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91 Years Young

Our local legend Leslie Hyland celebrated his 91st birthday on 14 June. This weekend (18 June) some of Leslie’s friends joined him at the Rainforest Inn for morning tea and birthday cake. Lynn baked a very delicious chocolate and cherry cake which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The gathering was a chance for us to thank Les for his ongoing service to the Paluma community as a dedicated volunteer for anything and everything. Les made a heartfelt speech, reminding us of the value of community spirit and friendship. We think we are the lucky ones. How many communities can boast a 91 year old who is an active member of the SES, Rural Fire Brigade and regular volunteer for every community event. Not to mention his long-term service as our resident Barman for monthly socials and one of the long-term volunteers for the Paluma History Display. What a treasure is Leslie!

Reminder: Paluma After Dark this Saturday night – 6:30pm

The next scheduled Paluma After Dark evening walk will be this Saturday evening at 6:30pm. This time we will be exploring Don Battersby’s property and nearby forest for animals that he has seen around there over the last decade or more.

We will meet at 6:30pm at Don’s place just around the first bend of Hussey Road on the left. Bring a head torch and UV light if you have them – and warm clothes!

The UV lights have proven useful in highlighting some highly flourescent mosses, liverworts and other seedlings, but they are also known to pick up scorpions. I can testify that this is the case for at least one scorpion species that was spotted during my recent trip with Tony and Julie Bligh across the Simpson Desert. Paluma also has at least on species of scorpion so we might see one of these on the prowl this Saturday

Jamie Oliver

REMINDER: BUSH DANCE & MARKET WEEKEND ON 25 & 26 JUNE

A reminder to everyone about the big weekend coming up on Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 June.

The weekend kicks off (literally) with the annual Paluma Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum. There will be a Sausage Sizzle for lunch at 12 pm so come early for a delicious lunch. The music and dancing starts at 1 pm. Entry to the Bush Dance is via a gold coin donation.

The Paluma Community Market then takes place on Sunday morning from 9 am to 1 pm. The sausages will be sizzling again and there will be tea/coffee and sweet treats on offer. There will be an array of stalls to browse and for this market we are organising a bakers stall with all sorts of delights donated by Paluma’s finest cooks to buy and take home for afternoon tea.

Don’t miss this fun community weekend at beautiful Paluma in the clouds. See you there (with your dancing shoes).

Happy 91st Birthday Leslie

Paluma’s very own living legend and our tireless champion volunteer of anything and everything Sir Leslie Hyland will celebrate his 91st birthday on Tuesday 14 June.

Our sincere and heartfelt congratulations on this birthday milestone Leslie and from your many friends and your Paluma family we wish you many happy returns for the day and continued good health and happiness for the year ahead.

Everyone is invited to join Leslie at the Rainforest Inn this coming Saturday 18 June at 11 am to mark the occasion with some birthday cake.

Australian King Parrot

The Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is found from Cairns to Melbourne. This male was foraging by himself on the dried fruit of an Alphitonia tree (known locally as sarsaparilla tree) near the Paluma Community Hall. Birds from southern Australia are larger than the northern sub-species Alisterus scapularis (minor). Lloyd Neilsen (Birds of the Wet Tropics) says they are uncommon at Paluma and Mt Lewis, but Andree Griffin and Roy Mackay class it as a breeding resident in an area from Little Crystal Creek to Mt Spec and Taravale. 

Text & Photos by Peter Cooke

Little Shrike-Thrush

Two species of shrike-thrush are commonly seen at Paluma — the Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) and Bowers Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla boweri). They are not easy to disambiguate even with a clear picture and a few bird books, as colour and distinguishing features vary quite a lot by gender and age for both species. The name doesn’t help as the Bowers Shrike-Thrush is smaller than the Little Shrike-Thrush. 

This specimen posed for the camera on one of Jan Cooke’s tomato plants in April. Jan thinks this is probably a Little Shrike-Thrush.

Text & Photo by Peter Cooke

Rufous Songlark

The Paluma area bird list (compiled by Andree Griffin and Roy Mackay) lists the Rufous Songlark (Magalurus mathewsi) as an occasional visitor to Paluma, although its range covers most of Australia. This bird was one of a pair seen near the Community Hall in April. The Australian Bird Guide says the Rufous Songlark breeds in South Australia in spring and summer but migrates inland, or to north Australia in autumn and winter. The distinguishing ‘rufous rump’ is mostly hidden by wing feathers, but can be seen in photo 3 below.

Text & Photos by Peter Cooke

Red-Backed Button Quail

The Red-Backed Button Quail (Turnix maculosis) is a regular resident  in the Paluma Village but is secretive, and most commonly observed exploding from cover and flying rapidly away. 

This female was with a juvenile in tow across the road from the Community Hall in March, but scurried off down the back of Cooke’s place. She next appeared walking away by herself. It seems she planted the youngster under a bush and stayed in plain sight walking away to lead interest away from the bub. 

Text & Photo by Peter Cooke

Calling on Paluma’s Cooks…..

There is a proposal to run a Cake Stall at the next upcoming Paluma Community Market on Sunday 26 June (after the Bush Dance on 25 June).

We are calling on all of Paluma’s amazing cooks to contribute to the cake stall by donating a batch of your favourite baked goods – buns, muffins, slices or other delights that we can sort into small batches for sale at the stall.

The proceeds from the stall to go to the PDCA.

Lynn and Michele are coordinating this initiative so if you would like to volunteer and cook a batch of your favourite recipe for the stall please register your interest with us in the near future.

Michele at: mbird09@bigpond.com

Lynn at: lhyland@optusnet.com.au