Around ten Paluma residents showed up last Saturday armed with shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and enthusiasm to shift the large pile of mulch provdied by the Townsville City Council (facilitated by our local Councilor Margie Ryder). Despite the daunting size of the mulch pile it was all shifted onto the garden beds around the Community Hall, and under the “Trees in Memory” grove in just over an hour. Unfortunately we were all to focussed on our work to take any picures.
It is amazing how much work has been accomplished this year during our working bees and how positive the response for volunteers has been. This initiative, and its results are something we should all be proud of. Many thanks to Wilfred, who has been the driving force behind the working bees.
With no other activities planned, we convened on the village green with beers in hand and discussed an idea establish and disc golf. Ian and Julia Anderson brought out some discs and a possible short course was sketched out that they hope to take to Council in the near future.
The PDCA would like to thank everybody for their combined efforts to make Paluma’s final market day of the year and the NRL grand final viewing in the hall such a great success this past Sunday.
The PDCA Bake and Preserves table. Photo by Anneshka Brown
Locals and tourists alike were a strong and steady flow starting quite early in the day. The bbq didn’t shut down till quite a bit after 12pm and did great business with many coming back for seconds (and thirds) for “‘the lot’ please, that bbq-ed pineapple is amazing!”
The hall was filled with chatter and laughs with some shoppers making beelines to the baked goods stalls and others slowly meandering and enjoying the sport of browsing and selecting what they desired. Our community was on show and did itself proud at these markets. So many smiles.
The NRL grand final evening was also an opportunity to quietly socialise prior to the game for some of the locals as well as an opportunity for all – locals and visitors – to watch the footy showdown on the ‘big screen’.
Our PDCA treasurer, Wilfred Karnoll, is likely still grinning as this post ‘goes to air’ as the markets and grand final viewing made a net total of $1366 for our community. This success comes with effort from all the volunteers who:
Paluma and district produce and preserves… YUM!
worked hard to ensure the hall was ready for vendors and shoppers alike;
Made the effort to set up their own stall to raise funds for the rural fire service
ensured all ran smoothly throughout the duration of the market;
prepared many a preserve, cake, slice, cookie and sweet and savoury treat for the PDCA bake stall
Collected fresh produce and plants from local growers for the PDCA fresh produce stall
A great big “Thank You” to our volunteers. Your service makes our community stronger. As Wilfred said, “…just goes to show what a small community like ours can do when we all pull together.”
Text and photos by J. Poletto unless noted otherwise
Last Saturday, Sept 2nd, three keen workers joined Wilfred and did a lot of hard work cutting back the vegetation at Star Valley lookout to ensure it wasn’t getting too overgrown. Visitors (and locals) can now enjoy the view over the ranges. When was the last time you stopped for a look out over Star Valley?
Our community working bees are usually held on the first Saturday of the month.
Removal of the vegetation overgrowth by the working bee team has got to be seen to be appreciated! Many thanks to the September working bee team.
A reminder that a get-together will be held at the Community Hall this coming Saturday 17 June commencing at 6.30 pm to mark the occasion of Les Hyland’s 92nd birthday (which actually falls on 14 June).
Please bring a plate of food to share. The Bar will be open for drinks.
Come along to celebrate with Les and perhaps enjoy a wee dram (or two). Slainte!
1. A proposal for refurbishment of signs in and around the village including the village entrance, is being put together.
2. Security – After the community meeting which followed the PDCA meeting, actions are being taken to officially register our community with Neighbourhood Watch through our local police station. Our local security issues will be raised at a meeting in August with our local council representative, Margie Ryder. We encourage everyone to register on our Paluma WhatsApp group set up solely for security purposes.
3. Events Calendar: This is regularly updated on the website. Please keep a lookout for any changes and community notices. A new occasional social event will begin soon. It is an end of week “Friday Chill” gathering where the bar at the hall will be open from 5 – 7pm to kick back, catch up and generally chill out with your mountain mates. Do keep an eye on community posts on the website for the inaugural evening. We have to note here our social event organisers are simply excellent at generating community spirit and we thank them for their extra time and effort for our benefit.
4. A Community Meeting is being organised with Margie Ryder with an August date to be confirmed: Issues to be raised and discussed include: signage; animal control and hygiene; community security; vegetation control and road maintenance. All will be welcome to attend.
5. The Hall Bar management has officially been handed over to the capable Lynda Radbone from our iconic Irishman, Les Hyland. Les’s many years of reliable service and cheerful management of the Hall bar was noted and we appreciate his generosity of spirit and time in ensuring the takings were profitable. Thank you Les and we look forward to seeing you enjoying your 92nd birthday celebrations coming up SOON!!!
6. The Paluma History Display – Lyn and Les Hyland are stepping away from involvement in the History display. Lyn’s contributions and efforts to ensure an effective, interesting and valuable documentation of Paluma’s heritage is very much appreciated. Her input and efforts will be very much missed. Anneshka Brown will be calling for volunteers to help support our history display which will be changing from a Tuesday to a Wednesday.
If any of the above raises questions or you would like to know more information, please don’t hesitate to contact any of your PDCA committee members.
Did you know, five years ago on June 23rd, Paluma’s water treatment plant was opened by Margie Ryder and the community was invited to tour the facility?
It was your PDCA which played a key role in getting the Townsville City Council to install the facility. This became a necessity after a series of momentary shutdowns, monthly testing for giardia and finally many months of water not being fit for drinking.
Our recent working bee, held on the first Saturday of each month, was capably organised by Wilfred Karnoll and focused on cleaning the community hall. A willing troupe of helpers with a range of cleaning gear – some of it motorised but most of it powered by good old ‘elbow grease’ – gathered to polish our local hall up. Whilst the resident Cairns birdwing larvae decided to pack up shop and find new digs elsewhere, Wilfred ensured we didn’t miss a corner, ceiling or railing and was all over, in and around the hall himself mending and replacing bits as needed. The stoic group of locals continued in the rain and wind till their allocated section was completed.
The wind chill factor in the rain was quite bracing to say the least. However the Polar Bear Award goes to young Colin who was soaking wet due to pressure spraying and scrubbing the ceilings! You could hear his teeth chattering as he walked home in the wind and drizzle. Given the chilly weather, the cold drinks afterwards are on a rain check with Wilfred. (Pun intended)
The month of June and winter is just around the corner and this is timely reminder of the upcoming events in the Paluma Community this June.
A reminder that this Saturday 3rd June the monthly Working Bee will be held in the village. If you can spare a couple of hours to participate, please meet at the Community Hall at 2 pm. This month the focus of the work will be at the Hall itself which is in need of a ‘spit and polish’ and some ‘elbow grease’. Wilfred will shout a refreshment after the work is done on Saturday afternoon.
In June everyone’s favourite Leprechaun Leslie Hyland will celebrate his 92nd birthday. To make the occasion there will be a get-together at the Community Hall on Saturday evening 17th June at 6.30 pm. The Bar will be open for drinks and please bring along a plate of food to share. Everyone is welcome to come along and wish Leslie a very happy birthday.
On 24th June the annual Paluma Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum will be held at the Community Hall. This is a fun afternoon of music and dancing, kicking off (literally) at 1 pm, after a BBQ sausage sizzle for lunch at 12 pm. The Bar will be open for beverages. A gold coin donation at the door is requested please. What better way to warm up in the cool winter weather than a bit of hokey-pokey at the Community Hall!
The Paluma Community Market will be held on Sunday 25th June from 9 am to 1 pm, the morning after the Bush Dance. Come along to enjoy the sausage sizzle and browse and buy from the various stalls selling plants, arts and crafts, jewellery and other wares.
Mark these dates in your diary and we will see you for some dusting, dancing, drinking and boot scootin’ at Paluma in June.
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.
Following the recent attempted break in at the Rainforest Inn there has been a reported case of squatters taking over one of the residences along Mt Spec Road. They apparently found the key to the property that was hidden in a “safe” place. The unauthorised “visitors” helped themselves to some of the alcohol, left a mess and caused some water damage when they left a tap running.
This is just another reminder that our village is not immune from these kinds of criminal acts of wilful damage and vandalism. All property owners should reconsider and upgrade their security precautions and keep a watchful eye out for suspicious activity in our community.
A reminder of some important contact numbers:-
Police Link (non-life threatening issues) – 131 444
