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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

Community Working Bee – May

Last Saturday’s Community Working Bee (6 May) was attended by Colin, Anneshka, Julia, Ian, Don, Charlie and Wilfred. The main focus of the Working Bee was to continue the track upgrading and drainage work on the Rainforest Walking Track. This centrally located track allows walkers of all capabilities to experience our rare and special Wet Tropics Rain Forest. It is a 600 metre long track constructed with steps and viewing platforms. It even has a new park bench made from recycled plastics installed at the halfway mark along the track.

Jamie and Juanita continued cleaning up the corner of Mt Spec Road and Loop Road to make visible the previously overgrown signage directing visitors to McLelland Lookout and the various businesses and accommodation in the village.

The next Working Bee will be held on the 3rd of June and will focus on giving the Community Hall a much needed spring (or autumn) clean. Now that we are moving into the drier months we plan to attack the mould, dust and grime inside and outside the building. Come along and lend a hand,  refreshments will be served after the event.

Text by Wilfred Karnoll

COMMUNITY ALERT

Following the recent attempted break in at the Rainforest Inn there has been a reported case of squatters taking over one of the residences along Mt Spec Road. They apparently found the key to the property that was hidden in a “safe” place. The unauthorised “visitors” helped themselves to some of the alcohol, left a mess and caused some water damage when they left a tap running.

This is just another reminder that our village is not immune from these kinds of criminal acts of wilful damage and vandalism. All property owners should reconsider and upgrade their security precautions and keep a watchful eye out for suspicious activity in our community.

A reminder of some important contact numbers:-

Police Link (non-life threatening issues) – 131 444

Rollingstone Police – 4770 7144

Text by Wilfred Karnoll & Michele Bird

Paluma History Display Is Open

A reminder that the Paluma History Display will re-open from this Tuesday 9th May at the Community Hall. The History Display will be open from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm every Tuesday, subject to the availability of volunteers to run the display. Drop in to the Community Hall to learn all about the history of Paluma, as well as things to see and do whilst visiting the village and surrounds. You can even enjoy a cuppa at the same time.

Len Cook: Fire & Rain

This coming Friday, the Perc Tucker Gallery will be opening a retrospective exhibition of 4 decades of works from our local award-winning ceramic artist, Len Cook.

The exhibition will open this Friday, May 12 and run until August 2023. On Saturday, May 13, Len will give a talk at the Gallery about his work

Len Cook is one of Australia’s foremost woodfired
potters. The exhibition FIRE AND RAIN draws
together nearly 80 artworks created over 40
years Of ceramic practice with loans from public
and private collections, as well as key works from
the artist’s own collection.


The exhibition highlights the artists lifelong
passion for wood-fired kilns and pots that are
glazed by natural ash deposits over extended
firing in traditional Japanese anagama (cave)
kilns. Len Cook’s practice encompasses domestic
ware, ceramic sculpture inspired by the coral
forms Of the Great Barrier Reef, and his anagama-
fired work.

https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/theatres-and-galleries/perc-tucker-regional-gallery/exhibitions

Join artist Len Cook and curator Ross Searle as
they discuss the works on display in Cook’s
exhibition FIRE AND RAIN.
Floor Talk
Saturday 13 May
10.30am

Reminder: Working Bee this Saturday 6th May

A reminder to Paluma residents that the monthly Village Working Bee will take place this coming Saturday 6th May. The weather is beautiful so it’s a great time to get out in the fresh air to help with all those maintenance jobs around our village.

Please meet at the Community Hall at 2 pm and from there tasks will be assigned to team members. Refreshments will be provided after the work is done. If you have some garden tools (shovel, wheelbarrow, pruners, secateurs, etc) bring them along with you.

If you have any questions, Wilfred is the man to see.

Another Baby Tree Snake

I have previously posted (bragged) about the haven my garden provides for brown tree snakes of all sizes (Boiga irregularis). In October 2022 I posted a photograph of a rather cute baby brown tree snake amongst the foliage in my bromeliad patch. Today I encountered another baby resting on the broad leaves of one of my anthuriums amongst the pot plants. I couldn’t resist sharing this photograph of this very handsome specimen. Check out those huge eyes….!

Text & Photo by Michele Bird