On Sunday 24th October 2021 the village of Paluma celebrated the 20th Anniversary of our Community Hall. A morning tea was held to mark this important occasion and was attended by some 50 people, including past and present residents. We were delighted to see the return of many past, long-time residents of Paluma whose families established and built the Community Hall. It was a great opportunity to acknowledge and thank these people and their extended families for their hard work in making the village what it is today.
The gathering was joined by Councillor Margie Ryder, Nick Dametto (Member for Hinchinbrook), Helaine Gordon (Area Director, Townsville Rural Fire Service) and Lewis O’Rourke (SES, Deputy Local Controller). Our many dedicated local and resident service volunteers from the Rural Fire Brigade and SES were also in attendance, since the Community Hall is the headquarters for both the Paluma RFB and the SES. Lynn Hyland provided a comprehensive history of the Hall and how it came to be in its present form.
All of the speakers on the day spoke warmly about Paluma and what our little village means to them. The common theme was COMMUNITY. Our sense of community at Paluma is no better represented than in the walls of our Community Hall. Yesterday was a glowing example that the community spirit is alive and well in Paluma. We work together to get things done and when it matters, we are there for one another. With enough community spirit you can even build a Hall!
The morning tea provided enough food to feed an army and the Hall was filled with lively chatter of days gone by and good things to come. Special thanks to the many volunteers who organised the event – you know who you are.
Here’s to the next 20 years of celebrating community in our village hub.
Text & Photos by Michele Bird
