). The white-tailed rat that wreaks havoc with local garbage bins can be eliminated based on size and tail colour. The video above shows that tail is uniform and brownish grey, and it’s not nearly big enough for a white-tailed rat. That leaves the Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes) or the Fawn-footed Melomys (Melomys cervinipes). My guess is that this is the Fawn-footed Melomys. The Bush Rat tends not to climb as much as the Melomys (its a bit tricky getting up to our feeder) and it also has a fairly distinctive pattern of circular ridges on its tail (see photo below of a Bush Rat) that I could not see in the albeit soft focused video. Perhaps someone can offer a more knowledgeable identification?

The Bush Rat has a distinctive pattern of circular ridges on its tail as can be seen on this individual seen at our house last year.

Text and photos by Jamie Oliver

PDCA Matters

Changes to the PDCA Executive Committee.

Recently Michele Bird resigned from the position of PDCA Secretary due to work commitments. Michele did a fantastic job in this role and put many hours into ensuring our meetings were recorded accurately and promptly. She was also an effective and thoughtful voice in many of our discussions on important issues affecting Paluma. Many thanks Michele!

Michele has also been a prominent and prolific contributor (and co-editor) to our new website. I am delighted that she has indicated that she will continue in this role.

Fortunately, we have been able to find a highly capable new Secretary in Anne Bruyeres. Ann has a long association with Paluma and I am sure she will be a great addition to the Executive Committee. Welcome Anne!

The updated list of PDCA Executive members can be found here

Jamie Oliver

A record of accomplishments

Our numbers for paid up membership this year are a bit down compared to previous years, and we hope that this is more a matter of forgetfulness than a lack of support for the PDCA and its efforts on behalf of the Paluma community. However the Executive Committee also felt it would be worth documenting the various efforts and achievements of the PDCA in recent years. It turned out to be a fairly impressive list and we would like to share that with all of you, and also let you know what our priorities are for the next 12 months or so. Hopefully this list will help reassure paid members that their dues are a worthwhile investment into ensuring we maintain Paluma and a fantastic place to live or to retreat to on weekends and holidays. We also hope that those of you who have forgotten to join this year will be motivated to do so – you will be receiving email reminders shortly! Or you can click here to download a renewal form.

If you have any thoughts or ideas on how the PDCA can better contribute to the Community, or what our priorities should be, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the executive by email, or phone. Or you can add a comment to this post and start an open conversation.

PDCA Achievements/Activities over the last several years

Lobbying local and state government to achieve more favourable policies or better facilities around Paluma

  • Strongly opposed proposal to re-open Paluma Dam for motorized boats
  • Extended campaign to improve quality of drinking water in Paluma
  • Joint meeting with TCC and Transport & Main Roads to discuss need for more coordinated clearing of roadside vegetation, effective management of road closures
  • Holding various community meeting to discuss important issues and to communicate to local government
  • Key outcomes include:
    • Council decided not to pursue the opening of the dam for motorboats
    • Sealing of initial part of Hussey Road
    • More timely maintenance of Paluma Dam road potholes and erosion ditches
    • Paluma Water issues and new water treatment plant -– resulted in commissioning of a new $300,000 water treatment facility in 2018
    • Agreement with TMR to include significant upgrades to the Range Road in the next budget for major road works
    • Installation of rubbish bins at Crystal Ck. Picnic Ground and additional bins in the Village Green – TCC liaison.
    • Repair of Loop Rd. retaining wall by TCC
    • TCC funded free Wi Fi facility at hall/Village Green
    • Liaison with TCC re design and equipment choice for new playground and moving the footprint out of the PDCA lease area.
    • TCC installation of a new technology sewerage system at public toilets in Village Green- PDCA campaigning to overcome leakage issues.
    • Re-siting of the public playground to ensure it was not on PDCA leased land, thus avoiding a liability issue
    • TCC resurfacing of bitumen road from village to Dam turn-off

Successful applications for funding for new facilities

  • New Telstra mobile phone tower – 2018
  • Contributions for funding of the new Community Hall extension obtained from Qld Gaming Commission ((Through the Paluma Rural Fire Brigade)
  • Grant for the establishment of the Paluma History Display
  • Grant for Replacement of hall chairs and gallery fittings.

Activities that improve village facilities or enhance community coherence amongst residents or provide important target activities for visitors

  • Contribution of $23,000 from PDCA fund raising activities towards cost of hall extension from past PDCA
  • Various social evenings/meals throughout the year
  • Quarterly publication of “Turkey Talk”
  • Paluma Garden Competition
  • Regular Sunday markets and BBQ
  • Paluma History Display most Tuesdays
  • Making the hall available for external hire by relevant groups
  • Assisting with successful signature events such as the annual Paluma Push and Dam Good Run
  • Establishment of the “Trees in Memory” grove on the village green, together with memorial stone
  • Signage for the Andreé Griffin Track and official launch
  • Bruce Plant Memorial function at the Community Hall and the Plant Memorial stone installation and Service. Assisted by a RAAF grant and donations
  • Art Exhibitions promoting local and district artists
  • Liaison with National Parks re refurbishment of Crystal Ck. Picnic area and McClelland Lookout facilities and maintenance of existing walking tracks
  • Promoting Paluma through regular posts on Paluma.org and providing additional resources through our members only pages
  • Organizing working bees to help maintain the Community Hall and surrounding grounds
  • Installation of the PDCA Honour Board in the Community Hall

Future Plans

With continued support from PDCA memberships and community volunteers, the PDCA hopes to achieve even more in the next 1-2 years. Current projects in various stages of conceptual development include:

  • Enhancement of roadside verges with plantings of appropriate species that showcase Paluma’s unique climate
  • Creation of new garden beds and hedges around the Community Hall
  • Development of enhanced signage and interpretation along local walking tracks
  • Construction of a walking loop and viewing platforms along around the village weir to highlight the various flora and fauna (including platypus, water dragons, rainbow fish and key flowering plants)
  • Development of a new annual or biennial event(s) that incorporates elements of previous events such as the Paluma Rainforest Festival, Ephemera in the Mist and Paluma Art Exhibition etc.

Vale Andy Bishop

It is with great sorrow that we report the passing in Maleny late in September of former Paluma resident, Andy Bishop.  

Andy and Ann Bishop were popular long-time residents having come to Paluma from Mt Isa in 1989 to take ownership of the renowned Ivy Cottage Tea Rooms. People came from far and wide to experience the warm hospitality of Ann and Andy, sample the Devonshire teas and see at close hand the many birds that flocked to the cottage gardens. One distinguished guest was David Attenborough.

The Bishops sold Ivy Cottage in 1998 and Andy took up the position of groundsman at Paluma Environmental School where he worked until retirement.

During his time here Andy built as their residence the unusually designed house at No. 13 Mount Spec Road. Always involved in community activities, Andy rode every year until 2017 in the Paluma Push cycle race.  Andy and Ann were keen tap dancers and regularly attended aqua-aerobics.  They moved from Paluma to Maleny in 2016 to be closer to extended family. They continued to live life to the fullest, frequently travelling around Australia and abroad and relishing their retirement and their life together.

Our deepest sympathy and caring thoughts go to Ann in her devastating loss.

Ann & Andy Bishop almost 20 years ago at the commencement of the construction of their home at 13 Mount Spec Road.

Reminder: Upcoming Events at Paluma

Some very exciting events are scheduled at Paluma in the coming weeks during October and early November. Mark up your calendars with the following social events:-

Saturday 26 October – Paluma Dinner Under the Stars at the High Ropes Course. Come along for one of the newest and most enjoyable social events of the year and enjoy some good food and good company under the starry Paluma night sky. Starts at 6 PM. For more information see the Event listing on this website.

Sunday 27 October – Paluma Dam Good Trail Run. For more information see the flyer on this website or contact: info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au

Saturday 2 November 6.30 PM – This year the PDCA will host a new Social Event with an International Night at the Community Hall. The night will include Music From Around the World. Come along dressed in your favourite International costume or theme. Celebrate the nations of the world and multiculturalism Paluma-style. Bring along an internationally-inspired dish to share.

Position Vacant at Paluma

Pickwick Group and Acorshe Pty Ltd require a cleaner Monday and Friday for the following sites in Paluma:-

  •  Public toilets in the Village Green 
  • Townsville City Council office and toilets
  • 2 toilet blocks at Paluma Dam camping
  • 2 Ranger Office areas
  • 3 BBQ areas – monthly

All equipment and chemicals will be supplied.  Employed under the Cleaning Services Award 2010 as a casual $26.03 per hour + allowances – 5 hours per service.  It will be an immediate start.

If you are interested or would like more information please contact Helen Ivey on 0417 649 907.

A Game of Bowers

While Michele has described the efforts of our local Satin Bowerbirds in attracting a love interest, in the surrounding forest another Bowerbird, the Golden Bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana), is also busy constructing bowers that are the largest of the all the Australian bowerbirds, and they are made by the smallest species. Despite its diminutive size, the Golden Bowerbird creates twin towers of twigs that can be up to 3m tall. It decorates them with lichen and pale cream flowers and places a horizontal stick between the base of the towers to serve as a display perch.

Golden Bowerbird at his bower

The bower. The perch is the small stick just visible near the bottom. Note that this picture was taken a week after the previous shot and the lichen ornamentation has been shifted by the male.
The male often perches in a nearby tree looking out for females or other marauding males

It takes a fair bit of work to make these bowers and it turns out that other males (including young males still experimenting at bower-building) are prone to stealing material and ornaments from other bowers to build their own. Immature males sometimes build small bowers close to a more established structure in the hope that they can distract a female over to its more humble edifice while the dominant male is away foraging or stealing from other bowers. If a mature bower-owning bird dies, his bower is usually taken over by another bird in matter of days. One recent study used game theory to determine at what point the pay-off from raiding other birds bowers exceeded the risk of abandoning a bower to other marauding males (distance between bowers was a key factor). The competition and intrigue is worthy of a Game of Thrones plot-line.

An immature male Golden Bowerbird discretely approaching the bower
Immature male at the bower just before being attacked by the resident male

Last week, while photographing one of our local birds, I observed a small dull bird flitting ever closer to the bower through some dense foliage. I thought it might be a female, but I was able to get a shot of it as it took off from a branch just behind the bower and this clearly showed the yellow tinges to the wing that are diagnostic of an immature male. This immature male then went straight to the perch between the two towers of the bower and began inspecting the ornamentation. In a flash the mature male bower owner dived down and the two birds tumbled off into the ground foliage behind the bower in a flurry of feathers and screeches that lasted several seconds before the birds flew off in different directions. The younger bird was not seen again, but I can’t help but feel it is out there somewhere awaiting another chance to steal the throne and the females.

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A small single towered bower made by an immature male less that 15m from the established bower

Don Battersby is our local bird-whisperer -actually it’s more of a shout, but the birds certainly come flocking to his call. When I told him about my observations he regaled me with a complete history of this particular bower, which has occupied at least 4 different positions over the last decade or so, having been abandoned due to damage by tree-falls or in response to over-enthusiastic bird photographers. He was also kind enough to show me a small satellite bower near the site where I had witnessed the altercation. This might well have been built by the immature male that I had seen.

Don knows where virtually all the bowers, and some of the nests are. He is exceptionally generous with his time and is known nationally and internationally amongst “birdos” as the person to visit if you want to get good views and photographs of our rainforest birds. Thanks Don!

Text and photos by Jamie Oliver