Posts – Page 12 – Paluma – our village in the mist

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

Further Call-Out for Paluma Push Volunteers

The Paluma Push is 5 weeks away on the 15^th July with preparations in full swing. As you are all aware, the very generous donations that we have received from this event over many years, has greatly supported the expansion of our fire-fighting equipment and capability.

I spoke with Sam Stedman today about manning the race checkpoints which is essential to the safe running of the event. Currently, the following checkpoints require volunteers/more volunteers to fill them.

Checkpoint 2 – 4 people required, site in rainforest on other side of Paluma dam wall.

Checkpoint 4 – another 2 people required, site in drier country, up the hill on Hidden Valley Station. Sonya & Ross at checkpoint currently but are flexible on where stationed.

Checkpoint 4b – 2 people required with quads preferred. Site in drier country, up the hill on Hidden Valley Station.

Checkpoint 4c – 2 people required with quads preferred. Site in drier country, up the hill on Hidden Valley Station.

If you are planning on helping out or have friends who may be interested, please let me know or alternatively contact Sam 0421 484 211 or Aline 0401 572 071 or email: info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au.

It’s a great social day out and in spekky country. A big thank you to those who have all ready volunteered for the event.

If you have any questions at all about the day, checkpoints or what to expect, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. See you around the next couple of weeks.

Kind regards

Sonya Bryce

Secretary / Treasurer, Paluma Rural Fire Brigade, Mobile (0474) 324 153

Bruce Highway Road Closure, Thursday 8 June

QPWS Controlled Burn on the Range

Please be advised that QPWS will be conducting prescribed burn operations on the Range Rd on Tuesday June 13, 2023, between Little Crystal Creek and the rainforest towards Paluma (weather and conditions dependent).

As a result of this, smoke may impact the area from Tuesday next week and may persist for several days following. Traffic control will be in place for the duration of burn operations on June 13 (approximately 10:00am to 3:00pm).

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sonya Bryce on (0474) 324 153 or Ranger in Charge, Tim Devlin on (07) 4777 3112.

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

Reminder: June Events at Paluma

The month of June and winter is just around the corner and this is timely reminder of the upcoming events in the Paluma Community this June.

A reminder that this Saturday 3rd June the monthly Working Bee will be held in the village. If you can spare a couple of hours to participate, please meet at the Community Hall at 2 pm. This month the focus of the work will be at the Hall itself which is in need of a ‘spit and polish’ and some ‘elbow grease’. Wilfred will shout a refreshment after the work is done on Saturday afternoon.

In June everyone’s favourite Leprechaun Leslie Hyland will celebrate his 92nd birthday. To make the occasion there will be a get-together at the Community Hall on Saturday evening 17th June at 6.30 pm. The Bar will be open for drinks and please bring along a plate of food to share. Everyone is welcome to come along and wish Leslie a very happy birthday.

On 24th June the annual Paluma Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum will be held at the Community Hall. This is a fun afternoon of music and dancing, kicking off (literally) at 1 pm, after a BBQ sausage sizzle for lunch at 12 pm. The Bar will be open for beverages. A gold coin donation at the door is requested please. What better way to warm up in the cool winter weather than a bit of hokey-pokey at the Community Hall!

The Paluma Community Market will be held on Sunday 25th June from 9 am to 1 pm, the morning after the Bush Dance. Come along to enjoy the sausage sizzle and browse and buy from the various stalls selling plants, arts and crafts, jewellery and other wares.

Mark these dates in your diary and we will see you for some dusting, dancing, drinking and boot scootin’ at Paluma in June.

Call for Volunteers – Paluma Push

Sam Stedman from Outer Limits Adventure is calling for community volunteers to lend a hand during this year’s Paluma Push event to be held on Saturday 15 July 2023.

If you can spare a few hours to assist with the various tasks associated with the Paluma Push, please register your interest with Sam or Aline as soon as possible. All volunteers will be fully briefed in the usual way before the event.

Please register your interest to be a community volunteer NOW at the contact details below, or catch Sam when you see him round the village.

Sam Stedman 0421 484 211 Aline Stedman 0401 572 071

Email: info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au

QPWS Controlled Burn on the Range Road, May 15 and 16

Please be advised that QPWS will be conducting controlled burn operations on the Paluma Range Road, Monday May 15 and Tuesday May 16, between ‘The Saddle’ and Little Crystal Creek (weather and conditions dependent).

As a result of this, smoke may impact the Range Road from Monday May 15 and may persist for several days following. Traffic control will be in place on Tuesday May 16 for the duration of burn operations (approximately 10.00 am to 3.00 pm).

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sonya Bryce (Paluma RFB) or QPWS Ranger in Charge, Tim Devlin on (07) 4777 3112.

Text by Sonya Bryce