30pm • Op Shop open on Saturday—

COMMUNITY PROJECT TO HELP ENVIRONMENT & KIDS

Enquiries to Sue— 041 000 8082

DROP into the PINK WHEELIE BIN

NEWS

It is with much sorrow that I have to tell those who remember her that we’ve lost another of “our tribe” with the passing of Val Diehm. Valerie Dawn lived here for many years – she was the most generous and the kindest of women, a hard-worker and busy all the time –mostly helping others and laughing lots. She brought much joy into our lives and although we missed her badly when she left here, we could still speak with her. Now we’ll miss her more so. Vale Val…..

Bob Richardson hasn’t had good health recently and had a stint in hospital. However, he’s home now enjoying renewed and improved health which is great news. Prayers going his way. Maureen Ryan has not been in the best of health. Our best wishes to her for a great improvement.

Chrissie and Mark, and “vollies” Michael

Fitzpatrick, Deb & Bob Calder, Terry Saunders, and Linda Cleaver for stepping up and doing stuff over and above what was expected.

• Been plugging along this past month on mostly admin-type work. Only a couple of physical items to attend to, organise, and prepare for but otherwise, keeping our collective heads down working hard doing what we hope we do well. • Looking forward during August to the formative gathering of our Grief and Loss Group, so please come along if you’re interested or can offer support, comfort and/or solace; or you know of someone who needs succour whom you can bring along.

Bernice Ivett and John O’Kane are both recovering from knee surgery. We wish them both a speedy recovery.

On a happier note, we welcome and congratulate New Baby Boy Pace (his name is Remy) on his arrival into our world. No doubt Dad, Rian, and Mum, Samantha, deserve congratulations also. It certainly appears that the Pace dynasty continues apace (pardon the pun) with the new generation making their mark on this world with Fletcher and Elsie, son and daughter of Hayden and Caitlin now being joined by Remy. At time of submission of this column, we were unaware of anyone else who is or has been ill, injured, debilitated, or laid up due to surgery. We hope this is so throughout our distribution area and that we are a reasonably healthy lot. • The Car Boot Sale had more Vendors than patrons, I think – just jesting! But, the weather was great and everyone seemed to be enjoying the day which is the main objective. However, we will trim the sails of the next one because we have no desire to feature in the Guinness Book of Records; so, for the sanity of all those responsible for making the day work, I will advise now that it definitely won’t be as big. However, for all their

monumental efforts, I’d like to thank particularly

• We will also do another Markets Bus Trip during August (15th) and then September will see our AGM, and the Pineapple Festival – for starters. • Our AGM is scheduled for Thursday, Septr. 9th @ 7pm. We will formalise our Op Shop Building Fund at this meeting. • The newly-installed Weather Station is up and running effectively in beautiful down-town (central) Mystic. In a few short weeks, it has already proved its worth and confirms the fact that Mystic gets most of the local rain and is also that tiny bit cooler than the rest of town. You might like to try this: https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/easy-pineapplesquares-recipe/hhrw8j9a REMEMBER: A VOTE is not a Valentine – you aren’t confessing your love for the candidate. A VOTE is a chess move for the world you want to live in! Live well, love much, laugh often................ “Sancho Panza”

WILDLIFE CARERS ROLLINGSTONE, BALGAL BEACH and surrounds

THE HISTORY OF ROLLINGSTONE / BALGAL BEACH / MYSTIC SANDS — PART II

Local History as described by Trish Cronin

During WWII, with the threat of invasion and the extension of the war in the Pacific brought many changes to this region. American troops set up ordinance depots at Kurukan (Leichhardt Creek) covering an area of 26 square miles. Rollingstone was used by the 7th Infantry Brigade with troops training in the Paluma Ranges before deployment to Milne Bay. NOROFRCE patrolled the beachfront areas from Bohle to Palm Creek and gun placements were located on the foreshores. A Radar Station was located at Paluma and a Coastwatch house was positioned on the hillside opposite what is now the Rollingtone Hotel and BP garage and was manned day and night. It was from this area that Japanese aircraft were spotted heading for Townsville. Balgal Beach underwent many changes and the beachside property of the Howitson family was taken over by the military. The property now forms part of the Mystic Sands area and Howitson Drive is named after the family.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Two of Australia’s native animals, the Platypus and the Echidnas, are the only two mammals in the world that lay eggs to give birth.

Echidnas and the platypus are the only egg-laying mammals, known as monotremes. The average lifespan of an echidna in the wild is estimated to be around 14–16 years. When fully grown, a female can weigh up to 4.5 kilograms (9.9 lb), and a male can weigh up to 6 kilograms (13 lb). The echidnas' sex can be inferred from their size, as males are 25% larger than females on average. A Cenotaph was built in Rollingstone by the Lions Club and dedicated in 1997 to the members of the community who served in all Theatres of War and to the 7th Infantry Brigade. A Memorial Wall is located by the Cenotaph. On the beach front at Balgal, another Memorial was built by the Rollingstone RSL to hold Services on ANZAC Day and other days of remembrance. The park at Rollingstone was named Vincent Bush Parker Memorial Park to honour a WWII pilot. His family worked for the Railway and were stationed at Purono Park. Vincent worked for Kodak in Townsville but left to join a circus which eventually saw him in Britain. He joined the Royal Air Force and trained a a pilot on Spitfires. He was shot down in 1941 during the Battle of Britain and was rescued by the Germans and transferred to Colditz Prison for the duration of the war. On his release and return to Britain in 1946, Lieutenant Vincent “Bushy” Parker crashed while test flying aircraft and was killed.

THE ROLLINGSTONE SES GROUP URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS!! Are you the type of person who takes a hands on approach to emergencies?

The SES responds to many different types of activations as a result of disasters and emergencies. SES Volunteers are ’ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

If you would like to help, we will find a way to utilise your talents and expertise. For more information Visit your local SES HQ training night (2nd & 4th Wednesday each month).

Call your Local Group Leader to find out more on 0418 194 876

Council offers FREE MICROCHIPPING

to registered pets once a month. The event takes place at the Animal Care & Adoption Centre.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL! CALL 13 48 10

Upcoming Dates: 25 Aug 22 Sept 20 Oct 17 Nov 15 Dec

Properties selling off market! Plenty of genuine buyers.

ROLLINGSTONE & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB INC.

Welcome, The lions Clubs International motto is ‘We Serve.’

The concept of Lions is to offer resilience in our local Communities, Nationally and the greater community worldwide.

Our new Rollingstone and District Lions Club, was reestablished after the original club became inactive through an aging membership and has continued the activity of servicing and strengthening our community for 14 years now, be it helping in our growing local community, assisting with support after natural disasters, humanitarian aid into Papua New Guinea and a small contribution through our Annual Dues to assist world- wide community support. Lions Australia is pleased to announce that in September 2022 the milestone of 75 years of Service in Australia, will be celebrated with an aim to have 75 commemorative gardens developed Nationally as a commitment to the environment and to offer improvement to local communities’ way of life. Here in Rollingstone/Balgal Beach, we would like to accept this as a project for the benefit of our whole community and seek ideas and input from the community. We have many keen gardeners locally and a commentative garden could be a point of interest for the whole community, somewhere where people could gather in a common interest of active gardening or just reflection. To achieve this, we need to improve our fundraising that has been severely hindered by COVID over the past 18 months, seeking ways of helping people in our community and at the same time building our ability to offer lasting support. Years ago, when I was just a youngster the Scouts had a wonderful slogan call ’Bob a Job.’ I am not sure how much a ’Bob’ would equate to today, but I have been told that a volunteer’s value is considered around $25 per hour. Without affecting local trades people, we would like to offer our services for small jobs helping such as cleaning walkways or driveways, weeding, or gardening jobs that are getting out of hand this time of year, removing garden rubbish, cleaning fans etc. for a small donation around the $25 per hour mark.

These jobs will make us all feel good about our properties and the funds will go towards our concept of a commemorative garden. If you would like to avail yourself of our services or would like to help as a ‘friend of the lions club’ in volunteering for our fundraising effort for this project or the concept of a commemorative garden just give a call on 0414808483 or email on john09255@gmail.com Cheers, John Holliday, Club Presiding Officer

Are you bushfire prepared?

The bushfire season in Queensland runs from late July to February, and will vary within the state. The Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is an early indicator of potential danger and should act as your first trigger for action. When there’s a bushfire in your area, it’s up to you to take notice, seek information, make decisions and act.

BALGAL BEACH BOATING & LEISURE CLUB

G’Day all, Another good BBQ night, the food was excellent! The ladies’ desserts were worth dying for. TOP JOB LADIES. Also a top job done by the cooks, Alan and Geoff. WELL DONE GUYS. We played quoits with a difference. Each member played on their own and the highest score for one turn would be the winner but they could have as many turns as they wanted during the night to try for a bigger score. Geoff Ivett was top scorer and won the LOUNDS FRESH SEAFOOD VOUCHER. Good prize. It was Margie Humphries birthday the week before, so we all sang Happy Birthday to her and by coincidence she won the night’s LUCKY MEMBERS DRAW. She is a lovely lady also and all present were very pleased for her. GOOD ON YA MARGIE!

Our next BBQ night is our AGM, so please think about who to nominate. Nominations will also be taken from the floor. It is important that as many members as possible attend.

So come along for a fun night on 8th August, 5.30pm at the Community Hall, Community Crescent. For more information call Linda 4770 7991. It will be another great night; we are going to play GOLF PUTTING after the election….LOTS OF LAUGHS.

Visitors are always welcome. Meals are $10 per person, children under 12 are free. Members are always free.

Every minute, every hour, every day.

On average, one person is diagnosed with cancer every 20 minutes in Queensland. All of us know someone who is affected. Show you care by calling

1800 901 594.

Donate. Volunteer. Connect.

With your help we’re getting closer to a cancer free future.

2nd Saturday of Every Month!

Next Sitting — 14TH AUGUST Doors Open 12.30pm Eyes Down 1pm 40 Calls

G’day everyone, and welcome to this month's edition of the Rolly Rag Report for the Fishing Club.

We still have a few of our Members with wanderlust and are travelling around in their caravans. Most of them have come back now, including our esteemed President and his lady who arrived back last night. The travelling circle is becoming concentric circles – going round and round within Queensland due to restrictions around the country. The last Friday Night BBQ was held on Friday 25th June. A bit quieter that night with a number of members either away travelling, or other things on that night. I counted 22 members that fitted in either of those categories, which resulted in a quiet, but still very pleasant evening. Again thanks to our Cordon Bleu chefs, this time Richard and Geoff, who did a fantastic job on the tools. And also of course, to everyone who again helped out on the night, cooking, dishing up, packing away, buying the supplies, making salads, setting up etc. Due to minimal numbers on the night no raffle was held.

Monthly Fishing Prizes – none of the winners were there on the night so prizes weren’t handed out. I won’t announce who those winners were, and hopefully they will be there at the next BBQ 30th July. Despite the lower than usual numbers, it was still another great social night.

Next Monthly Function – we have organised a Camp Oven cook up for the night of 30th July. We will have around 10 camp ovens with various stews, curries, corned beef etc.

This should be a great night so looking forward to it, and seeing as many people as we are able to have come along.

Again I’d like to remind everyone that the Club puts on a courtesy bus for you all which is available to pick you up and take you home – you can then enjoy a few drinks at the BBQ. All you need to do is ring Kim on 0419387856 to book a seat on the bus.

Markets – Most recent markets were held Saturday 3rd July. Whilst the number of people wandering through the markets didn’t appear to be all that busy, we had good feedback from stallholders, and again the Fishing Club BBQ brunch at the Markets was busy and basically sold out – again. MEMBERSHIPS – Annual Memberships are now due (as of 30th June) so I encourage you all to get your Memberships in to continue to take part in this vibrant Club, and avail of the benefits of your Membership. Existing Members have been emailed a Membership form. There are Blank Forms at the Landing, we will have plenty of forms at the next Friday Night Function.

Last weekend at the Car Boot Sale Kim set up camp, and ably assisted by some of our Members, talked Membership of the Club to people in attendance, sold promotional material such as stubby coolers and coffee cups etc. Thank you to all those that helped out on the day, and hopefully will convert into some new members.

AGM – AGM will be held on Friday Night 27th August, at 6pm, before our BBQ. It’s not that far away. You do need to be a paid up Member in order to vote, or to take on a Committee Position.

Secretary Kim will be issuing formal notice of AGM very shortly, and we will be talking about positions available remembering all positions are vacated at the AGM.

The Club held a Land Based Fishing Competition from Friday 9th July, 6pm until Saturday 10th July, 12noon. This was followed by presentation and sausage sizzle at The Landing, Balgal Beach.

Congratulations go to our winners Diane Blanch and Kye Sharkey Each picked up $100 for their efforts. Young Kye is a mad keen fisherman, and it is great to see him get rewarded for his efforts.

Tales of woe:• Gavin Love looks like with his knee injuryhe is out for the season, but expert medical advice tells me he should be clambering up on top of shed rooves in about a month or so. • President Graham was away recently, camping in his caravan, gave his leg a nick with a chain saw. The nick was nothing, but it became infected, which resulted in 5 days in a row having to go in to get a needle, as well as enough antibiotics that resulted in him rattling when he walked.

Sick Report – Darren Haggarty is recovering from his back surgery. My spies tell me he has been able to get the boat out on the water so things are looking up.

Giday folks , the last month has passed quicker than normal for some reason probably my age has something to do with it.

We have had some excellent boating weather for a change allowing for outer reef trips and good catches of Coral Trout, Sweetlip and Nannygai, especially from Rib Reef and Britomart. The amount of shark bite offs is especially high and once they start you might as well move your position to another Bommie. A 100lb handline and a strong retrieval seems the best way of getting an entire fish on board.

The islands have fished well this month with good reports coming in of Nannygai, Sweetlip, Coral Trout and Spanish Mackerel being boated around Acheron, Havanah and Fly Island area. Also Esk and Falcon islands, best bait being squid and mullet. Good catches of mackerel and GTs taken on Silver Spoons and red and white lures.

Crabbing catches at Cattle, Olera, Crystal Creek, and Scrubby Creek are on the improve with crabs filling up on their flesh. which makes for a good feed.

Feeling lucky? - have a try for the winter whiting and bream around the creek mouths and if you can’t locate and good yabby patches, have a try for the Mantis Prawns just south of the stinger net position . Just look for what looks like a yabby hole at low tide but should contain a Mantis Prawn which are excellent bait for whiting and bream or even the odd barra feeding close inshore early morning and evening.

If you are going boating at night, keep a good lookout for whales in the bay area and around the islands and have a look at the regulations regarding whales and boats it may save you some strife.

Well, that’s it for this month. remember you can leave your out of date flares and EPIRBS at the Landing for safe disposal.

Safe boating and tight lines.

Dickie. We still need someone to take the Rolly Rag article job on – its not very time consuming – about half an hour a month, as it won’t be long and the current scribe will be away for an extended period - Covid permitting.

Any interested parties could let Graham know on 0428 416 060 or Kim on 0419 387 856.

Check our Facebook page for up to date news:

https://www.facebook.com/Fishermans- Landing-FishingSocial-Club-Balgal-Beach-inc

For more information regarding our club please contact Graham 0428 416 060 or email: fishermanslandingfishingclub@gmail.com

That's it for this month - tight lines and happy fishing.

Spike.

The Emergency+ App is a free app developed by Australia's emergency services and their Government and industry partners.

The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

What a big month July was ! Great to see so many visitors playing , staying and enjoying what Balgal Beach and its surrounds has to offer

I know some local businesses got some rewards too and everyone has only had positive comments. In early July, 68 ladies took to the course for the Ladies Open with Bev Suckling from Townsville winning the overall gross with 85. Great to see as Bev always supports local golf and is a worthy winner. Our own Ladies were amongst the prize winners with Shelley Barrett winning C Grade and Joan Johnston taking Nearest to the Pin. Well done girls.

The following weekend, a 36 hole, two day event for men was held with 56 players. Scott Sibson of Home Hill (playing off plus 1 ) hit 153 Gross for the weekend and won the over all gross result. Scott and many others had nothing but praise for the course, club and effort everyone put into making the events so successful.

Mystic Sands Ladies Open winner Bev Suckling held 11th July with Major Sponsor Natalie Pace on behalf of Pace Farming Winners celebrate Men’s Open Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July at Mystic Sands Golf Resort

Special welcome to all the new members. We are looking forward to seeing you on the course over the next few months.

Most of all stay safe and well and remember fresh air and exercise is great anytime. Have fun in the sun all year round, hit long but hit them straight. Gurdie

BOWLS REPORT

Many of our members were amongst the winners taking all the prizes in both B and C Grade. Big congratulations to Tony Richards; Winner B Grade with a 170 gross, Shane Edge; Winner B Grade with 145 gross, and Runner Up B gross, Wayne Bulter. In C Grade, Brian Wilson 190 gross winner, Phil Thompson, 195 gross runner up, Matt Farlow Best Nett Winner 140 and Richard Gammie Nett runner up 151. Well done gentlemen for flying the flag high for Mystic Sands Golf Club A huge thank you to all our sponsors especially our local companies, PACE Farming and Mow and Grow. Such events would not be possible without them. Thank you to Mick and his team for all the effort in course preparation, the bar and food team, and of course his family. Thanks to all the volunteers who put in a huge effort over the weeks to make it all such a success.

Thank you to the 40 plus Locals, Campers and Lions who competed and supported the inaugural Smallbon Cup on 15th July at Mystic Sands Golf Resort bowling green. A great night had by all. The sausage sizzle finale was very popular. The Cup was won by Lions Graeme Wegert, past president and the Greenkeeper, Reg Geritz . Special thanks to Lion ladies Linda Cleaver and Irene Byrns for their hard work walking the course, selling tickets in the meat tray raffle. The winner was local Leo's co ordinator Shirley Muller. Thanks to Mick and family for their support. Wade was voted top barman by the group but I can only remember one person behind the bar. Surprise voucher winners were our two juniors from the Leo's. Well done young bowlers with a big future. The fellowship and friendliness of the night is what Lions is all about. Another night of barefoot bowls will be organised soon for Lions. A special thank you to Lion Bruce Smallbon for sponsoring the night and donating all vouchers.

A reminder to our locals, every Thursday night from 5 30 is Bowls Night. All welcome. Beginners tuition is given by local champions.

Paluma was certainly in the clouds for many days during July. On some days, the cloud mist did not lift, making the village look mysterious and ethereal and especially eerie once darkness fell. Little animals scurried unseen and the calls of night birds seemed slightly muffled in the mist. It was a very unpleasant adventure however, to drive up the Range at night with darkness and heavy cloud obscuring the road. Next time I go to town I’ll make sure I leave well before dark!

Miraculously the cloud lifted and the rain stopped for the weekend of 17th-18th July: the weekend of the iconic Mountain Bike Race, the Paluma Push, and everything was bathed in sunlight. The Push is an annual highlight, when hundreds of people descend on (or should it be, ascend to, Paluma for this popular cycle race. This year, the Push celebrated its twentieth year and the organisers, Sam Stedman and Aline Herzog from Outer Limits Adventure and many volunteers, made sure it was a memorable and highly successful occasion.

This year, the event was held over two days and the route was extended to 100km: a very arduous course from the village to Hidden Valley camping ground, via Lake Paluma with some very challenging and rough country to negotiate, including cattle pads, goat tracks and creek crossings. Competitors and spectators thronged at the Village Green to see the start of the race: there were 600 riders and many hundreds of spectators. The atmosphere was like a carnival, with music playing in the background and the buzz of excited happy voices. Later, hundreds gathered at the camping ground to welcome the riders in. Three hundred or so people were camped at the site for the weekend and again the atmosphere was festive. A huge bonfire blazed, greatly appreciated by the revellers as the temperature dropped rapidly after sunset. Food stalls ran a thriving trade (as did the Bar, run by the PDCA), an eight-piece band, ‘Shots Fired’ from Townsville, played a popular mix of light music to which people sang and danced and the partying went on well into the night. residents rode; Jill Meads and Ian Anderson. Congratulations to Jill who rode 42km and came in fourth for her age group. The winners of the 70km category, usually the main event, were Ethan Weiss and Anne Beck who took out the Mozzie and Haydn Tilley Memorial Trophy. Happily, despite the treacherous track, there were no casualties during the race. Congratulations to the organisers and volunteers for making this event such a resounding success. For details of winners and photos of the event, please look at the Paluma Push website. Satin Bower-birds are active throughout Paluma gardens, constructing their courtship bowers: open topped arches of sticks and twigs with an array of blue items on the surrounding ground. A bower in my neighbour’s garden had an amazing collection of blue objects – lolly wrappers, clothes pegs, bottle tops, plastic strips and a few berries but they didn’t last long. Other birds plundered the lot to decorate their own bowers. Many birds are active at present, amid the foliage of trees and foraging on the ground and birdwatchers are making the most of it. An unusual boatbill, seldom seen in Paluma was spotted by one keen photographer recently.

To acknowledge the

decommissioning of HMAS Paluma, the village is to welcome crew on 7th August as they parade through the village and are accorded ‘freedom of the

city’. The Navy last paraded here in 1989. A report of this event will be given in the September issue of Rolly Rag.

A reminder that our History Display is open every Tuesday between 11.00 and 1.00 pm at the Community Hall. Entry is free and visitors are invited to come and browse and enjoy coffee, tea, cake and a chat. Look us up on the website https://paluma.org

Keep safe, keep well. Colwyn Campbell

Satin Bowerbird

Rollingstone RSL continues to operate as we usually do, providing member’s welfare and community engagement. We will conduct a Vietnam Veteran’s Commemoration Service on 18th August (Wednesday) at the Balgal Beach Memorial. The service will commence at 10.00 am and will be followed by fellowship at the home of Rollingstone RSL; Mystic Sands Golf Resort. All are welcome.

Recently of course, like everybody else, we had a lock down which prevented our usual activities on Friday nights for a couple of weeks. Thankfully we are over that, and on Friday night we were back in full swing with the raffles and the goose club. How about those geese exploit photos that appear on the Rollingstone and Balgal face book pages! I regret that comment leads me to news I am sorry to have to share; our Secretary Suzi will complete her term by the time you read this article. Suzi has been a wonderful Secretary of the RSL for just over two years. Her time has included the most dramatic events including Covid in our short history of 21 years. Suzi leaves her post with the best wishes of the members and their regrets. Suzi has been simply inspirational in the conduct of her duties and support of the RSL. Fortunately, we don’t lose Suzi from the organisation, just her role as Secretary. Suzi has enjoyed her participation in the Friday nights at the Golf club and will continue to appear on the roster. Thank you, Suzi, from the bottom of our hearts for your achievements and support to the RSL. How to recover? The Rollingstone RSL will continue to operate, we will find a new identity. If you would like to support the RSL on the Committee or volunteer on Friday nights or assist us with commemorative activities please contact the President or a committee member at any time and have a chat. Our contact details are in the Rag of course.

I would like to thank our supporters from our community including the team at Mystic Sands Golf Club, without all your support our endeavours would be much more difficult to achieve.

Ewan Cameron, President

Well, what a surprise. We have road works on Balgal Beach Road so the speed limit has been reduced and the speeding cars have lessened considerably. This has had a good affect on the carnage on our road, less vehicle hits to native animals. Why can’t this happen all the time??

It is the time of year when the animals are out and about. Echidnas for example, are looking for a mate so are busy moving from place to place, upsetting dogs and not caring one bit. They are zoned for one thing only so give them a break and let them pass through your property unmolested.

Dogs off-leash are a royal pain in the butt for everyone. If you have a dog(s) keep them in your yard, they should not be free to roam as pleased. Not only do they chase and attack native animals they also chase and attack domestic pets, cause havoc on roads and are complete menaces on our beaches.

Last week, one of our locals became a Wildlife Warrior when she helped save one of our agile wallabies. Di was walking down the beach one perfect morning when she saw something in the shallows. On closer inspection she saw it was a young wallaby near dead in the water. She wrapped it in her shirt and managed to contact Christine, a local wildlife carer, who drove around to collect the poor half drowned animal. Working on drying the wallaby to brush off the wet sand, it was lightly sedated to allow it to recover. It was given electrolytes to hydrate and combat any salt water and then left to warm up. Close to 4 hours later, being monitored all the time, he was ready to be released back out into the scrub.

He took off like a rocket. A job well done. Thanks to all concerned in his recovery. NO thanks to the dog owners who let their dogs run free on the beach. Cheers, Gaye