Paluma’s very long – term resident, Bud Jones, was a lover of flowers .
Bud resided on HusseyRoad from the 1940s until his death about 20 years ago. He owned three leasehold blocks totalling 15 acres on which he and his wife Nancy lived in a succession of dwellings with their two children before partially building a brick house at no 7 where he started a flower farm business featuring Gladioli of many hues.
He also planted many native flowering trees which still stand today as well as a number of exotics of which the Tibouchina Astonville pictured ( above/ below ) is a luminous example. Indeed , this tree is believed to be the progenitor of the many Tibouchinas around the Village. Whilst the naming of the Village Green after Bud was repealed some years ago his “budding” legacy can be seen in the numerous gladioli and rain lillies popping up around the District.
Well done Bud!
Text & Photo by Michael Drew
Hi,
Buds son Rod Jones served with me in C Coy 31 st Bn RQR in the 1970s, after he returned from service in Vietnam.
Rod resides in Hawkins Creek, but is quite a reserved person.
He was an efficient soldier who never complained.
We normally catch up on ANZAC Day each year, but not this year unfortunately.
I am also ex -31 Bn RQR ,Townsville..AKA The Kennedy Regiment once upon a time…This Bn trained extensively in the Paluma Dam to Jacobsen’s Track area of the forest back in the sixties! as did 51 Bn from Cairns of which i was also a member…..Train to Moongabulla then by GMC six wheelers up the range for “ breakfast “at Jimmy Linton’s Jungle Store. before camping out for 2 weeks at a time in the rainforest where it rained every day! U.S Army ration packs ! Michael Drew
Further info lost incyber space…refer to the books by Capt, Bob Burla 1962 & 1964 for some history of these exercises conducted at a time when the Militia- CMF was the bulk of Australia’s defence soldiers before Vietnam and conscription . The Australian Army Training Team which was sent to Vietnam in 1962- 1968 did a lot of training in the Paluma forests from their Bamboo fort erected on Station Creek over near Jacobsen’s Track…they acted as enemy to the 51 Bn…especially at night when they would sneak into our guarded lines and throw Thunderflashes among our hutchees! They also trained us in throwing grenades ( very dangerous stuff) and shooting Owen Guns and the new M60 machine Gun. We also learned how to travel about on the new Bell Iriquious helicopters cutting landing pads for supplies flown in fro Ingham.