Last Saturday’s Community Working Bee (6 May) was attended by Colin, Anneshka, Julia, Ian, Don, Charlie and Wilfred. The main focus of the Working Bee was to continue the track upgrading and drainage work on the Rainforest Walking Track. This centrally located track allows walkers of all capabilities to experience our rare and special Wet Tropics Rain Forest. It is a 600 metre long track constructed with steps and viewing platforms. It even has a new park bench made from recycled plastics installed at the halfway mark along the track.
Jamie and Juanita continued cleaning up the corner of Mt Spec Road and Loop Road to make visible the previously overgrown signage directing visitors to McLelland Lookout and the various businesses and accommodation in the village.
The next Working Bee will be held on the 3rd of June and will focus on giving the Community Hall a much needed spring (or autumn) clean. Now that we are moving into the drier months we plan to attack the mould, dust and grime inside and outside the building. Come along and lend a hand, refreshments will be served after the event.
The monthly Working Bee at Paluma was held on Easter Saturday (8 April). A small group of volunteers turned up to undertake some much-needed tasks around the village. Colin and Richard carried out work along the Rainforest Walking Track in installing a new bench seat. Charlie, Anneshka, Wilfred and Michele took on the unenviable task of continuing the clean-up along the road verge at the Loop Road.
The clean-up involved trimming back the overgrown vegetation on the road side and in the table drain including dead wood, overhanging low branches, encroaching sword grass and a variety of introduced weeds including dense patches of Singapore daisy. We also tackled the last of the lantana along the (raised wall) road verge at the top of Loop Road. It was hard but satisfying work in tidying up this area, removing some noxious invasive weeds and (hopefully) improving the stormwater flow to the culvert at the bottom of Loop Road. We were rewarded with a cool drink at the end of the session…..and some of us took home some leeches and ticks for our efforts.
The next Working Bee will be held on Saturday 6th May so save the date and take up the challenge!
Text by Michele Bird. Photos by Charlie and Michele.
A timely reminder that there will be a Working Bee this coming Saturday 4th March to continue with repair and upgrading works on the Rainforest Walking Track (opposite the Community Hall).
Please meet at the Community Hall at 2 pm and bring your wheel barrow and shovel. Wilfred says there is a couple of hours of work to do and there will be refreshments afterwards!
The monthly Working Bee is now a regular event on the first Saturday of every month. So please mark your calendars as there are always plenty of jobs to carry out around the village. Many hands make light work…!
Yesterday’s working bee to refurbish the steps at the far end of the “Rainforest Walk” attracted a great turnout. There was a total of 10 people, 3 wheelbarrows, a generator and a cement mixer all working solidly for a couple of hours to fill in the new step frames and drainage channels that Wilfred and Colin had previously set up. The final result looked very impressive. Even the existing wooden bridges and platforms along the track got a major cleanup. We finished the effort back at the Community Centre congratulating ourselves with some well-earned drinks.
It was agreed that we should aim for a regular working bee on the first Saturday of every month to carry out various maintenance and improvement projects around the city. Look out for announcements on Paluma.org
Wilfred is again calling for keen volunteers to join him at a Working Bee this coming Saturday 7th January at the Rainforest Walking Track at Paluma Village.
Please meet at the Paluma Community Hall at 2 pm (opposite the Rainforest Walking Track). Please bring your wheelbarrow, shovel, spade, pick, rake, other garden tools and plenty of elbow grease and enthusiasm.
Further repair and refurbishment works is required along the Rainforest Walking Track including the installation of some more steps, drainage works, erosion control and filling-in the washouts.
Wilfred said he might even find some refreshments for the volunteers after the event! If you can spare an hour or two next Saturday afternoon please come along. For any inquiries, please contact Wilfred.
‘Colwyn’s Track’ was sign-posted and opened over the Easter long weekend on Sunday 17 April 2022. This upgraded walking track commences at the western end of Paluma Village taking walkers through to the end of Hussey Road and then on to Ethel Creek Falls. Wilfred and his merry band of track volunteers including Colin, Jamie and others have spent many long hours clearing fallen trees and debris from the once disused track, so that it is now safe and accessible for walkers to enjoy.
The Track was named in honour of Colwyn Campbell, one of Paluma’s long-time residents, an avid track walker, nature lover and artist. The story goes that Colwyn walked the track some time ago, before the final upgrading work was completed. She commented to Wilfred that the track was ‘a bit rough’ and needed some further work. That further work took place, much to Colwyn’s satisfaction and final approval.
The installation of the new sign for ‘Colwyn’s Track’ took place on Saturday 16 April. Wilfred and Colin undertook the hard work under the expert supervision and direction of Jill and Michele. The opening of the Track then took place on Sunday afternoon at 4 pm. Despite the incessant rain all day on Sunday, a sizeable crowd gathered with umbrellas and raincoats at the newly erected sign. Colwyn unveiled the very attractive new signage and cut the ribbon (pink surveyors tape) to ‘officially’ open the new track. The Klumpps kindly hosted celebratory drinks and snacks on their veranda (out of the rain) after the track opening.
Colwyn has asked me to pass on the following message to the Paluma Community:-
“I feel overwhelmed by the generosity and support my wonderful Paluma ‘family’ has given me over the years. And now, I feel especially honoured to have a walking track named for me. I admire the work Wilfred and the team have done and are doing, in opening and maintaining the old timber and tin trails; allowing people a glimpse of this fascinating environment and its history and am thrilled to be associated, vicariously with their hard work. THANK YOU EVERYONE“.
Special thanks to Wilfred for this initiative and the naming of ‘Colwyn’s Track’ in acknowledgement of one of Paluma’s most beloved residents and nature lovers.
Below are photographs of the Saturday (16 April) installation of the new track signage by Wilfred and Colin and the Sunday (17 April) opening ceremony with the community. (My apologies for the somewhat blurry images from Sunday, but it is a bit challenging to take good photographs in the pouring rain).
Last Sunday morning (6 March 2022) saw 22 people congregate outside the old Cavilcade Guesthouse, the occasion being a bush walk organised by the Townsville Bush Walking Club under the leadership of Wilfred Karnoll to Platypus Pool and Forgotten Falls. Even at 8 am the temperature was already rising, so after doing the administrative tasks some ten vehicles headed out to Chick’s Road which was the planned end point of the bush walk. Five cars were left at Chick’s Road and the other five transported the walkers to the start point at Clapham Junction, about 4 km along the Paluma Dam Road.
We headed off and about 200 metres in along the track we admired the ‘Grandfather Tree’, a giant Eucalypt some 2 metres in diameter at the base. Unfortunately Cyclone Yasi took off most of its crown, as it was well above the canopy of the surrounding rainforest trees. What is left standing of this majestic tree is still very impressive and it must be of considerable age.
We continued along the old logging road, first through rainforest then into more open sclerophyl forest with casuarinas, turpentines, stringy barks and rose gums the dominant tree species. From the logging road we turned onto a narrow bush track that took us down to Williams Creek and the Platypus Pool, so-named after the little critters that supposedly live in it. Unfortunately we didn’t see any platypus on the day, but perhaps 22 pairs of boots and lots of lively conversation gave them ample warning to go into hiding. It was time for a well earned refreshing swim and an early lunch to recharge weary bodies.
We then continued on to Forgotten Falls, one of the tributaries of Williams Creek. Unfortunately our wet season (what wet season you might ask?) hasn’t replenished the water flow over the big rock face and there was only a trickle at this time. In a good wet season there is a spectacular waterfall at this location. The temperature of the water in the pool at the base of the falls was too warm for even the keenest of dippers, as no refreshment was to be gained from it. The big exposed rock shelf above the falls heats up what little water comes down to make it rather uninviting just now.
After taking some photos, onwards and upwards. A few keen walkers scrambled straight up the rock face, whilst the majority chose the safer track beside the falls. From there it was up a steady rise to the top of the plateau and along an undulating logging track, past an old sawmill site, still covered by lots of saw dust and discarded timber off-cuts. The cars were a welcome sight after hot and trying bush walking conditions.
A special mention and a big pat on the back to local Paluma resident Bruno, who in his mid-eighties never missed a beat all day and left some of the younger walkers well behind. Like they say – age is just a number! It was great to see some of the local Paluma residents joining in the walk to enjoy some of the unique treasures near our little village.
Article by Wilfred Karnoll and Photos provided by Jill Meads
Wilfred Karnoll and the Townsville Bushwalking Club would like to invite any interested Paluma residents to join a Bush Walk to Platypus Hole and Forgotten Falls on Sunday 6th March 2022. The details of this event and information has been provided by Wilfred below:-
When: Sunday 6th March, commencing at 8 am.
Where: Meet at 8 am at 24 Mount Spec Road, Paluma (Wilfred’s place).
What to Bring: Day pack with water bottle, food and snacks, sun screen, swimmers, a pair of sandshoes or crocs to wade across the creek (if you don’t want to get your hiking shoes wet) and camera/phone to take some memorable photos.
Cost: $5.00 per person to cover insurance with ‘Bush Walking Queensland’ as a temporary member for the day.
Booking: Please book with Wilfred, the team leader for the walk on Mobile 0447 822 626.
The walk starts at Clapham Junction on the Paluma Dam Road. From there we follow an old logging road on a ridge line between Williams and Echo Creek before turning off to drop down into Williams Creek to visit Platypus Hole. If we’re quiet we might see one of these elusive critters that give the big pool its name. We cross the creek and then proceed to the base of Forgotten Falls, which should be flowing nicely after the recent rains. Time for a swim and something to eat. We then climb to the top of the Falls, the brave ones can try a spot of rock scrambling, or you can follow the bush track beside the Falls. From there it’s an easy walk up to Chick’s Road and some waiting cars to return to the village. Whilst the walk is over some rough terrain, it is not too strenuous and not a full day walk, so anybody of a reasonable fitness level will be able to do it. It’s a great opportunity for Paluma residents to explore one of the little treasures in the area. We should be back in Paluma by mid afternoon, depending on walking speed.
Last Saturday’s (8 January 2022) Working Bee at the Rainforest Walking Track has been hailed as a great success. Wilfred reports that nine volunteers attended on the day to carry out essential track upgrading works. The large mound of dirt near the Community Hall quickly disappeared as it was shovelled, barrowed and spread along various sections of the walking track needing repair and stabilisation. The new steps look great and Wilfred says they make the walk down the sloping terrain much easier and safer, especially for kids and short-legged people, as the steps are now of a more even height (we short people are glad to hear it!).
Wilfred says he was ‘blown away’ by the great response to the call-out for volunteers and he heartily thanks all those who attended and provided their free labour for a few hours. Another two working bees are planned to tackle the next stage of the walking track repair work. After that, the whole of the track should be in tip-top condition for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Les’s bar was raided for a well deserved drink after the Working Bee, courtesy of Wilfred’s shout.
Keep your eye out for notice of the next Working Bee, probably in about four weeks time. Everyone is welcome and the reward is all about COMMUNITY.
Text by Michele Bird & Wilfred Karnoll. Photos provided by Wilfred.
This is a reminder that there will be a Working Bee at the Rainforest Walking Track to be held this coming Saturday 8th January at 2 pm.
All volunteers, please meet at the Community Hall at 2 pm and please bring along your wheelbarrow, shovels, lots of energy and enthusiasm.
What better way to work off those extra Christmas calories than a bit of sweat and toil in the rainforest. Many hands make light work, so please come along for an hour or two to lend a hand in maintaining this precious patch of Paluma paradise.
