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NATIVE BEES AT PALUMA

I am not a beekeeper as such, but I do like to think I am ‘keeping’ plants for the bees. Now that I am a keen gardener (Paluma does that to you!) I read lots of books and magazines on how to improve my gardening skills. ‘Keep the good bugs’ has been the consensus of many authors. In his book, The Bee Friendly Garden, Doug Purdie says “Bees are our most important pollinators and they are in decline the world over…….conventional gardens that favour lawns and pesticides over flowers and edible plants are scaring the good bugs away”.

With that in mind, I often wander around my garden to see who is visiting. I sometimes take my camera to see if I can catch the action.

The Teddy Bear Bee is one of my favourite native bees. This bee can grow up to 15 mm long and makes its nest at the end of a burrow up to 10 cm long in creek beds or garden rubble. This one was enjoying itself on my Melastoma affine (blue-tongue shrub) and the flowering salvias in my back garden.

Teddy Bear Bee during pollination
Teddy Bear Bee in full flight

Another regular garden visitor is the Great Carpenter Bee. At first I thought this was a bumble bee, but apparently Australia has no native bumble bees. This is the largest Australian bee growing from 15 to 24 mm. They cut nest burrows in soft timber such as the dead limbs of mango trees. I wonder where my visitors are living…..?

Coming in for a landing….the Great Carpenter Bee ready to pollinate.
The Great Carpenter Bee pollinating the flowers of Melastoma affine.
Pollination is hard work……
Off to the next bloom…check out that wing action!

I have also seen the Blue-Banded Bee in my garden, about the size of a honey bee, and evidenced the possible presence of one of the 150 described species of Leafcutter Bees.

I am not an expert on bees – just an interested spectator, but if you have any questions I might know the answer, or know where to look.

Happy gardening and remember ‘Plant for the Pollinators.’  

Text & Photos by Jennie Robinson

A Farewell to Roy Mackay

On Saturday 16th March, an Afternoon Tea was held at the Rainforest Inn to honour the memory of the late Roy Mackay, one of Paluma’s most loved, admired and respected residents, who passed away on the 12th February.

A year ago, the community helped Roy celebrate his 90th birthday at the Inn. Roy was born on the 18th March. It had been hoped that he would be here for his 91st birthday, but sadly, he did not make it.

The Inn was crowded, with more than 55 guests, not only residents but also others whom his life had touched – birdwatchers, students, taxidermists, fellow nature lovers – all came to reflect on his life and share memories. Again and again, his enthusiasm for life, his kindness and his generosity were mentioned. Many who were unable to attend the afternoon tea sent messages recalling their association with Roy.

Beth Snewin gave a Power Point presentation she had compiled, showing photos and commentaries on Roy’s remarkable life.  A guest book was also passed around in which people shared anecdotes and reminiscences.  This book will be kept in the Paluma History display as a tribute to this remarkable man’s contribution to the people of Paluma – our very own national treasure.

Always a very sociable man – we are sure Roy would have enjoyed this tea party immensely.

Paluma Goes (Irish) Green

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at Paluma


Paluma traditionally celebrates ‘La Feile Padraig’ [The feast of Patrick] on the Saturday nearest to the actual day, 17th March. This year we were one day ahead on Saturday 16th.  Due to the afternoon tea in celebration of the late Roy Mackay the starting time was delayed to 19.00hrs, but in the event it was near 19.30 hrs before we were eating.  There was a great selection of dishes with an Irish flavour including, potato bake, chicken casserole, devilled eggs and many others.  Desserts included a wonderful green creamy delight, Guinness brownies, bread and butter pudding and pavlova.

With over 30 people attending, it is needless to say the bar did a brisk and lively trade but, surprisingly, there was some Guinness left over.  There was a lucky shamrock under a chair and it is amazing how difficult it proved in finding just which chair!

Many attendees wore their best green gear and several leprechauns appeared out of the Paluma mist, so that the community hall was a sea of Irish green.

Lynn took on the role of Quiz Master for the evening – she said that Les’ questions were too hard – challenging geographic, musical and Irish general topics. There were several participants who scored 13 out of 17 which is an extremely good show of knowledge. The tie-breaker question saw the winner –  Wendy Kaus – collect her bottle of wine.  Les threw in a few Irish jokes and the buzz of conversation lasted late into the evening.

The highly efficient washing up crew’s work was greatly appreciated. It was a most enjoyable night.

Assistant Editors Note: Many thanks to Les and Lynn Hyland for their hard work in decorating the hall, stocking the bar and making the event a great success!

Text by Les Hyland and Photos by Michele Bird

PDCA – Notice of Annual General Meeting

Members (and prospective members) are advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Paluma & District Community Association Inc. will be held on:

Saturday April 20th, 2019 at 5pm in the Community Hall

Nominations are open for all Executive Committee positions. Nominations should be forwarded to the Secretary to arrive no later than Wednesday 10th April 2019. Please use the nomination forms, which can be downloaded here.

Positions are:

  • President, 
  • 1 or 2 Vice-Presidents
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • General Committee members (numbers flexible)  

Members are reminded that Annual Subscriptions are now due and should be paid prior to the commencement of the AGM.   Membership is available in two classes, these being  Ordinary & Family. All classes attract the same subscription fee of $40.00 Please use the subscription form here to submit your dues. New members are more than welcome and should use the same form.

Please note that you must be a PDCA member to nominate someone to the Committee or vote for any Committee member.

The AGM will be followed immediately by a normal General Meeting with with the new Committee.

AGM AGENDA

  1. Opening – circulation of attendance sheet
  2. Apologies
  3. Minutes of previous AGM March 31, 2018
  4. President’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s report
  6. Election of Officers for 2019-2020
  7. Election of Auditor for 2019-2020
  8. Close of Annual General Meeting

Normal General Meeting Agenda

Normal General Meeting Agenda

  1. Open General Meeting
  2. Proposed Events/Fund-raising for the coming year
  3. Any other business
  4. Close of General Meeting

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17th, but in Paluma we will celebrate it on Saturday the 16th March. 

In view of the afternoon tea in honour of Roy Mackay that same day, we will start at 7 PM this year instead of 6.30 PM, allowing time for participants to both events to prepare a dish to share in the usual fashion. Yes, potatoes are allowed!   

The bar will be open and there will be a limited stock of Uncle Arthur’s beverage – the founder of Guinness Brewery was Arthur Guinness.  If you have any Irish jokes to share do bring them along and there will be a quiz about Ireland [No Googling Allowed!!!!!!]. So, sharpen your brains about things Irish. And wear something green ! 

Any inquiries to Les Hyland     lhyland1@skymesh.com.au

Vale Tom Conner 1931-2019

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Tom Conner. For almost 80 years of his life Tom was connected with Paluma.

In 1938 Tom moved to Taravale Road with his mother, father and grandfather. Tom said that their shelter was ‘up-market’ for the area as it had hessian walls. Tom’s father and grandfather were timber cutters. At the start of World War 2 the government conscripted his father (Tom Senior) and his grandfather into the Civil Construction Corp. His father was put in charge of the timber camp at Taravale Road.

Tom spent most of the war years at the Taravale camp. A simple monument at about 0.7 km down the road (off the Mount Spec-Ewan Road) marks the camp site. (Although Taravale Road is a private road it is possible for people to drive down the road – with caution – to visit the monument).

After the war, Tom lived in various houses in Paluma and became a timber cutter and a timber truck driver, delivering loads to the old Moongobulla rail siding (now gone). After his marriage to Freda, Tom moved to Townsville and worked for the electricity industry, selecting power poles to harvest in the Mount Spec area for many years. In retirement, Tom and Freda owned a house in the Paluma village. Freda is the granddaughter of the Cavill family, pioneers of the Paluma area.

Tom’s favourite sport was tennis. He hit many a ball on the war time court opposite Ivy Cottage. Tom will be remembered as a gentleman and for his knowledge and incredible memories of the Paluma area.

Our sincere condolences go to Tom’s family and friends.

Post courtesy of Bill Pyne

Roy Mackay Paluma Reflects

ROY MACKAY – Paluma Reflects

Afternoon Tea at the Rainforest Inn, Paluma

Saturday, 16 March at 3.30 pm

It has been the practice over recent years to celebrate the significant birthdays of Paluma residents with an afternoon tea at the Rainforest Inn. In March last year (2018), we celebrated the 90thbirthday of Roy Mackay.  It was a very happy occasion and the Inn was packed with well-wishers.

As you know, Roy had been recently living in Regis Aged Care in Townsville.  Several of us had planned to bring Roy to Paluma for the weekend nearest to his 91st birthday, provided he was well enough to travel.  He had looked forward to this, but sadly, did not make it. Roy passed away on 12thFebruary, 2019. Roy’s birthdate was 18 March.

In response to many requests from Roy’s friends, we have decided to hold an afternoon tea in his honour so that his friends can gather to celebrate the remarkable life of a remarkable man. This will be held at the Rainforest Inn on Saturday 16 March at 3.30 pm. We look forward to seeing many of Roy’s friends and to sharing reminiscences of his exploits and life adventures and the memories of the many ways he touched our lives.

We would request that attendees bring a plate of finger food to share – savoury or sweet.

Drinks can be purchased at the Rainforest Inn.

For any enquiries please contact one of the following:

Jennie:       0418 867 925

Beth:          0404 759 718

Michele:    0417 767 099

Colwyn:    4770 8559   colwynmc@activ8.net.au

Message from Margie Ryder & Community BBQ

Hi All,

Not sure if you have heard yet but TCC are putting on a BBQ this Saturday, just a bit of a get together post Flood. Our city has been through one of the biggest natural disasters and we need to continue the community spirit.

I know a lot of you have personally been affected, which I am so sorry. Really keen to make sure everyone shares this invite and as many people as possible know about it, so please help share the news.

This Saturday 2nd March from 3 PM to 6 PM at the Bluewater Community hall.

Regards- Margie #whateverittakes