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.

Maypole dancing in Market Square

Photo by The Daily Examiner

Inaugurated in 1934, 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.

Some the zany fun of Jacaranda Thursday with live performances in the main street.

Jacaranda tree in bloom. Photo by John Warrell.

2009 Festival Guest of Honour, Mike Dougherty

The Festival Guest of Honour for 2009 is Mike Dougherty.

Born at Grafton's Runnymede Hospital in 1946, Mike then went home to 85 Prince St where he lived above his fathers shop - Dougherty Bros Menswear. Except for going to Woodlawn College and working away with the Commonwealth Bank and AGC, he has lived or worked within a block of Prince St for 50 years!

Mike's earliest memories of the Jacaranda Festival come from looking over the balcony above the shop and watching the floats and festivities.

Mike is married to Robyn and they have four sons who all went to school in Grafton. Chris and Brett work in Grafton, Andrew in Ballina and Ben in Brisbane. They have six grandchildren.

Over the years Mike has been involved in Grafton Rowing Club as Secretary, Yamba Surf Club as President and St Josephs Children's Home as a member of the Board. He has also been involved in horse racing as an owner, trainer and bookmaker.

One of Mike's greatest satisfactions was being able to come back to Grafton in 1972 as Westlawn's sole employee and see it grow to some 80 employees. This came about from people who work there today and have worked there over the years through their enthusiasm and loyalty as well as customer loyalty, providing a significant contribution to the Clarence Valley economy.

Mike stated that Grafton is fortunate to have the Jacaranda Festival - this can be attributed to the Committee of the Jacaranda Society both past and present.

Mike has been lucky to have seen Jacaranda from child to teenager to adult and has enjoyed it all and hopes it gets stronger for future generations. He said it is indeed an honour and he appreciates being chosen as guest of honour. Mike would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe Jacaranda.

See Park in Pound Street. Photo by Stacey Turner.

2009 Festival Celebrity Guest, Brent Livermore

The Festival Celebrity Guest for 2009 is Brent Livermore OAM.

"It is an honour and privilege to be part of the Jacaranda Festival and the 75th Year Celebrations. Tradition and History is important. Lets all cherish, enjoy and embrace the festival and the beautiful Clarence Valley"

Brent will be a special guest of the Festival, with appearances at the Jacaranda Ball (Fri. 30th October) and the Queen Crowning Ceremony (Sat. 31st October).

Brent was born in Grafton on 5th July 1976. At the age of 13 years, he started playing hockey and when 15 years old he was chosen to represent New South Wales at the Australian Championships. 1992, aged 16 years, he gained his first selection in the Australian Team at the National Championships.

In 1996 he was chosen for the Australian under 20's team to tour Europe. In 1997 as Captain of this team, Australia won the Junior World Cup and Brent was selected as Captain of the World Team. In the same year he played his first International Senior Cap in Pakistan in front of 50,000 strong supporters.

Late in 1997 Brent's sporting development was hampered by an operation on the vascular system in his legs but was back playing playing hockey in 1998. His focus and goal was to become a permanent member of the Australian Senior Team and to represent Australia at the Olympic Games in 2000. In the lead up to the Olympic Games, Brent represented Australia in all the Senior Tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and Commonwealth Games.

In 2000 he gained selection in the Australian Team to play in the Olympic Games in Sydney. After the Olympics, it was time to look towards Athens 2004. During the 2001 season, Brent was named Australian International Player of the Year. In 2002, as Vice Captain of the Australian Team, we competed in the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur where we gained a silver medal.

To this day, the Athens Olympics in 2004 was the greatest sporting moment of his life. Brent says that defeating the Netherlands in the Gold medal game in front of thousands of parochial Australian fans was truly amazing.

2008 Jacaranda Queen's Party.

2008 Jacaranda Queen Verginia Nairn at the Queen Crowning

Photos by Frank Rasborseck

2008 Junior Queen Chloe Hackett

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