Posts

Paluma Bird of the Month, June 2024 – Emerald Dove

One of my favourite common birds along the village tracks and gardens is the Brown-capped Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps longirostris), often simply referred to as the Emerald Dove. It is most conspicuous when taking flight from the ground to stay ahead of walkers on a track or cars on the range road, when the flash of its leaf-green holders catches your attention. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for seeds fruit and insects. It is not too perturbed by humans and often prefers to simply walk away. I have one or two doves in my garden that regularly lead the way as I stroll up my drive-way.

Photo by Brian O’Leary

Emerald doves are usually monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. The male has a distinct white shoulder patch and a small grey patch on the crown that are mostly lacking in the females. They breed at the end of the wet season and build a simple stick nest 5m up in the trees.

When it feeds quietly on the ground it is often inconspicuous, only revealing itself when it takes flight with a flash of its emerald wings. (Photo by J. Oliver)

The Brown-capped Emerald Dove was originally considered to be the same species as the Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica), which is found in SE Asia (with a rare subspecies on Christmas Island). Some bird field guides still refer to our species as C. indica.

Text by Jamie Oliver

Winter Frolics in the Village

Wattle ‘n’ Gum hitting their stride in this country hall

The PDCA wishes to thank everybody for their efforts last weekend, helping out at the annual bush dance and the Markets.

Music and dance bringing joyous folk together

There were those generous with their time who were manning stalls, making cole slaw and slicing onions, cooking and serving sausages, cooking and baking for our cake and preserves stall, running the bar and stalls, setting up and cleaning, purchasing products and helping out in other ways to make it a great success.

Paluma’s very own “Jam Corner” 😉


Our treasurer Wilfred Karnoll has banked $1600 (with a few expenses to come out of that) but it still leaves a healthy profit for the PDCA and the community. GIVE YOURSELVES A BIG PAT ON THE BACK!!!

Text by: W. Karnoll (minor edits, J. Poletto)
Images: Jill Meads

Winter on the Mountain

This article (with minor edits) was published as “Paluma in the Clouds” in the Rollingstone Rag June edition.

The iridescent midnight blue of a mature male satin bowerbird.
Photo by J.Oliver

The Satin bowerbirds, a common resident in the village at this time of year, have been numerous and active.  The bower in our front garden has been freshened up by a male satin bower bird and is once again decorated in fresh blue pieces to attract the many local females.  There is much competition and amorous calling ensuring the bower birds of both sexes work up a large appetite.  The glorious shiny black males and stripy legged females come into our bird feeder keen and hungry.  I’ve counted ten on some mornings, jostling for space to snatch a tidbit.

A newly renovated bower with all the expected blue accoutrements. Photo by J. Poletto.

There have been two new welcome upgrades to our community.  Firstly, we’re grateful to the Townsville City Council for providing a doggie poo bag dispenser next to their bins near the community hall.  Locals and visitors alike will be most appreciative of the facility.  Also, there has been a recent upgrade to our telecommunications by Telstra and we now have 5G on the mountain. 

The doggy poo dispenser is conveniently located next to the council refuse bins near the hall.

Talking about wagging tails… WaG…aka The Wattle and Gum Bush Band will be providing a fun afternoon of bush dancing and music in the Paluma community hall on Saturday June 22nd from 12pm – 4pm.  The PDCA bar and BBQ will be open from 12pm with the bush dance starting at 1pm. A gold coin donation for entry to the dance is requested.  It will be great fun for friends and family and a brilliant way to warm up on a chilly day. Many locals have enjoyed this event and highly recommend it.

Wattle n Gum in full throttle last year at the hall. Photo by A. Brown.


Our upcoming June Market on Sunday 23rd of June is one of our most popular of the year.  As usual, the sausage sizzle will be running and stalls with baked goods and preserves (all homemade), crafts, art, fresh produce and many other items will be open to punters from 9am to 1pm.    There is also the possibility we may be treated to some folk music from members of the infamous Wattle and Gum bush band. Fingers crossed they won’t be worn out from the dance the day before. It promises to be a market with fabulous atmosphere and goodies, but you may need to don your beanie as it could be a little chilly.  Also, any locals available to help on the day, please contact Wilfred Karnoll. Your support for our community events is much appreciated and essential to its success.

Don in the ‘driver’s seat’ of the PDCA BBQ during a previous market. Photo by J. Poletto

From June, the Paluma History Display will be changing its opening times to the public from a Wednesday to every Saturday from 10am to 12pm at the Paluma Community Centre when there are no other events requiring the hall. Entry is free and tea/coffee will be available. 

Text by J. Poletto

Paluma Winter Sunday Market – a call-out to our village bakers

The Paluma Community Winter Sunday Market is fast approaching on Sunday June 23rd.  This is a call-out for Paluma’s Kitchen Rockstars to make, shake and bake home made goodies to sell for our community’s (PDCA) fund raising.

If you are interested in doing some baking and donating your goods for sale at the Winter Sunday Market then please read on…..

Here’s what to do:-

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. Please deliver your goods to the Community Hall on Sunday morning 23rd June at 8.30 AM (for a 9 am market start).
  6. 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. All contributions are very much appreciated.

TGIF! It’s Social drinks time!

Our monthly Social Drinks evening is THIS coming Friday, June 7th at the Community Hall. The Bar opens at 6pm. If you’re lucky, there may be a demonstration on how to use our latest facility provided by the council. What’s that you ask? Well come along and find out. 😜

Bring some nibbles to share if you’d like.

Call for Volunteers – Paluma Push

Outer Limits Adventure is looking for volunteers for this year’s Paluma Push on July 13th. This is one of Paluma’s signature events and each year the RFS and SES receive substantial donations from Outer Limits in recognition of the assistance provided by Pauma residents. If you are interested in manning a checkpoint or helping out at the start (Paluma) or finish (Hidden Valley) points of the race please register on the Paluma Push website. if you have any further questions contact Sam Stedman www.outerlimitsadventure.com.au

Update on Roadworks –

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would like to provide an update regarding the Mt Spec slope stabilisation night works.

The contractor’s availability has been delayed due to heavy rainfall in Kuranda.

As a result, night works on Mt Spec Road will now commence on Wednesday, 3 July, and will be extended until Friday, 4 October.

Night works including full temporary road closure will occur from:

Wednesday 3 July to Friday 4 October  

With a working roster of 10 days on 4 days off between 6pm – 6am

Friday night road closure will occur 7pm and reopen 6am Saturday.

Please find attached updated Notice of Works including a calendar with scheduled works specific to Mt Spec Road. Please note these may be subject to change due to weather conditions, contractor availability and construction progress.

Mount Spec Road in its entirety will be closed during the night works, with provision for Queensland Emergency Services and parents who will be required to retrieve sick students only.

The night works will take place based on 10 working days and 4 days-off (10:4) roster for the duration of the slope stabilisation project.  Each Friday night of the work schedule, the road will be closed at 7pm and reopen 6am Saturday morning.

If you require further information about these works, please contact the Northern District Customer and Stakeholder Management team using the below contact details. We thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards

Sarah Valinoti
Communications Officer
Department of Transport and Main Roads

P: 1800 625 648| M: 0744218996
engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au


View Updated Schedule