Did anyone else see the spectacular sunset on the Paluma Range on Friday 6 August 2021?
If there is a singular advantage from being stuck in town at work until late on Friday afternoon, it surely has to be the benefit of driving up the Paluma Range on sunset.
My iPhone photos just don’t do justice to the light show put on by Mother Nature – the colours can’t be captured in still images.
After being away from my mountain retreat for some weeks, I started to wonder – was the sunset on Friday last any more spectacular than it usually is, or was it just a sight for (my) sore eyes…?
On Saturday 7 August 2021 the crew of the HMAS Paluma (4) exercised their right of passage of the township of Paluma by a ceremonial march through the centre of the village. It was organised by Townsville City Council and to everyone’s pleasure it was a perfect winter Paluma day with clear skies, warm sunshine and just a tad of winter coolness.
The main thoroughfare through the village, Mt Spec Road, was closed between PEEC and Smith Crescent from 10.45 am to 11.45 am. The crew were marshalled outside PEEC where they were inspected by Councillor Margie Ryder who attend the ceremony on behalf of Mayor Jenny Hill (who sent her apologies as she was in lock-down due to Covid restrictions).
The party then marched along Mt Spec Road until accosted by Rollingstone Police OIC Tony Jacob. The official framed document which granted them the freedom of entry – conferred on the vessel on 14 October 1990 – was produced and the parade was able to continue the march to its dispersal point on Smith Crescent. Two drummers brought up the rear of the parade – doing a splendid job of keeping the beat, especially since the remainder of the band could not attend the ceremony due to Covid restrictions.
The Rainforest Inn catered light refreshments for the Navy crew and distinguished guests, while the local Paluma residents and some visitors enjoyed a free sausage sizzle provided by the PDCA. Thanks to Jamie and Colin for manning the BBQ and keeping everyone fed. The sausage sizzle proved very popular and supplies ran out before too long.
Inside the Community Hall Margie Ryder made a speech before presenting the Captain of the HMAS Paluma a scroll confirming the “Final Right of Entry”. A copy of this was presented to the PDCA as a momento of the occasion and this was gratefully accepted by Les Hyland, on behalf of the Paluma community, the PDCA and the Paluma History Project. Les assured the gathering that this would be embodied in one of the Paluma History Albums for the four ships named “Paluma”.
There was a great turn out of local Paluma residents to support this event and it’s not every day that we see a Navy crew marching down Mt Spec Road in our little village in the mist.
Text by Les Hyland and Photographs by Denise Soars & Les Hyland
If you were thinking that it was about time to wind down from all the recent social events and outings at Paluma, well think again Paluma residents…..!
You are reminded that next Saturday night, 14 August is International Night in the village. This annual social is to be celebrated at the Community Hall, commencing at 6.30 pm.
Come as you are, or come dressed to reflect your heritage, nationality, your favourite country, place or culture. Everyone is welcome and it will be a celebration of multiculturalism – Paluma style.
Please bring a plate to share – hot or cold, sweet or savoury. International dishes to reflect the theme of the night are encouraged. The PDCA Bar will be open for beverages on the night.
A reminder to all interested Paluma residents that Colwyn Campbell will host a Watercolour & Wine Workshop at 4 pm on Saturday 21 August 2021 at the Community Hall.
If you are planning to attend this fun workshop, please contact Colwyn in the coming week to RSVP your attendance. The number of attendees is required so that Colwyn can arrange materials for the Workshop – paints, brushes and paper, etc. If you have some of your own materials, please bring these along.
The twentieth anniversary of the “Paluma Push” was different for all the right reasons. Sam Stedman and Aline of “Outer Limits” are to be heartily congratulated for masterminding the operation, but one must also say that it would not have been possible but for all the various helpers who were involved both before, on, and after the day of the race.
The principal difference was the holding of the race on a Saturday [July 17th] instead of a Sunday, as in all previous years. This permitted the Saturday evening to host a huge party at Hidden Valley Cricket Oval right at the race finish.
It was also a most beautiful sunny winter day, although there were a lot of water issues, many of them on the Paluma Dam Road which is in a deplorable condition. It was repaired in November but with material that did not stand up to the Paluma wet season and was studded with deep water filled potholes and gullies through a great deal of its length.
In the Community Hall a collection of 15 of the 20 “Paluma Push” tee shirts over the years was mounted and so much admired that it was moved to Hidden Valley for Saturday night.
The race start was on Smith Crescent in Paluma and there were five categories this year. The new one was the 100km “Crazy Course” with an extra 20km “Mt Fox Loop” at the last part of the race. There was the normal 70km and a 53km course divided between e-bikes and mountain bikes. The popular 42km Recreation Course was well supported. There were almost 650 competitors and although there were mechanical problems there were only two injuries one of which was sustained riding back on the road from Hidden Valley to Paluma after the race!
There were three electronic mats in use recording the competitors passage at Checkpoints 1, 4 and 6 reducing the number of volunteer manual number takers and improving accuracy. For the detailed results and times go to the Outer Limits website and look for: palumapushresults.
The Hidden Valley Cricket Oval was in use for camping on Friday night, but on Saturday it was transformed into a party ground with the bar run by the PDCA, three food outlets and the band “Shots Fired” providing music for dancing and created a good ambience for the really huge number of competitors, volunteers and others who seemed to all be having a great time especially those sitting around the very large bonfire that was kept blazing.
This is but a brief overview of this remarkable event but it hopefully conveys what an outstanding event the 20th “Paluma Push” was.
This is a notice to all friends and colleagues of Bill White. There will be a farewell wake held for Bill at the Herbert Hotel (102 Sturt Street in the CBD) on Saturday 24 July between 2 pm and 4 pm. All welcome to attend.
The Yellow-Breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) is a small flycatcher restricted to rainforest habitats in North Queensland. They are found from the Paluma Range north to Cape York. They tend to inhabit the middle storey of rainforests where they forage for food, mostly catching insects whilst in flight. They have a broad bill with long distinctive ‘whiskers’. The male bird has brilliant yellow and black plumage while the female is duller in colour.
From my recent conversations with some of our local bird watchers at Paluma it seems the Yellow-Breasted Boatbill is not commonly sighted at Paluma. This might be because this small bird tends to frequent the mid-high canopy in its search for food, or perhaps they are not locally common in the village?
On Sunday (11 July) I was lucky enough to come across some keen bird watchers and friends (Greg and Michael) who were eagerly photographing this male Boatbill (below) at the Village Green. The bird was flitting in and out of the canopy in the large trees at the western end of the Green. Greg has kindly shared the photographs below. If you haven’t yet seen the Yellow-Breasted Boatbill, keep your eye out next time you visit the Village Green. Just look for a flash of brilliant yellow way up high in the canopy!
Check out that broad bill…..!
Text by Michele Bird and Photographs kindly shared by Greg Calvert
On Saturday (10 July) I came across some rather spectacular bright purple fungi at the Village Green. There was only a small patch of these amazing fungi, poking up through the grass in deep shade. I can only suppose that the fungi might have popped up over night, because when I saw them in the early morning they looked fresh, bright and were vibrant in colour. They were easily spotted amongst the green grass. By next day and some 24 hours later, the fungi had faded to a dull brown-beige colour with only the merest hint of purple remaining around the very edge of the cap.
Bright purple fungi when first spotted on the Village Green last Saturday (10 July).
This website has featured many previous posts on the amazing diversity of fungi growing in and around the village – in various habitats from local gardens, along walking tracks and in deep rainforest. Checking these previous posts I can’t see any other examples of ‘purple fungi’ resembling those recently spotted on the Village Green. I did do a bit of googling in the attempt to identify these fungi, but being far from an expert, I gave up before too long. Can anyone help to identify these rather brilliant mauve mushrooms…..?
The first photo shows the bright purple colouring when the fungi was fresh. The second photo shows the same fungi the next day, with all the brilliant purple colouring now faded to dull brown-beige.
Jill Meads is currently fund-raising for the Children’s Cancer Institute.
She is collecting all recyclable cans, tins and plastic bottles – all those recyclables eligible for the 10 cent refund. If you have any recyclables to donate please drop them at 26 Mt Spec Road, or give Jill a call and she can pick them up.
It was a very busy weekend at Paluma (26 & 27 June) with a hive of activity going on around the place. The rather cool winter weather and the thick veil of mist that failed to lift for several days did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for the range of activities on offer – from bush dancing, bike riding, bushwalking and shopping.
It all started on Saturday with the annual Paluma Bush Dance hosted by Wattle ‘n’ Gum. While the Dance this year was moved to the earlier time slot of 1 to 4 pm, a good crowd of more than 50 people gathered at the Community Hall to dance the afternoon away. Lynda and Don fed the hungry patrons with a pre-dance tasty sausage sizzle, which was a sell-out. From the hokey-pokey to the heel-to-toe, everyone had a great time dancing with their friends and family. We even had a visit from Sergeant Tony from Rollingstone who dropped in to say hello and sample the sausage sizzle. Barman Les was worked off his feet to keep everyone hydrated with their favourite beverages. The PDCA did a roaring trade with the sausage sizzle, bar takings and tea/coffee sales. Well done to all the Paluma community volunteers and a big thank you to Wattle ‘n’ Gum for the fantastic entertainment. Special mention goes to Jill, Suzanne and Anne who didn’t miss a single dance all afternoon!
After a good sleep on Saturday night, the action was on again first thing Sunday morning!
Sam and a very keen crew of bike riders left the village early and rode off into the mist to make a practice run for the upcoming Paluma Push. Other visitors to the village took off on bush walks and bird-finding expeditions.
At 9 am the Paluma Market opened with Lynda and Don firing up the BBQ yet again for another sausage sizzle. Stallholders at the market reported steady trade for the day. There was a range of goods on offer to buy from plants, books, cards, jewellery, spices and condiments, handmade arts and crafts, fruit and veggies and home-baked sweet treats. Tea/coffee sales went well, boosted by Jill’s delicious fruit and nut slice (many of us ate more than our fair share!). Jill’s fund-raising for the Children’s Cancer Institute was a success and raised important funds for the charity. The winner of the ‘pick the numbers’ competition on the day was Catherine (the Spice Lady from Ingham).
All in all a very busy and action-packed weekend was had in the not-so-sleepy little village of Paluma. I don’t know about everyone else, but I need to go back to work for a rest after the weekend!
Check out these photos of some of the action over the two days…………
Roy Bird really enjoyed the sausage sizzle at the Market.
So did Colwyn and Sonya!
Text by Michele Bird. Photos by Michele, Sonya and Gail.
