Village news – Page 21 – Paluma – our village in the mist

Reminder: Upcoming Events at Paluma

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.

‘Tree Men’ at Paluma

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

Glitz & Glamour Galore…..!

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……!

REMINDER: Glamour & Glitz Social

Well folks, it almost time for one of the most anticipated social events of the year – the Paluma Glamour and Glitz Social. This auspicious social occasion will be held on Saturday 10th August at the Community Hall, commencing at 6.30 pm.

Now’s the time to check that wardrobe and plan your most glamorous and glitzy outfit for this not-to-be-missed social event!

There will be a prize on the night of a free beverage for the Best Dressed Male, the ‘King of Bling’ – and also the best dressed Female – the ‘Queen of the Village’. No doubt this will be a hotly contested competition.

Rumour has it that several local ladies have been planning their outfits for some time and are set to dazzle and sparkle on the night!!

It’s time to put the mower, the leaf-blower and the chainsaw in the shed, ditch those work clothes and scrub-up for a night of glitz, bling, razzle-dazzle and fun.

As usual, please bring a plate to share (savoury or sweet) and don’t forget that the bar will be open with our very own ‘Blingy Barman’ (Les Hyland) who will be dispensing low-cost drinks.

See you there Darlings…..!

2019 Paluma Push

The annual Paluma Push event was held last Sunday 21 July 2019. It was one of the best organised Paluma Push events in recent times. There was a ‘Check Point Operations Plan’ available in advance which was extremely informative, especially for new volunteers. It clarified set up times, duties and the number of persons needed at each Check Point. Equally useful, a digital map was provided and updated so that all organisers and volunteers were aware of the designated Check Points along the course.

This year there were four categories:- Competition 70 km. Intermediate 53 km. Recreational 42 km and the new E-bike class 53 km. Start times from Paluma were at 09.00 am, 09.05 am, 09.10 am & 09.20am, respectively.

The Paluma Dam Road was in very good condition after the recent remedial roadworks (following the February 2019 deluge) and the fastest competitor arrived at Check Point 1 in just under 28 minutes. One has to say that at many of the checkpoints some ‘assertive direction’ is necessary where the different competitor classes diverge to take different courses.

Radio communications were essential, provided mostly by handheld radios supplied by the Rural Fire Brigades, Mt Spec SES and Townsville SES. Members of all three services manned Check Points and some additional local volunteers manually recorded and counted the numbers of competitors as they passed through the Check Points. Waterfall Creek Rural Fire Brigade handled from Check Point 5A onwards, while Paluma volunteers manned the rest. Interestingly some of the Check Points which had excellent communication in previous years had some issues with static and positioning problems.

From the Check Point 1 rider count we believe there was a total of 445 competitors. The rider numbers in the first three categories were quite similar, whereas in past years the highest number of riders were from the Recreational group. There were 9 riders in the E-bike class – a recent addition to the Paluma Push competitors.

All volunteers regarded their participation in the Paluma Push as rewarding and a great day out on what was a perfect Paluma winter day. Many enjoyed the excellent barbeque provided in the Paluma Community Hall after the race.

Report by Les Hyland

Paluma’s Len Cook Wins Major Art Award

Paluma’s own artist and potter Len Cook has taken out the major award at the 41st Hinchinbrook Art Awards. Len was named as the overall winner (Open Award) for 2019 at a ceremony at the Tyto Gallery last Friday evening (19 July).

Congratulations to Len from all his friends and colleagues at Paluma for this major achievement and recognition of his exceptional work in clay. Len’s award winning exhibit was a tea bowl with a shino glaze.

Len Cook’s award winning Tea Bowl with shino glaze (pictured on the right).

Local artist, Ange Venardos also took out the Watercolour Award for her work entitled ‘Diversity’ (female form). This work features the four corners of the earth, depicted by plants including magnolia, lotus and dutchman’s pipe.

Locals and visitors to Paluma are reminded that Len Cook Ceramics is OPEN on a regular basis with the usual business hours of 10 am to 4 pm. The Gallery is located at 29 Lennox Crescent, Paluma (off Mount Spec Road).

Len Cook in his Gallery at Len Cook Ceramics, Paluma.

Paluma Shines…….

It was a big weekend at Paluma on 29th and 30th June. The annual Bush Dance with the Wattle n Gum Band was held at the Community Hall on Saturday night with many locals and visitors dancing the night away.

On Sunday morning the weather was superb with clear blue skies and a cool breeze. A bumper crowd attended the Paluma Market and there were plenty of stalls to browse. The wares on sale included handmade gemstone jewellery, leadlight glass ornaments, original paintings, knitted and crocheted clothes, shawls, scarves, beanies and blankets, a variety of bric-a-brac, DVD’s, books, cards, plants and delicious homemade cakes, biscuits and condiments. There were bargains galore!!

Members of the Wattle n Gum Bush Band put on an impromptu performance at the playground, while members and volunteers of the PDCA sizzled sausages at the rotunda. A great morning was had by all with many people lingering to relax and enjoy the music, the sausage sizzle and the cool mountain air.

Call for Volunteers – Paluma Push

The annual Paluma Push event is taking place on Sunday 21 July 2019.

The Paluma Rural Fire Brigade is calling for volunteers from the local Paluma community to assist with the event. Volunteers are required for manning the various Check Points, parking & traffic management and numerous other tasks. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Len Cook as soon as possible to register your interest on email:- anagama@activ8.net.au

Please note that as a volunteer you will need to be available on Sunday 21 July, but also attend a pre-race briefing meeting at the Community Hall on Saturday 20 July (late afternoon). After the race, volunteers will be treated to a BBQ at the Community Hall on Sunday night and receive a free Paluma Push t-shirt.

Please contact Len Cook ASAP and get involved!

Happy Birthday Les Hyland

Country Hospitality – Paluma Style

Denim jeans, western checked shirts and cowboy hats were the fashion at the Country & Western & Casserole Night on Saturday 8th June at the Community Hall. Whilst only a small crowd of some 17 people attended this latest event on the Paluma Social Calendar, they made up for the small contingent by having a rowdy good time.

A sumptuous feast of hot and hearty home-cooked dishes meant that everyone had their fill of soups, casseroles, warm fruity desserts and carbs. The bar saw a brisk and lively trade as the guests warmed up on beer, wine and spirits of their choice.

The impromptu “Guess the Country & Western Song Competition” was blitzed by Michele who proved beyond any doubt that she is the biggest country bumpkin in the village!

Major thanks go to Jamie and Juanita for providing the music on the night and to Les and Lynn for their usual exceptional skills in organising the event.