The PDCA ended the year on a high note on Saturday night (12/12/20) with the final social event of the year, the Paluma Tropical BBQ.
The Community Hall was lit up like a Christmas tree (literally!) and the tropical shirts were as loud as the lively chatter emanating from the hall. The residents of Paluma came armed with a feast of sumptuous dishes and Don fired up the BBQ with his usual finesse. Barman Les reported a lively trade and he made sure that everyone remained hydrated with their favourite beverages on the night.
Colin and Jill were the outright winners of the ‘Best Dressed’ tropical costume, arriving as if they had just stepped off the cruise boat (hopefully not the Ruby Princess!) adorned in sarong, board shirts, frangipani leis and tropical cocktails in hand.
Despite a challenging 2020, the community spirit is alive and well at Paluma as these few photographs clearly show. Merry Christmas Paluma-style!
– Publications considered to be classified (only non-restricted items may be placed kerbside)
– Tyres
– Other items that may present a safety risk
– General household waste
– Liquids including paints and oils
How much waste can I place out for collection?
Up to two cubic metres can be placed on your kerb for collection (approximately eight garbage bins in size). The maximum length of any item is two metres.
If you have any questions, call Customer Service on 13 48 10 or email enquiries@townsville.qld.gov.au. For more information, visit townsville.qld.gov.au.
The inaugural Monsters and Mayhem on the Mountain Social was held on Saturday night (7/11/20) and the event certainly lived up to its name. The Paluma Community Hall was transformed into a Hall of Horror as mummies, zombies, witches and other freaks and extremely creepy people came out of the woodwork to join the pandemonium.
Medusa made an appearance. So did the Grim Reaper, Herman Munster and a duo of Hannibal Lecters. A Pastor arrived, but was way too late to save the ‘souls of the damned’ at Paluma! A couple of Aliens joined the fray, so perhaps those UFO’s did land at Paluma after all?
The best/worst costume was won by ‘Kreepy Klumppy’ (Peter). The runner-up was Peter ‘The Mummy’ Cooke.
Jodie was the winner of the “Whose Sitting on a Big Black Spider Competition”. She was somewhat alarmed to find a large (plastic) arachnid fastened to the underside of her chair. Ironically, Jodie has a morbid fear of spiders (oops!). Her initial alarm and a few palpitations were consoled with her winning prize of a free drink from the bar.
The gathering of weirdos and whackos dined very well on a feast of dishes (none containing human flesh – that we know of!!). The bar did a lively trade with lots of thirsty patrons. Barman Les (Hannibal No. 1) reported good takings for the PDCA.
Sincere thanks to all those who attended the night in support of the PDCA and for embracing the theme of the night with gusto. Community spirit, good humour and good fun were the order of the evening. Special thanks to the band of volunteers who decorated the Hall of Horror on Saturday afternoon and then cleaned up on Sunday. What a great team!
Let the photographs of the night tell the rest of this (freaky) story……!!!!
The 19th edition of the Paluma Push was a great success. We had 420 mountain bike riders saddle up for the challenge to ride from Paluma Village to Hidden Valley across 3 distances: 42km, 53km and 70km.
This also included 30 E-bike riders for the 53km course. The E-bike category has doubled in size compared to last year. We are still in the early days when it comes to E-bikes, but it is a rapidly growing option for people to get out and about riding the trails.
This was the first year Outer Limits hosted the Paluma Push after taking the event over from the Rockwheelers. Townsville’s Mountain Bike Club and Outer Limits collaborated and came to an agreement which intends to keep the Push alive, continue the tradition of the event and have it professionally run and organised. We have goals to grow the event and make it, not the biggest, but the best (and most efficiently run) mountain bike race in NQ.
The Rockwheelers have received $4000 from the event, which will go toward the mountain biking community in Townsville and aid the trail maintenance on our local trails.
This year Outer Limits introduced the “Pre Push Dinner”, which was held at the Community Hall in Paluma (The event HQ and start of the race). We had 60 people attend and we hope to grow this dinner for 2021, which will be the 20th anniversary of the event.
All photos above by Juanita Poletto
We also added a perpetual trophy “The Hayden Tiley and Peter McLean Trophy”. This is to celebrate the history of the event as the years go by. This year the winners of the 70km competition course were Michael England in the Mens and Anita Narula in the Womens.
This year we learnt a lot about the event, and we have taken many notes for next year. Thank you to the team from Hidden Valley Cabins, Charlie Allen, Len Cook and Jamie Oliver for your assistance in the lead up and during the event and sharing your knowledge with us.
Thank you to Peter Mclean for all the guidance for the event and I hope we can continue the tradition you started 19 years ago.
Thank you to all the RFS and SES volunteers that helped make the event possible. The event has donated over $5000 for their services.
As part of a big thank you to all the volunteers, the Paluma Fire service put on a BBQ with funds from Outer limits for the checkpoint workers and other volunteers along the track and at headquarters. A great eveing was had by all!
Len Cook (RFS) and Jamie Oliver
Les and Lynn Hyland
A motley crew indeed – the community volunteers for the Paluma Push
Wendy, Judy, Graham and Mark
Photos by Michele Bird
Thank you to the Furber family to allow us to clear the trails and continue to ride the trails that lead through Hidden Valley Station.
Thank you to the event naming sponsors, Mike Carney Toyota, who has been sponsoring the event for many years. Outer Limits will continue the partnership to help bring professional events into our community. They also sponsored the new “Home of the Paluma Push”- sign, which is installed in Paluma Village.
Thank you to Ausfield Services who assisted us to clear the entire Push course. I am sure those who rode the course would agree that they did a mighty fine job.
Thank you also to Top Brand Cycles, GNM, Markwell Demolition for your support of the event.
2021 will see the 20th year of the Paluma Push. We have big plans to celebrate this special occasion, one of the ways might see the addition of a 100km course!
Sam Stedman and the team from Outer Limits are calling for Volunteers from the Paluma Community to assist with the organisation of this year’s Paluma Dam Good Trail Run. This event will take place on Sunday 1 November 2020.
If you can assist and you are keen to be a volunteer, please contact Sam on mobile: 0421 484 211 or send an email to info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au
Paluma’s own Jill Meads joined the hordes of mountain bike riders last Sunday (11/10/20) to undertake the annual Paluma Push from Paluma Village to Hidden Valley.
Jill was joined by good friends Ruth and Cheryl and they tackled the 42 km recreational track. It was Jill’s third time in participating in the Push, with her last race about six years ago.
Jill was happy to report that all three riders finished their race in good spirits and in good health. They plan to do it all again next year in 2021 when the Paluma Push will celebrate its 20th year. Jill would encourage everyone to get out there and give it a go. It’s a lot of fun and the surrounding country is something to see.
Well done Jill, Cheryl and Ruth. Paluma is proud of you!!!!
Jill and friends Ruth and Cheryl at Checkpoint 3 during the Paluma Push.Time to relax and enjoy a cold drink at the Volunteers BBQ after the Paluma Push.
This year the Pre-push Welcome dinner will be at the Community Hall on Saturday, October 10th. If you are interested/planning to attend it is essential that you book tickets online prior to the event, or at a minimum let Sam or Aline know you want to reserve a spot. The dinner, a 2 course roast banquet style dinner will be cooked and served by Magnums, promises to be a great way to celebrate the start of this iconic event for Paluma. Be sure to book early as under COVID we are restricted in how many can attend!
The next Paluma Social will be held on Saturday 7 November 2020 at 6.30 PM at the Community Hall.
The theme for the Social is ‘Monsters & Mayhem on the Mountain’.
Come as you are, or come dressed in your most horrifying, monstrous, scary or bewitching costume. It’s time to unleash the inner devil lurking within!
On a serious note – with all the events of 2020 it has been a lean year for our PDCA in terms of fund-raising events and opportunities. We therefore encourage ALL residents to join us at the Community Hall. It’s a great chance to catch up with your friends and neighbours, buy a beverage and support our community organisation.
As always – Please bring a dish to share – savoury, sweet or anything you like. Barman Les will be on hand to serve low-cost beverages.
We look forward to seeing you there! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
[PS – This event will of course be subject to any changes in government directives and requirements associated with Covid 19].
The fantastic Australia Festival of Chamber Music is usually held in Townsville in August, but was cancelled due to Covid19.
However, they have organised an online festival happening this weekend!! (Thank you Paul Baker for letting me know).
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is one concert which is live streamed from the Melbourne Concert Hall. Plus each day there are pre-recorded concerts and chats.
A single concert is only $20, the entire three days is $64 total.
Fantastic value and a great initiative.
You just go on to the festival website to book and the link below should take you there:
