Category: Events

PALUMA SHINES (Even When The Sun Doesn’t)

It was a very busy weekend at Paluma (26 & 27 June) with a hive of activity going on around the place. The rather cool winter weather and the thick veil of mist that failed to lift for several days did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for the range of activities on offer – from bush dancing, bike riding, bushwalking and shopping.

It all started on Saturday with the annual Paluma Bush Dance hosted by Wattle ‘n’ Gum. While the Dance this year was moved to the earlier time slot of 1 to 4 pm, a good crowd of more than 50 people gathered at the Community Hall to dance the afternoon away. Lynda and Don fed the hungry patrons with a pre-dance tasty sausage sizzle, which was a sell-out. From the hokey-pokey to the heel-to-toe, everyone had a great time dancing with their friends and family. We even had a visit from Sergeant Tony from Rollingstone who dropped in to say hello and sample the sausage sizzle. Barman Les was worked off his feet to keep everyone hydrated with their favourite beverages. The PDCA did a roaring trade with the sausage sizzle, bar takings and tea/coffee sales. Well done to all the Paluma community volunteers and a big thank you to Wattle ‘n’ Gum for the fantastic entertainment. Special mention goes to Jill, Suzanne and Anne who didn’t miss a single dance all afternoon!

After a good sleep on Saturday night, the action was on again first thing Sunday morning!

Sam and a very keen crew of bike riders left the village early and rode off into the mist to make a practice run for the upcoming Paluma Push. Other visitors to the village took off on bush walks and bird-finding expeditions.

At 9 am the Paluma Market opened with Lynda and Don firing up the BBQ yet again for another sausage sizzle. Stallholders at the market reported steady trade for the day. There was a range of goods on offer to buy from plants, books, cards, jewellery, spices and condiments, handmade arts and crafts, fruit and veggies and home-baked sweet treats. Tea/coffee sales went well, boosted by Jill’s delicious fruit and nut slice (many of us ate more than our fair share!). Jill’s fund-raising for the Children’s Cancer Institute was a success and raised important funds for the charity. The winner of the ‘pick the numbers’ competition on the day was Catherine (the Spice Lady from Ingham).

All in all a very busy and action-packed weekend was had in the not-so-sleepy little village of Paluma. I don’t know about everyone else, but I need to go back to work for a rest after the weekend!

Check out these photos of some of the action over the two days…………

Roy Bird really enjoyed the sausage sizzle at the Market.

So did Colwyn and Sonya!

Text by Michele Bird. Photos by Michele, Sonya and Gail.

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!

Leslie The Legend

On Saturday night (12/06/2021) Paluma hosted a 90th birthday party for our local living legend – Leslie Hyland. About 40 of Les’ friends and extended (Paluma) family joined him to mark the occasion with dinner and drinks. The Community Hall was transformed into shades of emerald green and orange to honour Les, his Irish heritage and his enormous and ongoing contribution to our village community. The whisky and wine flowed as freely as the lively conversation, before everyone enjoyed an amazing banquet of food to rival any restaurant. As always, Paluma’s cooks were outstanding in producing enough food for a small army. No-one went home hungry, that’s for sure!

Some outstanding presentations were made in honour of Les by Lynn, Peter, Jamie and Anne. Lynn compiled and presented a photo essay of Les’ life from birth to 90. Peter, Jamie and Anne were eloquent in expressing the great respect, appreciation and love we all have for Les Hyland and each gave renditions of the remarkable contribution he has made to the Paluma community over the past 35 years. There were a few Irish jokes, a lot of Irish whisky, good humour and camaraderie. Les received an array of birthday gifts including enough whisky to last him until the next birthday!

Special thanks to all those who contributed to making the occasion a special night for Les including Lynn, Peter, Jamie, Colwyn and Charlie. Lynda was exceptional as always at multi-skilling with her decorating and bar-tending.

Les’ birthday is actually on Monday (14 June) so we all wish him the very best on the day. And just to let you know Les, we are already planning your 100th birthday party!!

Text & Photos by Michele Bird

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”.

Let the Games Begin…..

Saturday night (29/05/21) was Games Night at Paluma. A good crowd gathered at the Community Hall from 4 pm to take part in a series of games and sporting activities. Four main teams were formed and they rotated through the various activities including pétanque, darts, table tennis and quoits. The competition was fierce amongst the rival teams – even if the skill level was sometimes questionable. What we lacked in skill, we made up for in enthusiasm!

The Games Night was hosted by Dorothy and Peter Klumpp who provided some excellent coaching tips. Peter did his best to control some rampant cheating amongst the team members. Lynda was in charge of the BBQ, cooking a gourmet sausage sizzle, complete with coleslaw, caramelised onion and sauerkraut. Barman Les was on hand to supply drinks to the thirsty competitors. The overall winning pair on the night were Colwyn and Danno, proving that age, wisdom, charm and cheating are a winning combination!!

A great deal of fun was had with laughter, cheering and banter echoing from the Community Hall. Special thanks to Peter, Dorothy, Lynda and Les for making the night a great success. And thanks to all those who participated, keeping the spirit of community alive and well in the little village of Paluma.

Let the pictures tell the story!

Text By Michele Bird. Photos by Michele Bird & Peter Klumpp.

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.

Petanque – Paluma-Style

A small, but very enthusiastic group of Pétanque players gathered on the Village Green on Saturday afternoon (15/05/2021). Well, perhaps it is a stretch to say we were all Petanque players, but by the end of the session we had all learnt a great deal about the game and had honed some new skills. Twelve players gave us enough for two teams and there were even a few spectators who came and went during the course of the afternoon.

Expert coaching was provided by Les and Lynn Hyland, who not only provided their pétanque sets for us to use, but also gave us a crash course on how to play the game. Scoring was undertaken by Lynn who kept a sharp eye on any would-be cheating during the play!

Players quickly developed a range of skills which were necessary given the sloping terrain on the Village Green and the deep grass cover. By the end of the afternoon, ‘Team B’ led by Captain Bruno were the valiant winners. Bruno invented a new technique in the game with the ‘Pentaque lob’.

All in all, a great deal of fun and laughs were had by both players and spectators. Drinks and snacks were enjoyed after the game and everyone agreed we should play again very soon.

Text & Photos by Michele Bird

Reminder: Petanque on the Village Green, Saturday 15th May

A reminder that the next Social Event at Paluma will be ‘Pétanque on the Village Green’ this Saturday 15th May, commencing at 4 pm.

Come along to show off your championship skills at Petanque, or come along to learn how to play the game.

Please bring a plate of finger food or nibbles to share on the deck of the Community Hall after the game. The Bar will be open for low cost drinks in support of the PDCA.

Please come along to share in some good sport and friendly, but feisty rivalry as the ‘Village People’ (those that live in the village) take on the ‘Republican Bush Whackers’ (from the western outer blocks). It is sure to be a riveting competition. See you there….!!