Category: Community Noticeboard

A new rainfall gauge for Paluma

Paluma is one of the wettest places in north Queensland (see post from 2019) and most residents take an active interest in annual, if not monthly or daily rainfall records around the village. After many years of faithfully recording official daily rainfalls at the Ivy Cottage, Ian Marshall is no longer able to fulfil this volunteer role. Many thanks to Ian and Sandy for performing this important and valued service to Paluma.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) originally decided to close the official Ivy Cottage rainfall station after they received notice that observations were no longer able to be provided. However, after repeated representations from several Paluma residents, the BOM has agreed to relocate the rain gauge to the village green while keeping the old “station identification” so that a continuous record going back to 1969 is maintained.

Our new rain gauge on the Village Green

The Paluma Environmental Education Centre (PEEC) has agreed that Barry Smith will officially take on responsibility for recording daily rainfall from our new gauge during normal workdays. On weekends Colwyn Campbell has agreed to take the readings. Thanks to both of them for agreeing to take this on!

There will still occasionally be times (especially over the summer holidays) when neither Barry nor Colwyn will be available to take readings. We are therefore seeking additional “backup volunteers” who are willing to be called when needed. If you are interested in helping us keep a continuous official rainfall record for Paluma please contact Jamie. He will draw up a list of residents who can be called on when needed.

Paluma to host Freedom of Entry March for HMAS Paluma (IV)

On Saturday, August 7th, Paluma will host a “Freedom of Entry Parade” to celebrate the decommissioning of the HMAS Paluma (IV), a Navy hydrographic survey vessel that is (indirectly) the source from which our village got its name.

The original Paluma in ca 1890Paluma IV ca 2010

When the vessel was originally commissioned in 1989 it was granted “freedom of the city” of Thuringowa at Paluma. This included an official ceremony in which armed navy officers marched into Paluma, where challenged by Police and, on producing an official scroll that authorised their entry, were formally granted permission to continue marching through the village. Following other formalities and speeches, refreshments were served and there was a cricket match between the Navy and villagers that was handily won by the village!

Some three decades later the HMAS is now to be decommissioned and the Navy has suggested that one final march through city would be a fitting part of its final days in service. It promises to be quite a spectacle!

The ceremony and parade will be similar to the one in 1989 and all residents are invited to attend as spectators. The event will start at 11am. Food and refreshment will be provided afterwards at the Community Hall.

The original vessel that Paluma was named after was a gunboat built in 1884 in response to a perceived threat to the colony of Queensland from the Russians. Upon its arrival in 1885 its defence capabilities were considered redundant and it was converted into a hydrographic survey vessel. During its early surveys, it named the northern extension of Hervey Range as the Paluma Range. Our village was subsequently named after the mountain range it is embedded in. There have been four vessels bearing the name Paluma. The most recent is the HMAS Paluma (IV)

For a more detailed and highly readable account of the history of all the Paluma vessels, Linda Venn’s book on “Paluma, the first 80 years” has a section dedicated to this topic. You can read this section here.

Paluma RFS “Thankyou” BBQ for all Paluma Push volunteers.

The Paluma Rural Fire Brigade would like to thank all volunteers who helped during the Paluma Push by hosting a BBQ and drinks at the Community Hall on Saturday July 31, at 4pm.

This year’s Push was a great success due, in no small part, to the wonderful effort of the many volunteers who help to man checkpoints and attend to various logistical tasks leading up to the event. We hope you will be able to come along for a drink and a feed as a token of our appreciation.

Paluma Working Bee at Community Centre. July 31, 2-4pm

There is a huge pile of garden mulch at the Community Centre which we would like to move onto garden beds and other more useful areas. Also, a bit of weeding and planting in the garden bed wouldn’t go astray. So if you would like to help out, we are planning a working bee the Saturday after next, from 2pm to 4pm.

If you would like to help out in beautifying our Village Green and Community Hall surrounds please come along.

This will be followed by a BBQ hosted by the Paluma Rural Fire Brigade to thank all volunteers who helped out during the Paluma Push.

Paluma Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum next Saturday, June 26, 1-4pm

After some fears that the Bush Dance might have to be cancelled this year due to lack of accommodation, we have rescheduled the event to earlier in the afternoon (1-4pm) so that people can come up for the day and still get back to town before dark.

There will be a sausage sizzle before the band starts up (12pm) and the bar in the hall will be open so you will be able to enjoy a drink and a snack while listening to some great bush music or join in the dancing.

Admission will be a gold coin.

See you there!

Reminder: Les Hyland’s 90th Birthday Party

A reminder to all that on Saturday 12 June 2021 the village of Paluma will host a 90th Birthday Party for our very own living legend – Sir Leslie Hyland.

Please come along to celebrate this occasion with Les. You are all invited to share your favourite story, tale or anecdote about Les, or to tell an Irish joke or two.

When: Saturday 12 June 2021 at 6.30 pm.

Where: Paluma Community Hall

What to Bring: A dish to share – savoury or sweet, hot or cold.

The Bar will be open for drinks (although we are giving Les a rest on this occasion with a stand-in bar person for the night!).

We look forward to seeing everyone at this very important occasion.

In the spirt of this upcoming event here is an old Irish blessing:-

“There are good ships and there are wood ships,

The ships that sail the sea,

But the best ships are friendships,

And may they always be”.

Reminder: Games Night at the Hall Saturday 29 May

GAMES NIGHT at the Community Hall will be held this Saturday 29th May, commencing at 4 pm.

This will be an afternoon/evening of games, sport and most of all FUN to be hosted by none other than Peter (Captain) Klumpp. Come along to join in on a game of social table tennis, darts and pétanque, or all three. You can rotate through the activities and play them all if you wish!

Don’t know how to play? – Don’t worry, you can learn the games on the night. The emphasis is on FUN, LAUGHTER and COMMUNITY.

The Bar will be open for drinks and the PDCA will provide a $2.00 Sausage Sizzle with Lynda at the BBQ.

Come along and join in!

The Paluma Social Event of the Year is Coming…….

The Paluma Social Event of 2021 is fast approaching in June.

On Saturday 12 June 2021 the village of Paluma will host a 90th Birthday Party for our very own esteemed Elder, living legend and champion volunteer (of just about everything) – Sir Leslie Hyland.

Mark the date in your diary people, as this is an event not to be missed.

When: Saturday 12 June 2021 at 6.30 pm.

Where: Paluma Community Hall

What to Bring: A dish to share – savoury or sweet, hot or cold.

Please come along to join your friends, neighbours and fellow ‘Palumerians’ to pass on your regards to Les and to share your favourite story, tale or anecdote about Les, or to tell an Irish joke or two. Yes, all Irish jokes are permitted at this event!

Beverages can be purchased at the bar and tea/coffee will also be available.

We look forward to seeing everyone at this event and this is our chance to thank Les for his many years of dedicated service and volunteering in our village community. See you there – to be sure, to be sure.