The world-renowned Jacaranda Festival is held yearly in Grafton, Northern Rivers New South Wales, from the last weekend in October to the first weekend in November.

In 2009 the festival officially starts on Friday, October 30th and concludes on Sunday, 8th November.

Inaugurated in 1935, this was the first of Australia's folk festivals and is based upon the magnificent spectacle of the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees which grow in Grafton's broad tree lined avenues.

It expresses the people's thanksgiving for the generosity with which nature blesses this part of the globe.

Maypole Dancing in Market Square

(photo courtesy of The Daily Examiner)

Festival Guest of Honour, Shirley Adams OAM.

Turf Street in bloom

It is with great pleasure that the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Committee Introduce our 2008 Guest of Honour Mrs Shirley Adams OAM.

Shirley has such a contagious community spirit and pride and she has achieved so much for our beautiful Jacaranda City, both personally and professionally, a career spanning some 37 years.

Shirley is married to John, and they have two children Verginia and Simon and four adorable grandchildren.

Shirley has had a very distinguished life including roles as Alderman, Councillor, and was the first and only female Mayor of Grafton City Council. Shirley was also the first Deputy Mayor for Clarence Valley Council and served in this position for two terms. She was also the first lady chair of the Country Mayors Association of NSW, and the only Local Government Representative appointed to the Federal Governments Board of the Constitutional Centenary Foundation, a role she fulfilled for 4 years. Deservingly so Shirley was awarded in 1989 the Order of Australia Medal, for her devoted services to the community, particularly her association with the Girl Guides and Local Government.

In 1952 Shirley was awarded the highest honour that the Jacaranda Festival can bestow upon a young lady of the city, and was crowned Queen of the Jacarandas. See History page for more information.

Shirley's most recent community projects are chair of the GBH Community Committee and Chair of the 150th Sesqui centenary anniversary celebrations, of the proclamation of Local Government in Grafton.

This year as Shirley has accepted the title and role of Guest of Honour, we look forward to contributing furthermore with new memories to her existing honorary Jacaranda canvas.

Congratulations Shirley.

(Left to right) 2007 Jacaranda Queen Sarah Templeton with Danielle Bower, Briony Hubbard and Karen Fernando.

Who will be the 2009 Jacaranda Queen? Check out the Queen Candidates section and see who was involved in 2008.

Bring the family along on Saturday 31st October for the Jacaranda Queen Crowning Ceremony in Market Square.

For more information on what's on and where during the festival check out our Events page or download the Festival Preliminary Guide (below)

2007 Matron of Honour Narelle Rasborseck with Jacaranda Queen Sarah Templeton, Danielle Bower, Briony Hubbard and Karen Fernando in See Park - copyright to Frank Rasborseck

[click image for larger version]

2007 Jacaranda Queen, Sarah Templeton

2007 Junior Queen Kirsten Knox (left) & Junior Princess Ashlee Jarvis

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