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Reminder: Community Meeting with Councillor Margie Ryder – Sunday, August 20th

On Sunday, August 20th at 10 am the PDCA is hosting a community meeting with our Townsville City Council representative, Margie Ryder.  This will provide an opportunity for Margie to report on what the Council has been doing and to listen to any concerns that Paluma residents may have relating to council facilities and initiatives.  Items that we will be inviting Margie to comment on include:

  1. Plans for signage at the village entrance, and upgrade of other signs around the village
  2. Dog Poo bag dispensers and other issues on animal control (Cats, noisy dogs)
  3. Community security in the light of multiple recent events in and around the village
  4. Road Maintenance
  5. Vegetation control (weeds)

The meeting is open to all Paluma Residents.  Please come along to have your say.

Where’s Wary? Volunteers needed to count Cassowaries around Paluma-Mt Spec

Although Cassowaries have been seen very occasionally by many of us on the roads and tracks near the village, the only one we can be guaranteed to see in Paluma is the barbed-wire sculpture of “Wary the Cassowary” in front of Wilfred Karnoll’s house. Cassowaries are an iconic and charismatic resident of the Wet Tropics, but due to multiple human-related threats, they are listed as endangered. As many of us can attest Cassowaries are not easy to spot, even when there are nearby, and getting information on population numbers in different areas is very difficult. A new project to fill in this gap has recently commenced and the researchers are looking for volunteers to assist them in their work, or to provide any additional local knowledge that could help their assessments. This project is being conducted in conjunction with BirdlifeAustralia’s “Birds with Altitude” program, that is monitoring a range of Endangered and Vulnerable species in the Wet Tropics.

If you would like to volunteer for these projects, or would like to learn more about the issues they are addressing, please come along to the Launch event at the Paluma Community Hall on August 25th. There will be a catered dinner (donations accepted to defray costs) at 6pm and presentations at 7pm and organising volunteer teams at 8pm. For catering purposes please register if you intend to come to the dinner and think you want to volunteer. Any residents just wanting to learn more are welcome come to the presentations. Surveys and training for both the Cassowary and Birds with Altitude citizen science programs will then be held over the 26th and 27th.

To register follow this LINK. Further information below:

Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Camp Out

Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Camp Out

Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville & BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.RSVP

Time and location

25 Aug, 1:00 pm AEST – 28 Aug, 10:00 am AEST

Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba Group Area, Lake Paluma, Crystal Creek QLD 4816, Australia

About the event

Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Birds With Altitude Camp Out

25 – 28 August 2023

Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville and BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.

The only targeted surveys for cassowaries on the Paluma Range were for the faecal DNA wet tropics populaton analysis (Westcott et al 2014). No scats, signs or sightings were recorded during that study however, the extrapolated population estimate for the area was 16 adult birds. The Paluma Range however contains 22,050 ha of potential habitat and birds are sighted here semi-frequently. So let’s track them down to add to our body of knowledge about the distribution, abundance, habitat condition and threats to Cassowaries here. Please download the Birdata App on your phone.

Camping @ Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba group camping area or self-arranged B&B accommodation at Paluma Village.

Friday evening welcome, presentation and dinner @ Paluma Community Centre, 65 Mount Spec Road, Paluma.

Friday, 25 August

1:00 pm campsite open @ Paluma Community Centre – Nywaigi Welcome to Country.

6:00 pm catered dinner.

7:00 pm presentations on Cassowary and Birds with Altitude programs. Organise survey teams and locations.

Saturday, 26 August

AM survey designated routes.

PM review camera trap data. Self-catered.

Sunday, 27 August

AM survey designated routes.

PM review findings & camera trap data. Sunday night camping optional. Self-catered.

Monday, 28 August

AM survey optional.

Checkout by 10:00 am.

Funded by a Qld Government CSA – Threatened Species Grant and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Supported by BirdLife Townsville, BirdLife Australia, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, NQ Dry Tropics NRM and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and thank you to the Paluma Community Centre for gifting in-kind support of the community centre for the Friday evening.Read moreRSVP

Game On!! Paluma Games Night August 5th

Our Annual Palum Games night, organised by Peter and Dorothy Klump will be held in just a few weeks, on Saturday, August 5th at the Community Hall.

The evening will start with a sausage sizzle dinner ($3.00) at 6:00 pm with the bar also open for the purchase of drinks. By 7:oo pm, the teams of two will have been announced and the various games will commence. These will include darts, indoor bowls, ping pong, and soccer pinball to name a few.

Previous years have proved a great success with lots of friendly participation mixed with bouts of enthusiastic competition. There are probably a few residents looking to topple the previous winners in some categories so the spirits will be high. Hope to see you there!

PDCA Community Meeting with Townsville Councillor Margie Ryder

On Sunday, August 20th at 10am the PDCA is hosting a community meeting with our Townsville City Council representative, Margie Ryder.  This will provide an opportunity for Margie to report on what the Council has been doing and to listen to any concerns that Paluma residents may have relating to council facilities and initiatives.  Items that we will be inviting Margie to comment on include:

  1. Plans for signage at the village entrance, and upgrade of other signs around the village
  2. Dog Poo bag dispensers and other issues on animal control (Cats, noisy dogs)
  3. Community security in the light of multiple recent events in and around the village
  4. Road Maintenance
  5. Vegetation control (weeds)

The meeting is open to all Paluma residents.  Please mark this date and come along to have your say.

Reminder:  Bush Dance and Paluma Markets this weekend. (June 24-25)

The annual Wattle n Gum Bush Dance and BBQ will be held at the Paluma Community Hall  this Saturday June 24th.  This is one of our most popular events of the year and there is always an eager group of dancers and bush music enthusiasts to encourage the band.  The BBQ will start a 12noon with the band commencing at 1pm. The bar will open, of course.    More details here.

The Paluma Markets will commence the next day (Sunday) and will be open from 9am to 1pm

Your PDCA News Brief – What’s Happening in Your Community

1.  A proposal for refurbishment of signs in and around the village including the village entrance, is being put together.  

2. Security – After the community meeting which followed the PDCA meeting, actions are being taken to officially register our community with Neighbourhood Watch through our local police station.  Our local security issues will be raised at a meeting in August with our local council representative, Margie Ryder.  We encourage everyone to register on our Paluma WhatsApp group set up solely for security purposes.

3.  Events Calendar:  This is regularly updated on the website. Please keep a lookout for any changes and community notices.  A new occasional social event will begin soon.  It is an end of week “Friday Chill” gathering where the bar at the hall will be open from 5 – 7pm to kick back, catch up and generally chill out with your mountain mates.  Do keep an eye on community posts on the website for the inaugural evening.  We have to note here our social event organisers are simply excellent at generating community spirit and we thank them for their extra time and effort for our benefit.

4.  A Community Meeting is being organised with Margie Ryder with an August date to be confirmed:  Issues to be raised and discussed include:  signage; animal control and hygiene; community security; vegetation control and road maintenance.  All will be welcome to attend.

5.  The Hall Bar management has officially been handed over to the capable Lynda Radbone from our iconic Irishman, Les Hyland.  Les’s many years of reliable service  and cheerful management of the Hall bar was noted and we appreciate his generosity of spirit and time in ensuring the takings were profitable.  Thank you Les and we look forward to seeing you enjoying your 92nd birthday celebrations coming up SOON!!!

6.  The Paluma History Display – Lyn and Les Hyland are stepping away from involvement in the History display.  Lyn’s contributions and efforts to ensure an effective, interesting and valuable documentation of Paluma’s heritage is very much appreciated.  Her input and efforts will be very much missed.  Anneshka Brown will be calling for volunteers to help support our history display which will be changing from a Tuesday to a Wednesday.

If any of the above raises questions or you would like to know more information, please don’t hesitate to contact any of your PDCA committee members.

Did you know, five years ago on June 23rd, Paluma’s water treatment plant was opened by Margie Ryder and the community was invited to tour the facility?

It was your PDCA which played a key role in getting the Townsville City Council to install the facility.  This became a necessity after a series of momentary shutdowns, monthly testing for giardia and finally many months of water not being fit for drinking.  

Text and Photos by Juanita Poletto

And the polar bear award goes to….

Our recent working bee, held on the first Saturday of each month, was capably organised by Wilfred Karnoll and focused on cleaning the community hall.  A willing troupe of helpers with a range of cleaning gear – some of it motorised but most of it powered by good old ‘elbow grease’ – gathered to polish our local hall up.  Whilst the resident Cairns birdwing larvae decided to pack up shop and find new digs elsewhere, Wilfred ensured we didn’t miss a corner, ceiling or railing and was all over, in and around the hall himself mending and replacing bits as needed.  The stoic group of locals continued in the rain and wind till their allocated section was completed.


The wind chill factor in the rain was quite bracing to say the least.  However the Polar Bear Award goes to young Colin who was soaking wet due to pressure spraying and scrubbing the ceilings!  You could hear his teeth chattering as he walked home in the wind and drizzle. Given the chilly weather, the cold drinks afterwards are on a rain check with Wilfred.  (Pun intended)

Text by Juanita Poletto; Photos by Leonie Crennan

Pictures of people on Paluma.org

During many of our community events such as community social evenings working bees and meetings. Members of the PDCA often take pictures during these events including individual participants. These pictures are then used to enhance a post on Paluma.org or other publications that report on this event.

While the editors of Paluma.org, and other PDCA executive members generally receive positive feedback regarding the use of pictures of participants in various events, we have been made aware that some individuals would prefer not to have their photographs published.

This matter was discussed at our last Annual General Meeting (AGM) and it was decided that while the practice of taking pictures by authorised people and subsequent posting on Paluma.org should continue, there should be a clear and simple procedure for those who are not comfortable having their picture published to opt-out.

The PDCA AGM agreed that we should never take or publish pictures of people who have indicated that they do not want this to occur. We (the organizers of events) will endeavour to remind people at each event that we are taking pictures for publication but we ask those who do not want this, to ensure that the photographer or one of the event organizers knows that you feel this way as soon as possible. If an event photographer starts taking your picture or has just taken your picture before you have had a chance to express your wishes, please politely let them know and they will ensure that no images of you are published.

I hope that the procedures above will provide appropriate assurances to those who do not wish to have their picture taken, while still allowing others to enjoy reviewing the description and images of recent events that they had fun at, or wished they hadn’t missed!

If you have any concerns regarding this issue please don’t hesitate to contact me or any other member of the PDCA by email or in person.

Jamie Oliver
PDCA President

Community Neighbourhood Watch meeting this Saturday

In the last month we have had an attempted break-in at the Inn, illegal squatting in one of the residential properties, vandalism at Little Crystal Creek picnic area and repeated episodes of cars hooning and speeding in the vicinity of the Village. This sudden increase in illegal and antisocial activity is a major concern. While the police have been notified of these occurrences, it would be useful for members of the Community to get together and discuss how we can ensure there is increased vigilance and early warnings of any potential incidents around the village as well as prompted and detailed reporting as soon of any actual incident.

I suggest that we hold a Community Neighbourhood Watch meeting this Saturday at 1 pm in the Community Hall so that we can review what is happened and what actions we, as a community, could take in order to reduce the risks and increase overall security and peace of mind in the Village.

The PDCA executive group will also be meeting earlier in the morning and will discuss this issue (as well as other matters) and will provide some thoughts on how the PDCA, local government and local police might be able to help with this spate of unfortunate incidents.

Jamie Oliver