We are deeply saddened to report the recent passing of Stafford Browne, long-time resident of Hussey Road, Paluma. Stafford, best known to his Paluma friends and family as ‘Staff’ passed away on 11 December 2019. He will be fondly remembered this week at a private ‘Celebration of Life’ in Townsville. Our loving thoughts and sincere condolences are extended to Merle and the family in their great loss.
The annual Paluma Garden Competition was held in late November this year and the results were announced at the last social of the year (Tropical BBQ on 7th December). Lynn Hyland reports that the event was most successful and she has provided the following feedback:-
“We had four Bunnings staff as the judging panel this year. On Tuesday 26th November the judges walked their little feet off for nearly five hours. I escorted them around the Acreage Gardens and Jamie Oliver did likewise around the Village Gardens. We provided lunch at the Community Hall“.
“Even though the gardens and lawns were very dry at this time, the judges were most impressed with the gardens of Paluma. They stated that they will be back next year and will stay longer on the job without being so rushed. They took a lot of photos of the gardens and interesting plants. I even got introduced to some new plant names. It was great to have a horticulturist to refer to for information about species. There really are a lot of ‘hidden treasures’ in our Paluma gardens. The ladies really enjoyed the experience and would like to see the gardens of Paluma at an earlier time of the year when the camellias and azaleas are in bloom – maybe after Easter next year“.
“I also had the Memorial Trophy refitted with new ornaments as it was looking a little sad about the gilt work. It now looks smashing. The trophy is now in the custody of the winners”.
The overall winner this year and the trophy holder for the 2019 Paluma Garden Competition goes to Glenda and Nick Van Rynswoud. These are truly award winning gardeners having won the competition a total of four times.
Hearty congratulations to all the winners and for contributing to the ongoing success of this Paluma event. Sincere thanks to Bunnings for their ongoing support for our competition, the judging panel from Bunnings and to Lynn and Jamie for volunteering their time to escort the judges around the village and acreage blocks.
The Winners of the 2019 Paluma Garden Competition are:-
Best Residential Garden in the Village: Glenda and Nick Van Rynswoud Memorial Trophy winner. $50
Highly Commended Residential Garden in the Village: Graham and Judith Malpass. $30
Best Commercial Property Garden in the Village: ‘Manali’ Bill and Linda Venn. $50
Best Acreage Garden on the Blocks: Anne Bruyeres. $50
Best Novelty/Unusual Garden: Rainforest Novelty Trail and Garden, Don Battersby. $20
Text by Lynn Hyland and Michele Bird. Photos by Michele Bird and Jamie Oliver.
On Saturday we had very good attendance at our Tropical BBQ including a couple from Townsville who happened to be up for the weekend. There was a variety of salad, and deserts and plenty of meat to go round. Les the barman made sure there was plenty of social lubricant available to add to the enjoyment of the evening. Photographic evidence of the event is unfortunately scarce. Yours truly was too busy catching up with people and providing his usual inept services as a relief barman and totally forgot to take pictures. We did manage to get a shot of the last of the crowd at the end of the evening.
This year, for the first time, the exterior of the hall and the gazebo were decorated with Christmas lights that definitely provided a festive look to the area that could be seen from the Mt Spec Rd as well as Smith Crescent. Many thanks to the Townsville City Council’s “Christmas Together ” initiative which provided funds for the purchase of the external lights as well as eskies to ensure we could keep our meat and drinks cool.
The History Project will close for the holiday season and the wet season after the session on Tuesday 26th November 2019. It will re-open in 2020 on St Patrick’s Day, Tuesday 17th March at the usual time of 11.00 to 13.00 hrs.
The Paluma community thanks the dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who make the History Project an ongoing success year after year. Thank you to all those who have assisted in running the Project in 2019, especially Les Hyland, Lynn Hyland and Colwyn Campbell.
The annual Paluma Garden Competition is just around the corner with the judging to take place between Monday 25th November and Wednesday 27th November. The judging will be done by Bunnings staff, with Bunnings also kindly donating some vouchers for the winners.
The judges will be accompanied by a member of the PDCA or a local Paluma resident during the judging. If you do not want your garden included in the competition and/or you do not wish the judging team to enter your property, please send an email to Lynn Hyland at:- lhyland@optusnet.com.au
The winners of the Garden Competition will be announced at the last social for 2019 at the Tropical BBQ on Saturday 7th December at the Community Hall.
The Garden Competition is hotly contested every year, so now is the time to get out in the fresh air and spruce up your patch of paradise ready for the judging. Despite the recent hot and dry weather, a short stroll around the village on Sunday morning (10/11/19) revealed many beautiful blooms amongst the village gardens (and some stiff competition from the neighbours!).
Gardeners, start your mowers and get your secateurs ready………! Here’s a few photographs of current blooms to give you some inspiration.
A small but very enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Community Hall on Saturday evening (2 November 2019) for the latest event on the Paluma social calendar with an International theme.
Continents and countries the world over were represented as many of the attendees donned their finest (and not so-finest) international costumes to celebrate multiculturalism, Paluma-style. There were Mexicans, an Egyptian, two Fijians (fresh off the cruise boat), North Americans and European nations all represented. There were a few Aussies, a Scotsman and even a Drop Bear (of uncertain nationality and with a strange rear appendage) made an appearance on the night.
A wide selection of dishes from around the world meant that there was plenty of good food to enjoy. Some patrons told their best and very worst jokes on the night. The group was pleasantly surprised by the return that very afternoon of the Cooke’s (Peter & Jan) who have just made their annual migration south (from NT) for the summer. Great company of friends and neighbours ensured a good time and many laughs were had by all.
It was a very busy weekend in Paluma for the crew from Outer Limits Adventure Fitness. They had over 50 people for the open day at the high ropes course on Saturday, before turning it all into ‘Dinner Under The Stars’ (actually in the clouds with fairy lights) on Saturday night for over 100 guests. The dinner was catered by the Feel Good Foodie truck. It was a great social evening with locals and runners enjoying the evening.
On Sunday all the attention turned to the Trail Run as 350 runners lined up to tackle the challenging trails around Paluma. The 20 km run took the participants across Cloudy Creek, Ethel Creek, then back via the road and down to Blue Gum Creek and then back to the village via Witt’s lookout.
The 10 km event went straight down the Blue Gum trail and back via Witt’s Lookout. The 6 km course included all the village trails – Rainforest Loop, H-Track, Witt’s Lookout and the Andree Griffin Track. The weather turned it on for the runners with clear blue skies and a perfect Paluma day. It was a magic day on the trails!
Article & Photo provided by Sam Stedman
Some very exciting events are scheduled at Paluma in the coming weeks during October and early November. Mark up your calendars with the following social events:-
Saturday 26 October – Paluma Dinner Under the Stars at the High Ropes Course. Come along for one of the newest and most enjoyable social events of the year and enjoy some good food and good company under the starry Paluma night sky. Starts at 6 PM. For more information see the Event listing on this website.
Sunday 27 October – Paluma Dam Good Trail Run. For more information see the flyer on this website or contact: info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au
Saturday 2 November 6.30 PM – This year the PDCA will host a new Social Event with an International Night at the Community Hall. The night will include Music From Around the World. Come along dressed in your favourite International costume or theme. Celebrate the nations of the world and multiculturalism Paluma-style. Bring along an internationally-inspired dish to share.
Good morning
Had a call from Don at the Tree Men yesterday afternoon (Friday). He’s coming up to Paluma next week to scope out a job request.
If anyone has a problem tree, please call him on 0419 029 234.
We’re not getting anything cut, but Don has given us good service in the past.
Cheers
Linda
16 Mt Spec Road, Paluma QLD 4816
Phone +61 7 4770 8690
Email paluma@bigpond.com
The stars weren’t the only thing shining at Paluma last Saturday night, with the inaugural Glamour & Glitz Social at the Community Hall. The night was filled with glitter, sequins and precious jewels, all on display. Some stunning outfits were worn by the ladies, the frocks to rival any H(B)ollywood red carpet event. The razzle dazzle and glitz was so great that some patrons had to wear their sunglasses all night! Even the menu had sparkle with a dazzling chocolate and silver masterpiece (cake) made by Jennie, in (belated) celebration of Lynn’s birthday.
While only a small crowd attended this event, it was quite possibly the most successful social this year for fun and frivolity. There was much laughter and camaraderie and anyone passing the Hall on Saturday night might have thought that 100 people were in attendance. The music was sensational with a soundtrack of classic dance tunes. Some patrons took a whirl around the dance floor before tucking into the menu of savouries, casseroles and other delights.
If you didn’t attend the Glamour and Glitz Social then you missed the opportunity for a night of fun and frivolity – but most importantly, you missed the chance to meet and mingle with your Paluma friends and neighbours and to support your own community association. Social events are fun, but they are also vital to raising much needed funds for the PDCA, so that all those very important matters like road repair and maintenance and the preservation of all those things we most love about Paluma can remain on the working agenda.
See you at the next Social planned for 2 November. The weekend is short, but friendship and strength of community goes on and on……!
