Anyone who spent some time at Paluma Village over the ANZAC Day long weekend doesn’t need me to tell them it was wet, wet, wet!
Finally there has been some respite from the relatively dry weather over the early months of 2022 with good rainfall totals in the BOM gauge at the Village Green over the past few days. In case you were wondering how much rain we’ve had in the village, here’s a quick snapshot of the weekend totals, noting that these recordings are made each morning between approximately 7.30 am and 8.30 am. Recorders are Barry Smith, Peter Cooke and/or Michele Bird.
Friday 22 April – 145 mm
Saturday 23 April – 48.5 mm
Sunday 24 April – 24.8 mm
Monday 25 April – 65.4 mm
Tuesday 26 April – 144 mm
That’s a whopping total of 427.7 mm over the past five days!
The good news from around the village is that many of the empty rainwater tanks on the outer village blocks (in the Republic) are now overflowing. Don at Hussey Road reported that his dam is full and that was early on Monday morning before the additional 144 mm of rain over the 24 hours to Tuesday morning.
Fortunately, the rain eased off slightly at 6 am Monday morning just in time for fifteen very hardy Paluma residents to mark ANZAC Day with our version of the Dawn Service. Daylight broke with the raising of the flag, the Last Post and a minute of silence. We shared ANZAC biscuits and then headed home for a hot cuppa. Special thanks to Len and Lynda for their efforts in contributing to the Dawn Service.
An added note is that the good rainfall means that the drive up and down the Paluma Range Road is pretty spectacular just now with all creeks and waterfalls in rapid flow. I snapped a few iPhone photographs yesterday (25 April) at some of my favourite spots along the way.
Twin Falls 1Twin Falls 2. Looks like the geotech guys have added some notes to the rock wall!Crystal Creek Bridge 1Crystal Creek Bridge 2The beautiful Fairy Falls.
Text & Photos by Michele Bird with recent rainfall readings contributed by Barry Smith and Michele Bird.
The Paluma Community Market was held Easter Sunday (17 April). After two days of splendid fine and sunny Autumn weather on Good Friday and Saturday (15 and 16 April), the rain descended early on Sunday morning and it didn’t lift all day. It was a cool, drizzly and generally miserable day weather-wise, but that didn’t stop large crowds from attending the market.
All stall holders reported brisk trade on the day. The Sausage Sizzle did a roaring trade and was all sold out by lunch time. There was a queue at various times throughout the morning at Jill and Colin’s coffee and tea stall, with hot-cross buns and cake on offer. Peter and Jan’s book stall to raise funds for the Paluma RFB was a great success. Stand-by for a further report from Sonya regarding the proceeds from the stall. Ross and Sonya had the fire truck on display with some important messages about fire safety in the home and in the bush. Ross treated the kids (big and small) to a few short bursts of the fire truck siren. The kids were given free RFB torches, stickers and colouring-in books, putting smiles on many little faces. Many happy customers left the Paluma Market with a new hand-made garment, a plant, pottery, painting or piece of jewellery. Just about everyone left with a book, some of us with a box of books!
Despite the rainy weather, the Paluma Easter Market was hailed as yet another successful market, contributing important fund raising to the PDCA and Paluma RFB. Thanks to all stall holders and volunteers for making the market a success and we will see you all in the last weekend in June (Sunday 26 June) for a bumper Bush Dance Market.
Text by Michele Bird & Photos by Michele Bird & Juanita Poletto.
‘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).
Whilst gardening at her Smith Crescent property last weekend, Jodie came across this beautiful Ocellated Velvet Gecko (or OVG for short!). Scientific name Oedura monilis.
These relatively large geckos are found in north eastern Australia from near Townsville, south to the New South Wales border. They are common in forested areas, sheltering by day in crevices of rock outcrops, in tree hollows or beneath loose bark.
My research suggests that Jodie’s specimen is a sub-adult due to the bright yellow dorsal markings. In adult geckoes these markings are said to be variable, but they tend to be darker brown to grey in colour. Individuals usually dwell on a home tree from which they forage widely in search of food. References indicate that these geckoes prefer dry woodland and dry sclerophyll forests rather than high altitude rainforest.
Has anyone else spotted these stunning geckoes in and around the Paluma village?
References: Stephen Swanson – Field Guide to Australian Reptiles and Stephen Wilson & David Knowles – Australia’s Reptiles: A Photographic Reference to the Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia.
The Paluma community came together last Saturday evening (20 March 2022) to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. An enthusiastic crowd of about 30 people joined in the celebrations at the Community Hall, many adorned in shades of green.
As usual, there was a feast on offer with many Irish inspired dishes including colcannon, Irish stew, corned beef, Guinness pies and an array of other gourmet dishes. Just when you thought you could not possibly eat anymore, Tony arrived with BBQ chicken and the best roast potatoes I’ve eaten for a long time. What good Celt can resist a spud, so I found room for two more! Dessert then followed with apple crumble, lime cheesecake and Jennie’s Guinness chocolate cake. It was melt in the mouth.
Leprechaun Leslie entertained the crowd with some (clean) Irish jokes. Peter Cooke impressed with his vast knowledge of Irish history and culture taking out the St. Paddy’s night quiz. Jack was banned from using Google this year, so for once he didn’t win the competition. Even with some rampant cheating, Michele could not beat Peter to take out the prize of a free drink at the bar. Several patrons were lucky enough to find a ‘Shamrock Scratchy’ under their seat, but no one will be giving up their day job any time soon as there were no big winners on the night. The luck of the Irish…..?
It was great to see so many attendees at this Social and a very good time was had by all. Several of our newest residents to Paluma attended and we had the opportunity to welcome them to the village and introduce them to new friends and neighbours. It’s all about community!
Long-time resident of Paluma Colwyn Campbell is a renowned artist whose life’s passion has been to paint and capture on canvas the wonders of nature and the natural environment. Her rainforest paintings inspired by the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and other places across northern Australia have been exhibited several times in Darwin and throughout North Queensland.
In 1995 whilst living in Darwin, Colwyn spent just over a year creating a rainforest-inspired painting of a large python or carpet snake. Colwyn says that the painting was basically inspired by her love for the rainforests of Australia and the creatures of the forest. Her chosen theme for her artwork in 1995 was to paint snakes! The result of Colwyn’s long year of painting is an enormous and impressive piece of artwork, measuring nearly 2 metres in height and more than 2.5 metres in width.
The full canvas of Colwyn’s stunning representation of a python in the rainforest.
Colwyn exhibited her painting at an art show in Darwin in 1996. A close friend of Colwyn’s purchased the painting and he has enjoyed it in his home in Darwin for the past 25 years. In recent months, Colwyn’s friend has moved house and in down-sizing to an apartment he no longer has the room to hang this rather sizeable artwork. The painting was offered back to Colwyn and was subsequently rolled up and shipped to Townsville.
The rolled canvas made its way to Geoff Jensen at Top Frames in Townsville and it has been expertly stretched and mounted on a frame. The immense size of the framed artwork meant that it was a challenge to transport it to Paluma. None of us could fit it safely in our vehicles and Geoff recently made a special trip up the range in his large van to deliver the work to Colwyn.
In a remarkably kind gesture, Colwyn recently gifted the artwork to Wilfred who shares her love of the rainforest and the natural environment. Wilfred and Suzanne plan to hang the painting at the Cavilcade Guesthouse for locals and visitors to admire and enjoy for years to come. Indeed, there are probably few homes in Paluma that would have a wall big enough to accommodate this stunning but particularly large painting!
A more detailed view of the painting and the python.
It seems rather fitting that this splendid painting of a python will hang in Paluma to be enjoyed by many. Pythons are of course common in our village and the surrounding wet tropics rainforest. We see them on a regular basis, especially in the warmer months of the year. A sighting always generates great news, excitement and wonder amongst the local community. These amazing creatures are also of immense cultural significance to Aboriginal people and the original inhabitants of the wet tropics rainforest region.
The Paluma village lies within the homelands of the Nywaigi People. The Nywaigi People along with their neighbours to the south, the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba People from Ross River to Rollingstone and the neighbours to the east, the Manbarra People from the Palm Island Group and offshore islands, share a common creation story. The central creation story and myth cycle is focused on Gabul – the carpet snake, whose travels between the Herbert River and the Ross River created the coastline, the eastern coastal ranges and the offshore islands in Halifax Bay and Cleveland Bay. From the Traditional Owners point of view, Gabul created this landscape and Gabul looks after this country.
It’s great to know that Colwyn’s painting inspired so many years ago in Darwin will now hang in Paluma. It has travelled a long way to be here. Thanks to Colwyn’s generosity, we will have the opportunity to admire this artwork into the future and we have our own rather unique representation of ‘Gabul’ to remind us of the immeasurable natural and cultural values of this place. As Colwyn transitions to living on the coast in the coming months, we also have a rather special reminder of our talented friend, a mentor for many and a stalwart of this little community.
Text & Photos by Michele Bird with the kind permission of Colwyn Campbell & Wilfred Karnoll.
The 2022 Paluma Social Calendar is out and it promises to be a jam-packed year of social events and activities. We have tried to cater for all interests with a diverse range of events planned over the course of the year. Whether you’re into dancing, dining, fungi, frogs, cycling, cooking, yarning, relaxing, running, raging, bird watching, bocce, gardening, history, hiking, table tennis, trivia, nature or the arts, there is surely something for everyone to participate in and enjoy. If you can’t find something to do at Paluma, then you’re just not trying!
In addition to the PDCA Social Events, there are the many other activities going on around the village from time to time with the Townsville Bushwalking Club, the Paluma After Dark Club, Outer Limits Adventures and other group activities. We will endeavour to let you know about these events as they come up over the course of the year.
The PDCA Social Sub-Committee is always happy to hear from Paluma residents with suggestions for future events and activities. We’d love to hear your ideas, so please let us know by having a chat with Lynda, Michele or Lynn.
Below is a quick snapshot of some of the many activities on the 2022 Paluma Social Calendar. Stay tuned to the website for regular reminders and updates throughout the year.
Join in people. You only live once and what a great place to live!
Planned Social Events in 2022
Saturday 19 March 6.30 PM – St. Patricks Night
Saturday 23 April 12.00 PM – PDCA Annual General Meeting & Free BBQ Lunch
Saturday 7 May 5.00 PM – Games Night with Captain Klumpp & Sausage Sizzle
Saturday 14 May 4.00 PM – Watercolours & Wine Workshop with Colwyn Campbell
Sunday 17 April – Paluma Market
Saturday 25 June 12.00 PM – Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum & BBQ Lunch
Well it’s that time of the year again. In the middle of March it’s time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Paluma community will hold a Social on Saturday 19th March to acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish. The celebrations will kick off at 6.30 pm at the Community Hall.
Come as you are, or come dressed in your best resplendent Irish gear. Everyone will be green with envy!
Please bring a dish to share. Savoury or sweet, hot or cold. It can be an Irish-inspired dish if you choose. Everybody’s favourite leprechaun Les Hyland will be at the Bar to serve low cost beverages.
Everyone is welcome, especially newcomers to the village. Come and meet your new friends and neighbours and enjoy some good conversation and fun, Paluma-style. See you there!
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
