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.
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.
Les and Lynn Hyland at the start of the walk named in their honour in recognition of their love of hiking in their younger days and their many contributions to Paluma Community. Photo: J. Oliver
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.
Topknot Pigeons are most often seen in flight, usually in flocks high over the forest, says the Birds of Australia guide by Campbell et al.
And that’s how we mostly see them during their nomadic and sporadic visits to Paluma when then the time is right to find their favourite food plants fruiting. So it was a big surprise for Tracy Cooper on her way to work at the dam last week when she came across this big pigeon perched on a fallen branch beside Mt Spec Road.
She stopped and walked back, hoping to get a picture but expecting the bird to fly off. It showed no disturbed reaction to her approach to about a metre away and she was able to get these great pics. It showed no visible sign of injury or illness, other than being close to the ground and being undisturbed by people approaching.
Tracy’s colleague saw it separately on the way to work and it was still there on the same branch in the afternoon when he dropped some fruit of Ficus destruens beside the perch. The next morning it was gone.
Topknots (Lopholaimus antarcticus) may be seen singly or in pairs or flocks high above the canopy when they aren’t feeding or nesting in the canopy.
The Atherton Tableland, Paluma and the Lamington Plateau are good places to see them say Campbell et al but single rare migrants have been seen even in Tasmania.
Topknot Pigeons have lost much of their rainforest habitat to clearing, but have compensated by feeding on the introduced tree species Camphor Laurel and they may spread this unwelcome weed into agricultural areas.
Although the Paluma bird looked perky enough, being out of the canopy and not being frightened away by people does suggest it wasn’t well.
Australia is worried about new variants of avian flu arriving here from wild birds coming in from overseas. Birds have been coping with, and developing some resistance to, bird flu for thousands of years but the virus may mutate from common strains in domestic or commercial flocks when passing back to wild bird populations. A new variant may be catastrophic for wild bird populations.
People are being asked to report sick birds. “The following are indications that a bird may be sick or injured: The bird is quiet, dull, the eyes may be closed, and it has fluffed feathers (the bird looks “puffed up”). It may have an obvious wound, breathing problems, a drooping wing, or show lameness or an inability to stand. It does not fly away when approached.”
Even though this bird looked pretty perky Tracy and colleague were wise not to handle it.
Photos by Tracy Cooper. Text by Peter Cooke
Some additional comments from Jamie:
The topknot pigeon is endemic to Australia and is fairly common in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forest along the entire eastern coastal ranges. In flight their size and distictive white tail band help in identification, while when perched the fluffy brown swept-back crown is diagnostic, bringing to mind aging rockstars or a past US president whose comb-over got blown back in the wind.
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:-
Please divide your baked goods into small batches for sale. We suggest batches of 2, 4 or 6 individual pieces as this has worked well at previous markets.
Please add a sticker or other suitable label outlining the contents of your baked goods. You will need to add this label to EVERY individual batch of goods. This is required for health & safety reasons. (If you get your the name of your item and list of ingredients to Anneshka, she will print them on sticky labels for you! But please, don’t leave this to the last minute).
Please plate the goods (in batches) and secure with glad wrap or suitable packaging. (We have previously used paper plates and glad wrap and this works well).
Please add a price sticker to your goods, with what you think is a fair and reasonable price for your baked delights. We can provide price stickers if needed.
Please deliver your goods to the Community Hall on Sunday morning 6th October at 8.30 AM (for a 9 am market start).
Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!😊
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.
Photo by Jamie Oliver.
‘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.
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.
