Category: Events

Where’s Wary? Volunteers needed to count Cassowaries around Paluma-Mt Spec

Although Cassowaries have been seen very occasionally by many of us on the roads and tracks near the village, the only one we can be guaranteed to see in Paluma is the barbed-wire sculpture of “Wary the Cassowary” in front of Wilfred Karnoll’s house. Cassowaries are an iconic and charismatic resident of the Wet Tropics, but due to multiple human-related threats, they are listed as endangered. As many of us can attest Cassowaries are not easy to spot, even when there are nearby, and getting information on population numbers in different areas is very difficult. A new project to fill in this gap has recently commenced and the researchers are looking for volunteers to assist them in their work, or to provide any additional local knowledge that could help their assessments. This project is being conducted in conjunction with BirdlifeAustralia’s “Birds with Altitude” program, that is monitoring a range of Endangered and Vulnerable species in the Wet Tropics.

If you would like to volunteer for these projects, or would like to learn more about the issues they are addressing, please come along to the Launch event at the Paluma Community Hall on August 25th. There will be a catered dinner (donations accepted to defray costs) at 6pm and presentations at 7pm and organising volunteer teams at 8pm. For catering purposes please register if you intend to come to the dinner and think you want to volunteer. Any residents just wanting to learn more are welcome come to the presentations. Surveys and training for both the Cassowary and Birds with Altitude citizen science programs will then be held over the 26th and 27th.

To register follow this LINK. Further information below:

Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Camp Out

Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Camp Out

Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville & BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.RSVP

Time and location

25 Aug, 1:00 pm AEST – 28 Aug, 10:00 am AEST

Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba Group Area, Lake Paluma, Crystal Creek QLD 4816, Australia

About the event

Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Birds With Altitude Camp Out

25 – 28 August 2023

Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville and BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.

The only targeted surveys for cassowaries on the Paluma Range were for the faecal DNA wet tropics populaton analysis (Westcott et al 2014). No scats, signs or sightings were recorded during that study however, the extrapolated population estimate for the area was 16 adult birds. The Paluma Range however contains 22,050 ha of potential habitat and birds are sighted here semi-frequently. So let’s track them down to add to our body of knowledge about the distribution, abundance, habitat condition and threats to Cassowaries here. Please download the Birdata App on your phone.

Camping @ Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba group camping area or self-arranged B&B accommodation at Paluma Village.

Friday evening welcome, presentation and dinner @ Paluma Community Centre, 65 Mount Spec Road, Paluma.

Friday, 25 August

1:00 pm campsite open @ Paluma Community Centre – Nywaigi Welcome to Country.

6:00 pm catered dinner.

7:00 pm presentations on Cassowary and Birds with Altitude programs. Organise survey teams and locations.

Saturday, 26 August

AM survey designated routes.

PM review camera trap data. Self-catered.

Sunday, 27 August

AM survey designated routes.

PM review findings & camera trap data. Sunday night camping optional. Self-catered.

Monday, 28 August

AM survey optional.

Checkout by 10:00 am.

Funded by a Qld Government CSA – Threatened Species Grant and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Supported by BirdLife Townsville, BirdLife Australia, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, NQ Dry Tropics NRM and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and thank you to the Paluma Community Centre for gifting in-kind support of the community centre for the Friday evening.Read moreRSVP

Push in the Bush Done and Dusted

Photo by Jamie Oliver

The dust ( or rather mud) has well and truly settled for those who recently participated in the Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push on the weekend of July 15th and 16th. Muscles have recovered and the joy of crossing the finish line is a fond memory along with many formed around the warmth of the bonfire at the Hidden Valley Cricket Oval.

Photo by Len Cook

Paluma village was inundated with rubber, spokes and lycra but mostly smiles and laughter as people prepared for the start of their race. The beauty of the rainforest trails and bush land makes for a truly unique cross country mountain bike race which even had some of our local residents registered as participants including Rob, Sandi and Jamie. All of whom finished their designated distances hale and hearty!

The RFS and SES volunteers plus a few ‘local’ volunteers assisted with registration and monitoring various checkpoints along the routes and were able to enjoy viewing and encouraging the participants going hell for leather along the trails.

Seeing the youngsters set on doing their best in their very own race is possibly my fondest memory of Paluma Push 2023.

Paluma Push is such a great event for our village and a credit to Outer Limits Adventure for again bringing life to our sleepy little misty village on the mountain.

Text and photos (except where indicated) by Juanita Poletto

Game On!! Paluma Games Night August 5th

Our Annual Palum Games night, organised by Peter and Dorothy Klump will be held in just a few weeks, on Saturday, August 5th at the Community Hall.

The evening will start with a sausage sizzle dinner ($3.00) at 6:00 pm with the bar also open for the purchase of drinks. By 7:oo pm, the teams of two will have been announced and the various games will commence. These will include darts, indoor bowls, ping pong, and soccer pinball to name a few.

Previous years have proved a great success with lots of friendly participation mixed with bouts of enthusiastic competition. There are probably a few residents looking to topple the previous winners in some categories so the spirits will be high. Hope to see you there!

June so far.

The last few weeks have seen Paluma without power for 8 hours on Thursday and 6 hours the following Wednesday. With pole works ongoing for at least another two Wednesdays.


The arrival of 58mm of rain in Paluma last week softened the verges enough so that the work trucks left deep tyre marks, which they quickly filled.
Ross was caught energetically watering the “fill” to settle it.

About 30 friends helped Les Hyland celebrate his 92nd birthday. What an achievement!
Les entertained us by recounting his journey to Australia, meeting Lyn, and becoming a Paluma resident.
There were many interesting dishes to share and more food than could be eaten, although we tried our best, remembering to leave room for the birthday cake.

This last weekend was a big one for Paluma.
A select group enjoyed the annual Wattle and Gum Bush Dance and BBQ. Don and Colin cooked sausages, onion and pineapple while Jill and Anneshka served them. Once again, the coleslaw and pineapple were a hit. The dancing was energetic and greatly enjoyed by those who joined in.

The June market was held the next day with live music outside in the Gazebo. Although a similarly quiet day, Don, Ross and Les on the BBQ stall had a good day.

Trialled on the community stall were two different savouries, six types of marmalade, dried Orange and Mandarin dipped in dark Chocolate and the usual array of wonderful cakes, slices and muffins. Although numbers were down, Charlie and Kristy sold all but two cakes and a few quiches. The marmalade sold well, with the Kumquat Marmalade selling out first, followed by the Orange and Whiskey Marmalade.

Reminder:  Bush Dance and Paluma Markets this weekend. (June 24-25)

The annual Wattle n Gum Bush Dance and BBQ will be held at the Paluma Community Hall  this Saturday June 24th.  This is one of our most popular events of the year and there is always an eager group of dancers and bush music enthusiasts to encourage the band.  The BBQ will start a 12noon with the band commencing at 1pm. The bar will open, of course.    More details here.

The Paluma Markets will commence the next day (Sunday) and will be open from 9am to 1pm

Reminder: Les Hyland’s Birthday Dinner this Saturday 17 June

A reminder that a get-together will be held at the Community Hall this coming Saturday 17 June commencing at 6.30 pm to mark the occasion of Les Hyland’s 92nd birthday (which actually falls on 14 June).

Please bring a plate of food to share. The Bar will be open for drinks.

Come along to celebrate with Les and perhaps enjoy a wee dram (or two). Slainte!

And the polar bear award goes to….

Our recent working bee, held on the first Saturday of each month, was capably organised by Wilfred Karnoll and focused on cleaning the community hall.  A willing troupe of helpers with a range of cleaning gear – some of it motorised but most of it powered by good old ‘elbow grease’ – gathered to polish our local hall up.  Whilst the resident Cairns birdwing larvae decided to pack up shop and find new digs elsewhere, Wilfred ensured we didn’t miss a corner, ceiling or railing and was all over, in and around the hall himself mending and replacing bits as needed.  The stoic group of locals continued in the rain and wind till their allocated section was completed.


The wind chill factor in the rain was quite bracing to say the least.  However the Polar Bear Award goes to young Colin who was soaking wet due to pressure spraying and scrubbing the ceilings!  You could hear his teeth chattering as he walked home in the wind and drizzle. Given the chilly weather, the cold drinks afterwards are on a rain check with Wilfred.  (Pun intended)

Text by Juanita Poletto; Photos by Leonie Crennan

Further Call-Out for Paluma Push Volunteers

The Paluma Push is 5 weeks away on the 15th July with preparations in full swing.  As you are all aware,  the very generous donations that we have received from this event over many years, has greatly supported the expansion of our fire-fighting equipment and capability.

I spoke with Sam Stedman today about manning the race checkpoints which is essential to the safe running of the event.  Currently, the following checkpoints require volunteers/more volunteers to fill them.

Checkpoint 2 – 4 people required, site in rainforest on other side of Paluma dam wall.

Checkpoint 4 – another 2 people required, site in drier country, up the hill on Hidden Valley Station. Sonya & Ross at checkpoint currently but are flexible on where stationed.

Checkpoint 4b – 2 people required with quads preferred. Site in drier country, up the hill on Hidden Valley Station.

Checkpoint 4c – 2 people required with quads preferred. Site in drier country, up the hill on Hidden Valley Station.

If you are planning on helping out or have friends who may be interested, please let me know or alternatively contact Sam 0421 484 211 or Aline 0401 572 071 or email: info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au.

It’s a great social day out and in spekky country.  A big thank you to those who have all ready volunteered for the event.

If you have any questions at all about the day, checkpoints or what to expect, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. See you around the next couple of weeks.

Kind regards 

Sonya Bryce

Secretary / Treasurer, Paluma Rural Fire Brigade, Mobile (0474) 324 153

Pictures of people on Paluma.org

During many of our community events such as community social evenings working bees and meetings. Members of the PDCA often take pictures during these events including individual participants. These pictures are then used to enhance a post on Paluma.org or other publications that report on this event.

While the editors of Paluma.org, and other PDCA executive members generally receive positive feedback regarding the use of pictures of participants in various events, we have been made aware that some individuals would prefer not to have their photographs published.

This matter was discussed at our last Annual General Meeting (AGM) and it was decided that while the practice of taking pictures by authorised people and subsequent posting on Paluma.org should continue, there should be a clear and simple procedure for those who are not comfortable having their picture published to opt-out.

The PDCA AGM agreed that we should never take or publish pictures of people who have indicated that they do not want this to occur. We (the organizers of events) will endeavour to remind people at each event that we are taking pictures for publication but we ask those who do not want this, to ensure that the photographer or one of the event organizers knows that you feel this way as soon as possible. If an event photographer starts taking your picture or has just taken your picture before you have had a chance to express your wishes, please politely let them know and they will ensure that no images of you are published.

I hope that the procedures above will provide appropriate assurances to those who do not wish to have their picture taken, while still allowing others to enjoy reviewing the description and images of recent events that they had fun at, or wished they hadn’t missed!

If you have any concerns regarding this issue please don’t hesitate to contact me or any other member of the PDCA by email or in person.

Jamie Oliver
PDCA President