Meet at the Rotunda next to the Community Hall at 2PM where Wilfred will let us know what the plans for the afternoon are.
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Where’s Wary? Volunteers needed to count Cassowaries around Paluma-Mt Spec
Although Cassowaries have been seen very occasionally by many of us on the roads and tracks near the village, the only one we can be guaranteed to see in Paluma is the barbed-wire sculpture of “Wary the Cassowary” in front of Wilfred Karnoll’s house. Cassowaries are an iconic and charismatic resident of the Wet Tropics, but due to multiple human-related threats, they are listed as endangered. As many of us can attest Cassowaries are not easy to spot, even when there are nearby, and getting information on population numbers in different areas is very difficult. A new project to fill in this gap has recently commenced and the researchers are looking for volunteers to assist them in their work, or to provide any additional local knowledge that could help their assessments. This project is being conducted in conjunction with BirdlifeAustralia’s “Birds with Altitude” program, that is monitoring a range of Endangered and Vulnerable species in the Wet Tropics.
If you would like to volunteer for these projects, or would like to learn more about the issues they are addressing, please come along to the Launch event at the Paluma Community Hall on August 25th. There will be a catered dinner (donations accepted to defray costs) at 6pm and presentations at 7pm and organising volunteer teams at 8pm. For catering purposes please register if you intend to come to the dinner and think you want to volunteer. Any residents just wanting to learn more are welcome come to the presentations. Surveys and training for both the Cassowary and Birds with Altitude citizen science programs will then be held over the 26th and 27th.
To register follow this LINK. Further information below:
Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Camp Out
Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville & BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.RSVP
Time and location
25 Aug, 1:00 pm AEST – 28 Aug, 10:00 am AEST
Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba Group Area, Lake Paluma, Crystal Creek QLD 4816, Australia
About the event
Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Birds With Altitude Camp Out
25 – 28 August 2023
Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville and BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.
The only targeted surveys for cassowaries on the Paluma Range were for the faecal DNA wet tropics populaton analysis (Westcott et al 2014). No scats, signs or sightings were recorded during that study however, the extrapolated population estimate for the area was 16 adult birds. The Paluma Range however contains 22,050 ha of potential habitat and birds are sighted here semi-frequently. So let’s track them down to add to our body of knowledge about the distribution, abundance, habitat condition and threats to Cassowaries here. Please download the Birdata App on your phone.
Camping @ Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba group camping area or self-arranged B&B accommodation at Paluma Village.
Friday evening welcome, presentation and dinner @ Paluma Community Centre, 65 Mount Spec Road, Paluma.
Friday, 25 August
1:00 pm campsite open @ Paluma Community Centre – Nywaigi Welcome to Country.
6:00 pm catered dinner.
7:00 pm presentations on Cassowary and Birds with Altitude programs. Organise survey teams and locations.
Saturday, 26 August
AM survey designated routes.
PM review camera trap data. Self-catered.
Sunday, 27 August
AM survey designated routes.
PM review findings & camera trap data. Sunday night camping optional. Self-catered.
Monday, 28 August
AM survey optional.
Checkout by 10:00 am.
Funded by a Qld Government CSA – Threatened Species Grant and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Supported by BirdLife Townsville, BirdLife Australia, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, NQ Dry Tropics NRM and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and thank you to the Paluma Community Centre for gifting in-kind support of the community centre for the Friday evening.Read moreRSVP
Push in the Bush Done and Dusted
The dust ( or rather mud) has well and truly settled for those who recently participated in the Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push on the weekend of July 15th and 16th. Muscles have recovered and the joy of crossing the finish line is a fond memory along with many formed around the warmth of the bonfire at the Hidden Valley Cricket Oval.
Paluma village was inundated with rubber, spokes and lycra but mostly smiles and laughter as people prepared for the start of their race. The beauty of the rainforest trails and bush land makes for a truly unique cross country mountain bike race which even had some of our local residents registered as participants including Rob, Sandi and Jamie. All of whom finished their designated distances hale and hearty!
The RFS and SES volunteers plus a few ‘local’ volunteers assisted with registration and monitoring various checkpoints along the routes and were able to enjoy viewing and encouraging the participants going hell for leather along the trails.
Seeing the youngsters set on doing their best in their very own race is possibly my fondest memory of Paluma Push 2023.
Paluma Push is such a great event for our village and a credit to Outer Limits Adventure for again bringing life to our sleepy little misty village on the mountain.
Text and photos (except where indicated) by Juanita Poletto
Game On!! Paluma Games Night August 5th
Our Annual Palum Games night, organised by Peter and Dorothy Klump will be held in just a few weeks, on Saturday, August 5th at the Community Hall.
The evening will start with a sausage sizzle dinner ($3.00) at 6:00 pm with the bar also open for the purchase of drinks. By 7:oo pm, the teams of two will have been announced and the various games will commence. These will include darts, indoor bowls, ping pong, and soccer pinball to name a few.
Previous years have proved a great success with lots of friendly participation mixed with bouts of enthusiastic competition. There are probably a few residents looking to topple the previous winners in some categories so the spirits will be high. Hope to see you there!
Christmas in July
18 revellers turned up to celebrate Christmas in July. From young to elderly, locals to visitors.
Including a surprise visit from Michael Offerman who many years ago owned one of the 5 acre blocks on Hussey Rd, but sold it after Yasi.
Lyn and Micheal enjoyed reminiscing early days on the 5 acre blocks.
The table decorations helped to keep the younger generation entertained!
They also enjoyed decorating their mothers as Christmas trees!
Vale Ross Eberle
Ross Wells Eberle passed away after a long illness on Friday, June 9th with his family by his side. He was a loving husband, Father, Father-in-Law and Pop as well as a great mate to those who knew him here on the mountain.
Ross and Denise purchased their property on Hussey Road about 20 years ago. They both became well known in the community and Ross was an active member of the Paluma Rural Fire Brigade. Ross worked at the Townsville General Hospital as an orderly and was very active in motor sports. He drove rally cars and enjoyed the thrill of trail bike riding.
A keen fisherman, he loved travelling and camping. He has left his loving wife, Denise, with many fond memories of their adventures together.
Ross’s life was celebrated at Woongarra Crematorium Chapel on June 19th. Our thoughts and hearts go out to Denise, Ross’s family and friends.
Len Cook and J. Poletto
Change of Day for History Displays
Please note that after this week, the History Display at the Community Hall will be on a Wednesday from 11am – 1PM. Due to power outages it was on Tuesday this week.
A call will be put out soon for volunteers to support the display at these times. July is currently covered.
Reminder, Christmas in July this Saturday (July 1)
Our annual Christmas in July Social is on Saturday 1st July at 6.30 pm at the Community Hall. Bring a Plate to share. The Bar will be open
Change of date – Working Bee
July’s working bee is now on the 8th July
June so far.
The last few weeks have seen Paluma without power for 8 hours on Thursday and 6 hours the following Wednesday. With pole works ongoing for at least another two Wednesdays.
The arrival of 58mm of rain in Paluma last week softened the verges enough so that the work trucks left deep tyre marks, which they quickly filled.
Ross was caught energetically watering the “fill” to settle it.
About 30 friends helped Les Hyland celebrate his 92nd birthday. What an achievement!
Les entertained us by recounting his journey to Australia, meeting Lyn, and becoming a Paluma resident.
There were many interesting dishes to share and more food than could be eaten, although we tried our best, remembering to leave room for the birthday cake.
This last weekend was a big one for Paluma.
A select group enjoyed the annual Wattle and Gum Bush Dance and BBQ. Don and Colin cooked sausages, onion and pineapple while Jill and Anneshka served them. Once again, the coleslaw and pineapple were a hit. The dancing was energetic and greatly enjoyed by those who joined in.
The June market was held the next day with live music outside in the Gazebo. Although a similarly quiet day, Don, Ross and Les on the BBQ stall had a good day.
Trialled on the community stall were two different savouries, six types of marmalade, dried Orange and Mandarin dipped in dark Chocolate and the usual array of wonderful cakes, slices and muffins. Although numbers were down, Charlie and Kristy sold all but two cakes and a few quiches. The marmalade sold well, with the Kumquat Marmalade selling out first, followed by the Orange and Whiskey Marmalade.