Category: Local Issues

Paluma Social Events for 2021

Dear Members of the PDCA, Paluma Residents, Friends & Neighbours,

Please note that your PDCA has a newly formed sub-committee known as the ‘Social Committee’ (or perhaps more aptly termed the ‘Any Excuse for a Get-Together Sub-Committee’!!).

Your new Social Committee Members are:- Lynn Hyland, Les Hyland, Colwyn Campbell, Lynda Radbone and Michele Bird.

The inaugural meeting of this new sub-committee was held just recently and we have set about in planning an array of Social Events over the coming year. We hope there will be plenty of opportunities in 2021 for you to get out of the house, dust off your best outfit, catch up with friends and neighbours and also dress up and be a bit silly on the odd occasion, should you feel inclined…..!

We do encourage all Paluma residents and PDCA Members to contact us with your thoughts, ideas and feedback on upcoming and future Social Events. We are sure many of you have some great ideas for future Social Events and we would love to hear from you.

A working list of the planned Social Events for 2021 is outlined below and regular posts will be added to the website to remind you of upcoming events. Please join us to support your PDCA, to share some great food, good company, good humour and the odd beverage. All are very welcome.

The exciting events to come are:-

Saturday 20 February Chinese New Year Social (Evening)

Saturday 20 March St. Patricks Day Social (Evening)

Sunday 4 April PDCA Paluma Markets

Saturday 24 April PDCA Annual General Meeting with BBQ (Lunch)

Saturday 15 May Petanque (Bocce) and Nibbles on the Green (Afternoon)

Saturday 12 June Les Hyland’s 90th Birthday Party (Evening)

Saturday 26 June Bush Dance – Wattle n Gum

Sunday 27 June Paluma PDCA Markets

Saturday 17 July Paluma Push Bike Race (Outer Limits Event)

Saturday 7 August International Night Social (Evening)

Saturday 11 September Back to the 70’s Social (Evening)

Sunday 3 October PDCA Paluma Markets

Saturday 9 October ‘Paluma-Fest’ Social – BBQ, Beer and Bonfire Night

Sunday 24 October Community Hall 20th Anniversary (Morning Tea)

Sunday 31 October Paluma Trail Run (Outer Limits Event)

Saturday 6 November Return of the Monsters & Mayhem on the Mountain

Saturday 11 December Tropical BBQ Social (Evening)

Rainforest Inn is Closed until 30 January 2021

Paluma residents, visitors and holiday-makers please note that the Rainforest Inn at Paluma will be closed over the period 30 December 2020 to 30 January 2021.

This means that with the exception of the vending machine (for snacks) at the Paluma Education and Environmental Centre (PEEC) there are no places or facilities to buy food, drinks or other supplies whilst visiting the village. Please bring your supplies with you to avoid disappointment (and being hungry!).

Caution – Python Crossing!

With the weather warming up, this is a timely reminder that reptiles are on the move and may be encountered in and around the village of Paluma. Earlier today, Jennie Robinson spotted this large and well-fed python crossing Mt Spec Road near Nick and Glenda’s place. Note the large bulge in the mid-section of this snake from a recent meal. Jennie made sure the python was well off the road before any vehicles came along.

Please be alert for these amazing reptiles when driving through the village as they often like to bask on the warm bitumen along Mt Spec Road. No doubt this particular python was seeking a good place for a bit of R&R whilst digesting its dinner!

A Warm Welcome to Paluma

The village of Paluma has some new residents!

The PDCA would like to welcome to the Paluma community Bobby and Glen Parker who are the new residents at 1976 Mt Spec Road.  This property was formerly owned by the Brennan’s and it is one of the 5-acre blocks to the west of the village. Bobby and Glen’s property is situated next-door to Graham and Julie’s place. Graham – who is recovering from a broken pelvis (now locally known as ‘Evel Knievel’) – brought the new neighbours along to the usual ‘C and G’ session (‘Coffee and Gossip’) at the Rainforest Inn last Saturday (26/09/20). Here, they met some of us locals for the first time – hopefully that will not scare them away…….!!.

We extend a warm welcome to Bobby and Glen to our village community and particularly to the 5-acre blocks area. We’re sure that by now they will have realised they have purchased a piece of Paluma paradise.

Bobby (left) and Glen (right) meeting their neighbour Lynn Hyland (centre) at the Rainforest Inn.

Photo by Les Hyland. Text by Les Hyland and Michele Bird

Addendum: (Jamie)

While we have focused on Bobbi and Glen since we go to meet them at morning tea last week, we also extend a warm welcome to other recent additions to the Village: Ian and Julia Anderson (14 Mt Spec Rd); Peter Carlin and Karen Knight (3 Lennox Cr); and Dean Stephenson and Judy Foote (54 Mt Spec Rd).

Congratulations Leslie Hyland

Leslie Hyland was the guest of honour last Saturday at a morning tea held at the Rainforest Inn at Paluma. Leslie was presented with a Certificate from Townsville City Council in acknowledgement of his short listing for the Senior of the Year Award 2020.

Councillor Margie Ryder and the State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto attended the event to present Leslie with his Certificate. Margie Ryder provided an account of Les’ vast achievements and contributions to the village of Paluma over the past 30 years. Many of Les’ Paluma friends and neighbours joined Margie and Nick in paying recognition to Les. Margie Ryder provided a delicious cake, expertly decorated (by herself!) in honour of the occasion.

Congratulations Les, this recognition is well deserved and we look forward to your next 20 years of dedicated service to our community!!!

Nick Dametto and Margie Ryder presenting Les Hyland with his certificate.
Margie Ryder and Les Hyland.
Les Hyland doing the honours in cutting his celebration cake.
Look at that cake. Nice decorating Margie!
Lynn and Les Hyland – their contribution to Paluma is the very definition of community spirit, dedication and generosity.

Text & Photos by Michele Bird

TMR Range Road Update

Good afternoon everyone

Please be advised that the full road closure of Mt Spec Road will now commence on Tuesday 15 September 2020 from 6pm, not Monday 14 September as previously advised.

Mt Spec Road will be open for all road users on Monday 14 September 2020.

For those that have registered, TMR SMS alerts regarding the Mt Spec Road closure will commence from next Tuesday 15 September 2020 at 4pm.

Please do not hesitate to contact TMR’s Customer and Stakeholder Engagement team on the details below for further information.

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8725
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

TMR Range Road Update

ImageNotice to residents
Mt Spec Road reconstruction works

Would you like to receive updates via SMS about Mt Spec Road closures?The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will commence reconstruction works on Mt Spec Road, between Little Crystal Creek bridge and McLellands Lookout, from next week – Monday 14 September 2020.

To enable crews to safely and efficiently complete works at a number of locations, Mt Spec Road will be closed to all traffic each night from 6pm to 6am, Saturday to Thursday, and from 7pm to 6am on Fridays. Works are expected to continue until December 2020. 

TMR will send SMSs to subscribed stakeholders for the first few weeks of works to ensure residents are reminded of the road closures and can plan their travel accordingly. 

TMR will continue to send other communication, including project updates, by email. Click here to subscribe to updates via SMS/text messageIf you require further information, please contact the Northern District Customer and Stakeholder Management team by email at engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au or by phone on 1800 625 648.  

Update: TCC Senior of the Year Award

On Friday 21 August, TCC announced the winners of the 2020 Senior of the Year Award. Unfortunately Paluma’s own Leslie Hyland did not win the award this year, but he was included in a short list of nominees.

The deserving winners are: Dr. Ernie Hoolihan (male) and Mrs. Patricia Carr (female). We extend our sincere congratulations to the 2020 winners.

And of course, Leslie Hyland will always be considered as a winner in the village of Paluma!

Paluma Social – Monsters & Mayhem on the Mountain

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].