November’s Social Drinks evening has been changed to the second Friday of this month – November 8th. As usual, it will be at the Community Hall.
The bar opens at 6pm. Come along for a catch-up over a drink. Locals and visitors alike are all welcome. Bring a plate of nibbles to share.
A male cassowary captured on one of the ‘camera traps’ in the Paluma Range.
As you may remember from reading a post back in July, there is a multi-year study of the cassowary across Paluma Range currently underway. It has returned some exciting early results with images of at least 7 individual birds so far. An update from the lead researcher, Wren McLean has been received and she has requested it be shared with the community as follows:
The 2nd Paluma Range Cassowary Citizen Science weekend has now been rescheduled to July 4th -6th 2025. For those not yet already informed, my mother has surgery which is scheduled for the end of Oct 2024 so I have committed to caring for her post surgery.
This event will begin at 5pm on Friday 4th July 2025 at the Paluma Community Centre where we can socialise, share an Indian dinner (by donation) and enjoy the open bar before a presentation on the results of the Paluma Cassowary Project and planning session for the weekend’s surveys.
Please save the date and RSVP HERE to join the survey weekend. I will send out an email or two before the event to those registered in preparation for the survey. Apologies for any inconvenience for the reschedule. I hope to see you there in July.
Text and image provided by Wren McClean
Many punters enjoyed the offerings of the various stalls.
Two significant events occurred last Sunday, October 7th: our final markets for the year and the dedication of the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk.
Our last markets for the year, the Paluma Spring Markets, drew many visitors who browsed, chatted, laughed, ate and most importantly, spent their coin at our PDCA stalls. A slow start to the morning but foot traffic increased and remained steady till the end. Reports from all stall holders was one of being very pleased with their sales.
The SES book stall was very pleased with their takings for the morning as was the PDCA baked good and preserves stall.
Wilfred has reported takings for the day to be over $1400! Much gratitude and thanks for the efforts of all involved who have supported raising these funds for the PDCA – for your community. This couldn’t be done without the generosity of those in our community donating goods, time, skills and energy to ensure a successful market. We look forward to catching up with everyone at the next TGIF Friday social evening where we will put on a free sausage sizzle for those who may have missed out on one at the markets. Pass the word round and keep the date, Friday November 1st. Be great to see y’all there.
Jamie spoke of Les and Lynn’s enormous commitment and contribution to the Paluma community which Paul Jacobs acknowledged earlier during the unveiling of the sign.
Immediately following the Markets at 1PM there was a dedication ceremony for the “Hylands’ Rainforest Walk’ which our councillor member and Deputy Mayor, Paul Jacobs opened. Those in attendance heard how grateful and lucky our community was to have Les and Lynn Hyland who have together contributed an enormous amount of time and effort over the past 40 plus years to Paluma. It is obvious there are strong emotional ties and many happy memories Les and Lynn both have with Paluma. And it goes without saying they have left an indelible mark not only on the many events and improvements in our community but in our hearts as well.
Lastly, many thanks to all those who joined the working bees that have made the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk, just opposite the Community Hall, such a lovely easy stroll in the cool rainforest.
Text and photos by J. Poletto unless otherwise stated
At 1pm this Sunday, there will be an official dedication of the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk by Deputy Mayor Paul Jacobs.
All community members and visitors are welcome to attend. The walk is located opposite the rotunda at the community hall. Please be aware of traffic and stay well off the road.
Come and say ‘Hi’ to Les and Lynn Hyland, who have put so much time and effort into our community for more than 35 years.
Photos provided by Lynn and Les showing their active participation in community events and membership of the Rural Fire Brigade.
Text: J. Poletto Images: J. Poletto unless otherwise stated
Our monthly Social Drinks evening is THIS coming Friday, October 4th at the Community Hall. The bar opens at 6pm. Come and mingle and catch up on the latest. Locals and visitors alike are all welcome. Bring a plate of nibbles to share.
🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝
Also, don’t forget there is no working bee this Saturday but if you’re available 8am Sunday morning, meet Wilfred at the hall to help set up for the Sunday Spring Markets. Many hands make light work.
The final market of the year, the Paluma Spring Markets, is fast approaching and will be held on Sunday October 6th. This is a call-out for Paluma’s Kitchen Rockstars to rumble, roll and rock-out some home made goodies to sell for our community’s (PDCA) fund raising.
Also, there will not be a working bee as usual on Saturday 5th BUT, Wilfred would greatly appreciate a hand in getting the hall and bbq set up and ready for the markets on Sunday. Please be at the hall by 8am, Sunday 6th.
If you are interested in doing some baking and donating your goods for sale at the Paluma Spring Market then please read on…..
Here’s what to do:-
If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact Wilfred Karnoll by email: Wilfred.suzanne@bigpond.com or phone 0447822626
Previous cake stalls have been a roaring success. Any and all contributions are very much appreciated.
So many beautiful blooms are all around our village at the moment. From the colour and variety in the carefully tended gardens to the surprise orchid finds in the forest. Such a season of colour and spectacle in this little village.
A little addendum to the previous post: “Paluma…NQ’s Blue Zone’.
After a couple of conversations, I was made aware I had wrongly assumed that all readers of the post would know what a ‘Blue Zone’ is and why one could consider Paluma had the potential to meet some of the criteria of a ‘Blue Zone’. The phrase ‘Blue Zone’ was introduced by Michel Poulain, Dan Buettner and Giovanni Mario Pes when investigating people around the world living longer and better. They developed BLUE ZONES as a brand and certification mark and with a team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists found nine evidence-based common elements across those geographic areas that had these thriving centenarians.
And if you’re wondering, no, Australia does not have any BLUE ZONES however, Paluma has the potential for its residents to engage several of the common elements. If you’re interested to know more you can click on this link, BLUE ZONES.
The Paluma PDCA offers a range of opportunities to feel part of a community whilst contributing to its and your own health. We realise it isn’t easy when there are so many demands on your time and many of us value Paluma as our respite, not a workplace. However, if and whenever you’re able, supporting the working bees, the History Project, social events, markets and other significant village events allows your PDCA to care for our village and it’s assets, as well as raise funds to help with this. Any time and skills you can donate is valued and much appreciated and we’re sure you’ll feel good too as you’ve helped top up the community kitty.
‘How do these funds get used?’ you may ask. All spending is approved first through the PDCA executive committee. There are ongoing costs such as payment of hall maintenance bills, power bills, payment for the hosting of this website, hall landscaping and renewable supplies required for cleaning, the bar and catering. Recent spending this year saw the installation of new 40km signs throughout the village, updating of items in the First aid kit in the hall, the new gravel installed in the parking area out front of the hall, new entryway mats for the hall and even a fire pit for use at community social events. So as you can see, your PDCA funds work for you, the village resident.
Photos by Jill Meads.
Our next PDCA event is the Spring Markets in October which will be on Sunday 6th. Immediately following the markets, at 1pm, there will be a dedication ceremony for the naming of the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk. Our local councillor, and Deputy Mayor of Townsville, Paul Jacobs, will be there. Please feel free to come along to this village event.
This is an early heads up also for our Paluma Kitchen Rockstars – old and new – for baked goods, preserves, etc as well Volunteers for the sausage sizzle and PDCA stall holders for the Spring Markets. Let Wilfred, Anneshka or myself know if you’re available. There will be another post that will provide details regarding the bake stall.
If you’re wishing to have your own table/stall at the October markets, don’t forget you can contact Wilfred on 0447822626.
Text: J. Poletto Images: J. Poletto unless otherwise stated.
Our next Paluma working bee 🐝 will be THIS coming Saturday September 7th.
We will meet at the Community Hall at 2pm. We will be cleaning up Hyland’s track, including: leaf blowing on board walks, using the last of the gravel and tidying up that end of the track.
Also, a focus on cleaning up Loop road including vegetation over the retaining wall. The Cairns birdwing butterfly vine on the hall verandah is in need of a tidy up and trim for anyone wishing to work in the shade.
Bring equipment you think would be useful in the completion of all these tasks. Most importantly, bring your willing hands and smile.
Drinks to follow on the hall verandah at 4pm.
Our monthly Social Drinks evening is THIS coming Friday, September 6th at the Community Hall. The bar opens at 6pm. Come and mingle and catch up on the latest. Locals and visitors alike are all welcome. Bring a plate of nibbles to share.
Last Tuesday night, August 20th, village residents who were getting ready for bed, if not there already, were surprised by a sudden 10 fold increase of Paluma’s population. The Mystery Box Rally had come to an unplanned halt in our little town and could go no further due the night works road closure on the range road. Around 68 cars were backed up on our main drag with about 150 people unable to continue to their end destination of Rollingstone and nearby campgrounds.
To say there was some confusion and chaos amongst the thickest mountain fog this village has seen in a while would be an understatement. A few phone calls and requests for help saw Rick and Dave Roveda kick into action with Sam Stedman putting his organisational and leadership skills into action.
Firstly, Sam tried to get the road closure opened for the group but this was not possible. Later in the night, once campers were established and were being fed, the Rollingstone police weighed in and managed to get a 5 minute window for the rally drivers. Participants were given 10 minutes to pack up and go for it but but only a few took advantage of the opportunity.
Once confirming the road would not open, Sam arranged all rally participants to meet in our community hall. They were unsure of what was going on and what they could do so Sam went through various options with them but in the end, they decided they would stay. Three camp areas were then established: McClellands Lookout car park (with toilets); middle of town / hall area with toilets and Hussey Road.
Outer Limits Adventure Centre was actually running a camp for more than 100 secondary students so Sam used supplies available from his business and was permitted access to our community hall resources (bbq and urn) to provide a hot meal for everyone. His own employees, Aranda and Matt, helped out ensuring cooking and clean up was done efficiently and all campers at the three sites were settled. Dave from Paluma Tea House (Ivy Cottage) provided milk and coffee and by 10:30pm, all went to bed warm and fed.
In the morning, the lucky campers out at Hussey Road got to meet and have coffee with Don who generously served it up. By 8am, all participants were well caffeinated, decamped and were headed down the range for their final destination of the rally – Airlie Beach.
If not for the willingness and capabilities of a few, the consequences of this unplanned stopover may have been very negative for rally participants and the community. From the ‘heads up’ phone calls from the Furbers to Tony at Gumburu, to those who wrangled a confused and stranded 150 strong crowd into organised camping groups who were provided with hot meals and drinks, it ended really quite well.
Credit needs to go to Sam who actually started his Tuesday at 5am at the start of the world championship cross tri at Pallarenda in the morning! Following this with the secondary school camp and ending it by stepping in and helping sort things out. His Outer Limits events and business have truly supported our community over the years. His positive ‘can do’ attitude is refreshing and we can certainly do with more of it. He, with all others involved in ensuring a happy ending to Tuesday night’s debacle deserve a pat on the back and thanks from us all.
Text: J Poletto based on report from Wilfred Karnoll and Sam Stedman