Palmwoods is a country town in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, 100 kilometres north of the Qld capital of Brisbane. The town center is 27 metres above sea level and the surrounding district covers an area of 2300 square kilometres.

The area was originally thickly timbered forests with dense palm scrubs. In 1868, it became the wet weather route for Cobb & Co coaches traveling between Brisbane and the Gympie goldfields, this followed the first white settlers arriving in Palmwoods in 1881.

 

The Kuskopf Family - The first settlers to Palmwoods

Palmwoods economy was originally based on timber but evolved into fruit farming over the years. During the 1950's, Palmwoods was Queensland's second largest loading center for pineapples and citrus. The focus has since shifted to avocados and strawberries.

W.H & G.R Lingard felling this massive Blackbutt. 1924

Buderim Tram at the Palmwoods Station 1916

The township grew around the main northern train line which opened in 1891, however, while the railway was originally the town's lifeblood, it is now at the center of its business and traffic problems.

Palmwoods has always had a strong community spirit, with its people instigating construction of numerous public buildings and supporting a wide variety of community based and sporting organisations.

As the town's economic base has shifted from farming, it has created what could be considered on of the biggest issues confronting Palmwoods today - land use. Confrontation is arising between farmers seeking to subdivide increasingly unviable properties and others wanting to retain rural amenity.

Palmwoods is a community in all senses of the word, a relatively high percentage of its people brought together not only by sharing the same town address, but also by a feeling of belonging and willingness to show mutual support.

Given its origins and the course of its development shaped by its natural environment, a history of its people fostering the welfare of the town, and current debate over future directions, it is appropriate to analyse Palmwoods through the social science disciplines of history, geography, politics and welfare. During the course of research, it was apparent that there is a considerable overlap in the disciplines when applied to a community over a period of more than a century. The history and geography of Palmwoods are intricately intertwined and both have had considerable influence on economic, political and social development. A product bound by its past, Palmwoods continues to draw strongly on the community spirit of yesteryear.

The area was serviced by Cobb & Co Coaches until the North Coast rail line opened in 1891, although the concept of a railway from Brisbane to Gympie had been mooted in the early 1880's construction of the line boosted the local economy and population, there were 900 men employed in the local area during its construction. Today the rail line which built the town, both physically and economically has created its own set of problems causing division of shopping areas, impeding traffic flow and restricting entry of high vehicles to the town. The poorly planned layout of the commercial center can be attributed to growth radiating from the railway station of 1891.

Development of a road network followed, although originally on the main route from Brisbane, Palmwoods was bypassed in the early 1930's when the Bruce Highway, part of the national highway system was surveyed. The disappointment of the community of the day in being overlooked, has proven, with the passage of time, to be unfounded, the appeal of modern day Palmwoods lies in its peaceful rural setting.

Community spirit prevailed through the 1920's when four Churches and a Memorial Hall were built and in more recent times the opening of a community Swimming Pool (1993) construction of a Scout Den, Scouting (1915), Guides (1930's) CWA (1934), Rural Youth (1958), Police & Citizens Youth & Welfare Association (1966) the Lions Club in (1979), Kolora Park in (1968), and the Palmwoods Progress Association, the oldest and still active on the Sunshine Coast, was founded in (1902).

Today, Palmwoods is a peacful country retreat with a patchwork of scenic farms set against the splendid backdrop of the Blackall Range. It is home to growing businesses such as Tropico, Gourmet Garden, a range of cottage industries and a variety of local business and services.

Aerial Photo of Palmwoods Town Center - 2004

The Palmwoods Main Street in 1916

The Palmwoods Main Street in 1972

The Palmwoods Main Street in 2004

The Palmwoods Main Street (towards railway) in 2004

Billy Phillips' passenger bus. Palmwoods to Maroochydore, 1924

Sugar Cane on Spackman's farm in the 1920's

Palmwoods Main St 1917 (Taken towards the Hotel)

Kolora Park - 2004

Margaret Street - 2004

Please "click here" for the Palmwoods Progress Association information page.

Palmwoods Cricket Club 'A' Grade Premiers 1930/1

Additional Information regarding the Palmwoods Cricket Club is available on their website:

www.palmwoodscricketclub.com.au

Palmwoods Bowls Club (Year Unknown)

Click Here (for more info on the Bowls Club)

Please "click here" for the Palmwoods Memorial Hall information page.

Palmwoods Tennis Club (Year Unknown)

Cittamani is an At Home Palliative Care Service, providing palliative care for people with a life threatening illness. The service covers the area from Landsborough to Noosa and the Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. A team of specialist palliative nurses, counsellor and respite volunteers provide service 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.

Contact Details:

AMAI TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS

AMAI TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS

Contact Details:

Information Will be posted soon!

 

You can obtain info through the Palmwoods Memorial Hall

The Cubs meet on a Monday night from 6.00 - 7.30.
The Scouts are on a Tuesday night from 6.30 - 8.30.

Contacting the group leader, Jeff Bailey: P.h: 54450050
Postal address: 50 Shurvell Rd Palmwoods 4555
E-mail: jmmmbailey@people.net.au

Information Will be posted soon!

Information Will be posted soon!

Palmwoods State School enjoys strong community involvement and support. It is a school which operates on a strong set of values which reflect the ideals of the students, staff and broader community. Central to this is our mission statement and graduate qualities which we strive to achieve for every graduating student.

Mission Statement: Harnessing the collective capacity of our school community to ignite the potential of every student


The Graduate Qualities for the Palmwoods School are:-
1. Multi-literate, skilled and knowledgeable
2. Compassionate, honest, respectful and socially adept
3. Confident, organised and independent learners reaching their personal potential
4. Enthusiastic, open minded, creative and positive in attitude
5. Healthy in mind, body and spirit

As the journey is all important in education we hope to achieve these stated goals by immersing our students in a culture of :

As our new motto and logo illustrate we are a community which is learning and growing together.

Please visit our website and learn more about our community, campus and curriculum.

Phone: (07) 5453 2444 Fax: (07) 5453 2400 International Prefix (61-7)

General Email: admin@palmwoodss.eq.edu.au The Principal: The.Principal@palmwoodss.eq.edu.au

Palmwoods Primary School Website - Link

Information Will be posted soon!

Palmwoods State School respects a philosophy of friendship and support and strives to create an environment where positive relationships in the school community are preserved through the practice of this fundamental principle. The Palmwoods State School P&C Association invites support from all parents and interested members of our community for the purpose of raising funds for the school and to liase with the school on many levels. Through these positive associations, a stronger community is nurtured helping Palmwoods to generate a great future.

Palmwoods State School P&C Association meets every Third Tuesday of each month in the Kids Club (After School Hours Care Building) at 7.30 pm – All Welcome!

Click Here to Access the Palmwoods State School Website (P & C Section)

Palmwoods Arts & Crafts Group Inc.

Contact Info  -  When do we meet

The Palmwoods Arts & Crafts Group Inc. now has a gallery up & running at its headquarters at the Palmwoods Bowls Club. It is open every Tuesday morning from 9:00am till Noon. A variety of articles for sale are hand made by members of the group. INTERESTED? Call in & be welcomed by members participating in the craft of the day. Browse at your leisure & enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee.

The first meeting was held at the home of Rose McNamara. (her home was the original Palmwoods Hospital where many local residents were born). On the 11th February 1992 fourteen residents signed on for membership. By the end of the year this number had increased to twenty. For a brief period the group met in the hall at the rear of the Anglican Church. In March 1993 activities were moved to the home of Lillian Rice in Old Bowling Green road, remaining there until January 05. Now with more than fifty members, the group has relocated its headquarters to the old section of the Palmwoods Bowls Club.

A colourful collection of craft items for sale was on display at the Family Fun Day (organised by Palmwoods Progress Asson.) in Federation Park.

  

Lillian is updating the Group Album at Scrapbooking workshops

Group classes / workshops are to be held between 9 & 5 pm on weekdays except for Third Wednesday mornings of each month when a General Meeting is held. The A.G.M is in February. Activities include patchwork, embroidery & associated handcrafts which are popular with sewing enthusiasts.

Folk art, China Painting, Fabric Art, Calligraphy and Drawing all attract their followers, while the addition of Scrapbooking is a bonus for members wishing to set up Photo Albums. Several members participate in more than one of the above crafts.

 

Patchwork has the largest following, with many differing projects being undertaken

Several members enjoy the China Painting lessons

2007

Yearly:

Monthly:

Special workshops in a variety of arts and crafts will be organized throughout the year. Non-refundable deposits of 25% of workshop fees must be paid on application, and full payment made at least one month before the workshop is held. The only time that deposits will be refunded is if a workshop has to be cancelled due to a tutor's inablility to hold same. Certain Arts & Crafts books and equipment are availble to hire to members.

General meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month. Come at 9.30am and enjoy a cuppa and a chat before the meeting commences at 10am at Palmwoods Bowls Club, 1 Nicklin Road, Palmwoods.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER: LILLIAN RICE 5445 0602

PRESIDENT: WENDY MEISENHELTER 5445 9524

SECRETARY: KARYLL BUTLER 5442 1757

TREASURER: JOSIE FRY 5442 2417

Email: palmwoodsacg@yahoo.com

Folk Artists are kept busy painting various designs on items of their choice

Information Will be posted soon!

Information Will be posted soon!

The Palmwoods Branch of the QCWA was formed by a group of women residents in July 1934, with Mrs Ethel Armstrong as President and fees were set at a penny per meeting. The present Hall was originally built as a rest room and Health Clinic for the women and children of the district at a cost of 150 pounds. It was opened by Mr Frank Nicklin MLA on November 27th 1937.

CWA meetings are held on 3rd Thursday of the month. Craft from 9.30 am - meeting 1.00 pm. The hall is available for parties and meetings. For details of hire please phone 07 5478 8056