Last Thursday SpaceX, the company led by Elon Musk, launched 57 “Starlink” satellites into low earth orbit. For the first day or so they could be seen in the night sky as a string of bright lights racing across the night sky, prior to moving off under their own steam to take up separate orbits. Last Saturday night Wilfred Karnoll was lucky enough to see this spectactular show and was briefly convinced he might have been seeing UFOs.
A string of recently released Star-link satellites taken last year over the Netherlands
Perhaps others also caught a glimpse of this latest deployment by SpaceX? Let us know if you did.
While sixty-odd satellites sounds like a lot, this is mearly the lastest batch in a major program that will ultimately see a network of thousands of wirelessly interconnected satellites that will provide high bandwith internet to people around the word in even the remotest of locations.
Currently there are over 700 Starlink satellites overhead and beta testing of internet links has commenced in the US. Hovever SpaceX has permission to launch nearly 12,000 and has currently seeking further permission to have a total of 42,000 satellites in orbit. Currently there are only about 2000 satellites of all types circling the earth, so space is going to get pretty crowded in the future. Astronomers have complained that all these bright objects will hinder stargazing – SpaceX has responded by intalling “sunshades” over its latest satellites.
Australian regulator ACMA has given SpaceX initial approval for the Starlink internet service to operate in Australia, but there is much more testing, launching and approvals to do before we in Paluma can think about switching from the rather lack-lustre SkyMuster NBN satellite. In the mean time you can go to this website, or download an Apple or Android, app that will tell you when you can observe the light-show over Townsville/Paluma.
This year the Pre-push Welcome dinner will be at the Community Hall on Saturday, October 10th. If you are interested/planning to attend it is essential that you book tickets online prior to the event, or at a minimum let Sam or Aline know you want to reserve a spot. The dinner, a 2 course roast banquet style dinner will be cooked and served by Magnums, promises to be a great way to celebrate the start of this iconic event for Paluma. Be sure to book early as under COVID we are restricted in how many can attend!
The Department of Transport and Main Roads would like to advise that reconstruction works on Mt Spec Road between the Little Crystal Creek Bridge and McLellands Lookout will commence onMonday 14 September 2020.
Reconstruction works on Mt Spec Road are being undertaken to ensure motorist safety and the ongoing integrity of the road. We are targeting completion of works at damaged sites prior to the 2020–21 wet season.
Works will be completed at night to minimise traffic disruption and the impact on local businesses and residents. Night works will take place between 6pm to 6amthroughout the duration of the project, except Fridays where work will be completed 7pm to 7am. Works are expected to be completed by late December 2020, weather and construction conditions permitting.
A full road closure of Mt Spec Road will be in place from Little Crystal Creek to McLellands Lookout during project working hours of 6pm to 6am Saturday to Thursday, and 7pm to 7am Friday night/Saturday morning. Road users will not be permitted onto the road during these work hours. The gates to the road at Little Crystal Creek and at Paluma Village will be closed during these hours. In an emergency situation that requires Queensland Emergency Services to travel to Paluma Village, access will be provided by the contractor.
Please find attached a list of Frequently Asked Questions containing further information about these works. TMR thanks you for your patience and understanding while these works are being completed. Should you have any further queries or would like to discuss any aspect of these works, please do not hesitate to contact TMR on the details below.
Kind Regards
Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |
On Friday 21 August, TCC announced the winners of the 2020 Senior of the Year Award. Unfortunately Paluma’s own Leslie Hyland did not win the award this year, but he was included in a short list of nominees.
The deserving winners are: Dr. Ernie Hoolihan (male) and Mrs. Patricia Carr (female). We extend our sincere congratulations to the 2020 winners.
And of course, Leslie Hyland will always be considered as a winner in the village of Paluma!
Also known as Ironwood and Rusty Rhodomyrtus Family: Myrtaceae;
Rhodomyrtus pervagata first came to my attention some years ago when Linda Venn called me over to her garden to see a strange bird feasting on the fruits of a small tree. The rather large bird had been there all day and smaller birds, evidently afraid to approach, kept up a clamour of scolding and complaining about the large bird’s presence. The intruder was identified by the late Roy Mackay as a juvenile pallid cuckoo, a bird not commonly seen in Paluma. It continued eating, oblivious of the other birds, until every fruit was gone. The small tree, or shrub, was a Rhodomyrtus pervagata.
There are several species of Rhodomyrtus: twenty occurring in parts of S E Asia, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. In Australia, there are seven species, six of which are found in rainforests of tropical Queensland. Rhodomyrtus pervagata is endemic from Mount Misery near Cooktown to Paluma, growing at altitudes from 30 to 1250 metres in well-developed and mountain rainforest. It grows well in disturbed areas and is characteristic of rainforest regrowth.
A shrub, or small tree, it grows to about 10 metres high. New twigs are covered in fine, rusty hairs, giving them a furry appearance. The simple leaves are distinctive, being lanceolate and measuring 50 – 80 mm x 20 – 70 mm. The upper surface is dark green and sparsely glabrous, except for fine hairs along the mid-rib. The underside is pale and covered with fine rusty hairs and numerous oil dots which can be seen with a lens. The under-side has a prominent mid-rib and strongly defined lateral and intra-marginal veins.
The tiny flowers are axillary, growing in clusters of up to three. There are five cup-shaped petals about 5 mm in size surrounding a centre of yellow stamens. They are so small, they are easily missed, especially as the petals tend not to open up fully.
The tiny fruits are fleshy cream to brown berries, about 12 -14 mm long, and densely packed with up to 84 tiny seeds. The fruit, cut lengthwise, reveals the seeds stacked in rows of seven to fourteen. Many birds feed on the fruit of Rhodomyrtus.
There are many of these small trees in Paluma, tucked away in the understorey along the roadsides. Possibly, the easiest to locate are at the roadsides of the cutting between the Rainforest Inn driveway and Loop Road.
Text and Photos (unless otherwise marked) by Colwyn Campbell
The next Paluma Social will be held on Saturday 7 November 2020 at 6.30 PM at the Community Hall.
The theme for the Social is ‘Monsters & Mayhem on the Mountain’.
Come as you are, or come dressed in your most horrifying, monstrous, scary or bewitching costume. It’s time to unleash the inner devil lurking within!
On a serious note – with all the events of 2020 it has been a lean year for our PDCA in terms of fund-raising events and opportunities. We therefore encourage ALL residents to join us at the Community Hall. It’s a great chance to catch up with your friends and neighbours, buy a beverage and support our community organisation.
As always – Please bring a dish to share – savoury, sweet or anything you like. Barman Les will be on hand to serve low-cost beverages.
We look forward to seeing you there! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
[PS – This event will of course be subject to any changes in government directives and requirements associated with Covid 19].
You know that Spring is just around the corner when the Hippeastrum bulbs are starting to poke through the soil with their long flowering stalks. All round the village the numerous varieties of these flowering bulbs can be seen getting ready to flower. At No. 31 Lennox Crescent (right on the corner of Mt Spec Road) there is a cluster of Hippeastrum papilio already in full bloom. This variety of Hippeastrum is native to Brazil. It is sometimes called the butterfly amaryllis. It has white flowers with a touch of lime colour and striking burgundy markings. Unlike many other Hippeastrums, this species is said to be evergreen in its ideal climate. Clearly, it thrives at Paluma!
Did anyone else feel the significant earthquake at Paluma today?
At 1 pm today (Sunday 23 August) my entire house shook for some 6 seconds. The windows and doors rattled quite violently and the cups on the kitchen sink also rattled and moved from their original position. There was a very brief hiatus and then another shorter rumble. The dog woke from his sleeping place on the floor and with the second rumble took off in fright to run outside. I have felt earthquakes and tremors before, but today’s was a significant shake-up.
After a few minutes I did a Google search to find that a 4.9 magnitude earthquake had been recorded in North Queensland some 197 km from Townsville towards Charters Towers.
Did others feel the quake too? Any damage at your place?
Throughout the year, Paluma is blessed with colourful plants, photos of which are regularly posted on the website. Such is the focus on gorgeous blooms that the humble food gardens tend to be overlooked. They are due for some well-deserved attention, particularly as growing fruit and vegetables in Paluma is a real challenge.
The climate can be unkind at times but the wild-life presents the major obstacle to successful food gardening. Bush rats and White-tailed rats eat stone fruits, such as plums and peaches long before the fruit is ripe. Cockatoos savage citrus crops and at night, wallabies emerge from the forest and feast on any new green leaf within reach; citrus, gardenia, rose and hibiscus are favourites along with potted herbs. Bandicoots burrow deep beneath plants, birds steal the chillies but the worst predator within the village is the Brush Turkey. Two or three of these can, in only a few minutes, lay waste to an entire bed of vegetables: nothing is spared; pots are up-ended and their contents eaten and they rival rats in their plunder of pumpkin and choko vines. Out on the rural blocks, feral pigs make unwelcome forays, at times pushing through flimsy fences and devouring everything from bananas to sweet potatoes.
So, it is with awe and admiration that I see several Paluma residents refuse to be defeated and have productive gardens that would make a professional market gardener or orchardist envious. What are some of the secrets of their success? Location, (a position with enough sunlight throughout the day) and pest-proofing are vital.
On the rural blocks most gardens are securely fenced, some are also roofed with wire mesh.
In the village various strategies are employed. Some gardens are in raised beds with a bird-mesh structure above, which can be opened to give access for weeding and harvesting. Other kitchen gardens are in purpose-built boxes suspended from veranda rails – excellent for restricted spaces.
Jennie Robinson’s herb box garden contains basil, parsley, oregano And several other herbs.
Jan and Peter have given their ‘caged’ plants extra protection by planting insect repelling flowers nearby.
Barry and Chris at the Paluma Environmental Education Centre, have established hydroponic gardens with healthy crops of lettuce varieties, tomatoes, beans, radish and a range of herbs. The tubs containing the plants are set on a vertical framework, making them fairly inaccessible to turkeys. A conventional vegetable garden has also been established at the school with the plots protected by bird-mesh covered arches.
So far turkeys have not discovered the hydroponic plants but the other garden has not escaped attention; a net inadvertently left open gave a young male turkey his chance to explore.
So, with location and protection taken care of, the secret of success in producing strong, healthy food plants, apart from having green thumbs, and a passion for gardening, is ascribed to the fertiliser used. Fertilising with liquid and casts from a worm farm seems to be a winner. The popularity of worm farms is growing with several gardeners now raising these helpful little pets.
Lynda’s worm farm
While commercial products work well, traditional natural fertilisers such as goat and cow manure are highly regarded.
Hats off to all these determined gardeners. You are inspirational! This article will be followed up with regular updates of what fruit has ripened and what vegetables are being harvested.
