It’s been a while between Community Socials, but on Saturday 20th August Paluma will go back to the 50’s for a night of fun, laughs and dancing at the Community Hall.
Back to the 50’s Night kicks off at 6.30 PM . As always, please bring a plate or dish to share. The Bar will be open and the rock n roll tunes will be playing on the jukebox. You don’t have to dress up, but if you feel inspired by the 50’s then wear your best get-up.
Come along and enjoy a fun night out with your Paluma friends & neighbours.
It was a big weekend at Paluma on 25 and 26 June with the annual Bush Dance on Saturday afternoon and the Community Market on Sunday morning.
The Bush Dance started with a Sausage Sizzle run by the PDCA with Don at the BBQ. During the course of the afternoon we invented a new form of the Sausage Sizzle – the Paluma Special. Complete with Lynda’s delicious coleslaw and Wilfred’s tropical pineapple (cooked on the BBQ), we sold a lot of sausages. Everyone enjoyed the tropical twist on the average snag with some great feedback coming from the hungry patrons.
When everyone was fed, the Wattle n Gum Bush Band warmed up and the dancing was under way. The hall was packed and the dance floor was full all afternoon. The bar did a roaring trade and everyone had a lot of fun. It was a great afternoon of singing, dancing, smiling, laughter and good old-fashioned community spirit.
On Sunday morning we were all back again for the Paluma Market. Don and Jill sizzled some more sausages under the rotunda and the many stalls in the Community Hall reported a brisk trade. Colin was kept busy making cuppa’s and some of the band members from Wattle n Gum returned to the deck to play some tunes. Wilfred’s fresh fruit stall sold loads of pineapples and bananas.
We held our first Paluma Bakers Stall at Sunday’s market and it was a resounding success. And yes, we are going to brag about it!. The original idea was for a small group of us to donate some cakes and other baked goods to sell as fund raising for the PDCA. The Paluma gals went above and beyond with most of the cooks baking two or three lots of goods to sell. We had three full tables of goods on sale and we are pleased to report that we sold the lot!. The funds raised for the PDCA was a clear profit of $312.00. Special thanks to all the ladies for their donations, input and dedication to making the stall such a success. The Paluma kitchen goddesses are Jill, Felicity, Ros, Suzanne, Stella, Lynn and Michele. (Move over Nigella Lawson). Our sincere thanks go to the many local Paluma residents who supported the stall and came along to purchase the goods. We are most grateful for your support! If we have the energy, we think we might do it all over again in October for the next market.
Thank you to all the many community volunteers who worked tirelessly on Saturday and Sunday in various roles and to prepare the Hall and then pack up again. You know who you are and you are most appreciated.
Here’s a few photographs from the big weekend………
Text by Michele Bird & Photos by Michele Bird & Jill Meads.
Don’t forget about the big weekend coming up on Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 June.
The Paluma Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum is on Saturday 25 June. There will be a Sausage Sizzle for lunch at 12 pm so come early for a delicious lunch. The music and dancing starts at 1 pm. Entry to the Bush Dance is via a gold coin donation.
The Paluma Community Market then takes place on Sunday morning from 9 am to 1 pm with another sausage sizzle. There will be an array of stalls to browse and our first ‘Paluma Bakers Stall’ is going to be well stocked with a variety of home-made delicious baked goods for you to purchase and take home for afternoon tea. All proceeds raised from this stall go to the PDCA so please visit and make a purchase to support the community fund-raising.
Don’t miss this fun community weekend at beautiful Paluma in the sunshine and the fresh mountain air.
Our local legend Leslie Hyland celebrated his 91st birthday on 14 June. This weekend (18 June) some of Leslie’s friends joined him at the Rainforest Inn for morning tea and birthday cake. Lynn baked a very delicious chocolate and cherry cake which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The gathering was a chance for us to thank Les for his ongoing service to the Paluma community as a dedicated volunteer for anything and everything. Les made a heartfelt speech, reminding us of the value of community spirit and friendship. We think we are the lucky ones. How many communities can boast a 91 year old who is an active member of the SES, Rural Fire Brigade and regular volunteer for every community event. Not to mention his long-term service as our resident Barman for monthly socials and one of the long-term volunteers for the Paluma History Display. What a treasure is Leslie!
Paluma’s very own living legend and our tireless champion volunteer of anything and everything Sir Leslie Hyland will celebrate his 91st birthday on Tuesday 14 June.
Our sincere and heartfelt congratulations on this birthday milestone Leslie and from your many friends and your Paluma family we wish you many happy returns for the day and continued good health and happiness for the year ahead.
Everyone is invited to join Leslie at the Rainforest Inn this coming Saturday 18 June at 11 am to mark the occasion with some birthday cake.
The Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is found from Cairns to Melbourne. This male was foraging by himself on the dried fruit of an Alphitonia tree (known locally as sarsaparilla tree) near the Paluma Community Hall. Birds from southern Australia are larger than the northern sub-species Alisterus scapularis (minor). Lloyd Neilsen (Birds of the Wet Tropics) says they are uncommon at Paluma and Mt Lewis, but Andree Griffin and Roy Mackay class it as a breeding resident in an area from Little Crystal Creek to Mt Spec and Taravale.
Two species of shrike-thrush are commonly seen at Paluma — the Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) and Bowers Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla boweri). They are not easy to disambiguate even with a clear picture and a few bird books, as colour and distinguishing features vary quite a lot by gender and age for both species. The name doesn’t help as the Bowers Shrike-Thrush is smaller than the Little Shrike-Thrush.
This specimen posed for the camera on one of Jan Cooke’s tomato plants in April. Jan thinks this is probably a Little Shrike-Thrush.
The Paluma area bird list (compiled by Andree Griffin and Roy Mackay) lists the Rufous Songlark(Magalurus mathewsi) as an occasional visitor to Paluma, although its range covers most of Australia. This bird was one of a pair seen near the Community Hall in April. The Australian Bird Guide says the Rufous Songlark breeds in South Australia in spring and summer but migrates inland, or to north Australia in autumn and winter. The distinguishing ‘rufous rump’ is mostly hidden by wing feathers, but can be seen in photo 3 below.
Macleays Honeyeater(Xanthotis macleayanus) is a charming and friendly little bird endemic to the Wet Tropics and a common visitor to feed tables in Paluma. They are not shy and at places they visit regularly may perch on a hand that offers something to eat.
The Red-Backed Button Quail(Turnix maculosis) is a regular resident in the Paluma Village but is secretive, and most commonly observed exploding from cover and flying rapidly away.
This female was with a juvenile in tow across the road from the Community Hall in March, but scurried off down the back of Cooke’s place. She next appeared walking away by herself. It seems she planted the youngster under a bush and stayed in plain sight walking away to lead interest away from the bub.
