Candidates arranged in order of ballot. Photos taken by The Daily Examiner.

Summer Jones Summer is a talented athlete who participates in running, hockey and rowing. Summer is 14 years old and hopes to be more involved in the festival. Summer also enjoys singing and acting. She attends Grafton High School and is the daughter of Cathy Warren.	Jaime-Lee Brown Jamie attends Westlawn Primary School and is the daughter of Erica Brown. Jaimie-Lee enjoys playing squash and going to the beach. Jaimie-Lee has always wanted to participate in the festival and one day wants to be a Jacaranda Queen.	Brooke Townsend Brooke is 13 years old and is a student of South Grafton High School. Brooke enjoys having fun with her friends, and is the daughter of Wendy Scott from Minnie Waters.	Kaitlin Barrell Kaitlin attends Clarence Valley Anglican School and is the daughter of Kim Thompson and Murray Barrell. Kaitlin is a talented athlete who enjoys cross country, hockey and touch football. Kaitlin hopes to contribute to our community and meet new people.	Chelsea Cameron Chelsea is 14 years old, the daughter of Jenny and Wayne Cameron. Chelsea attends Grafton High School and enjoys playing hockey. Chelsea is hoping to meet new people through her Jacaranda experience.
Micaela Burgess Micaela is 14 years old and is a talented netball and hockey player. Micaela attends Clarence Valley Anglican School. Micaela enjoys making jewellery and is the daughter of Penelope and Neil Burgess.	Ashleigh O'Connor Ashleigh is a 14 year old student of Clarence Valley Anglican School, and she enjoys wake-boarding and netball. Ashleigh was the Jacaranda flower girl in 2000, and is the daughter of Jody and Paul O'Connor.	Krystal Stoker Krystal attends South Grafton High School is 14 years of age. Krystal enjoys shopping, swimming and scrapbooking. Krystal has entered the competition to challenge herself and hopes to meet new friends.	Kristen Cotten Kristin is a confident young woman who is looking forward to raising money for her community. Kristen is 14 years old and attends South Grafton High School. Kristen is the daughter of Helen Shelton and Marvin Cotton.	Bethany Tanner Bethany is 14 years old and attends McAuley Catholic College. Bethany enjoys dancing, craft and cooking. Bethany hopes to learn more about our town and make new friends. Bethany is the daughter of Fiona Stone.

In the mid nineties, the Jacaranda Committee at the time thought that the festival was losing the interest of the younger population of Grafton and looked for something which might generate a bit of interest from the teenagers.

As a result, the Junior Jacaranda Queen Quest was born, and it has been a popular and successful addition to the Jacaranda Festival ever since.

The first Junior Jacaranda Queen Quest was held in 1997 with 10 entrants. In the following years, the Junior Quest drew increasing numbers of candidates. In 2001, there were 17 junior candidates and since then the Junior Committee have restricted the numbers each year to either 12 or 14.

In 2009 we have 10 beautiful young ladies vying for the titles of Junior Jacaranda Queen and Junior Jacaranda Princess, to be announced during the Queen Crowning Ceremony in Market Square on Saturday, 31st October.

Each of the candidates has been involved in a number of functions leading up to the Festival. Since June, the candidates have been secretly judged by 3 local judges whilst in attendance at various fundraising functions, in particular a new event in

2009 the Masquerade Dinner where the ladies were required to make a mask for the evening and give a 3-minute presentation speech, concluding with something of importance that has happened in the Clarence Valley over the last 150 years.

The Junior Candidates have been actively fundraising, (raising money for the festival as a group) by hosting and participating in a Trivia Night, Krispy Creme Donut sales, Disco Ten Pin Bowling, Fashion Parade, Masquerade Dinner and selling raffle tickets in the major raffle Purple Haze (rocking horse). A cheque representing all monies jointly raised will be presented to the Festival President at the Queen Crowning ceremony.

Quest directors, Marie-Louise Howe and Kelly Ensbey (in their first year as directors of this event) have done a wonderful job preparing the candidates in public speaking, etiquette, deportment and social skills. The Junior Queen Candidate Quest this year also established a buddy system/mentorship program with the Senior Candidates. For each young lady, the Junior Jacaranda Quest is a journey of special memories, of making new friends and of personal self development and growth.

Thank you to the many business houses that have supported this event, the families and friends of candidates and the generous local community for your attendance at Junior Jacaranda functions. The community spirit and support for Jacaranda has been amazing.

The Junior Jacaranda Queen will receive a $250 accommodation voucher at Sea World Nara Resort and a savings account of $100.00 from the Bendigo Bank South Grafton.

The Junior Jacaranda Princess will receive Two Nights Accommodation at the Solitary Islands Marine Park Wooli with complimentary Canoe Hire and Putt Putt Golf, and a savings account of $75.00 from the Bendigo Bank South Grafton.

All candidates receive a $50 savings account with the Bendigo Bank South Grafton, along with a beautiful prize package with compliments of our valued sponsors Pollacks Pharmacy, Nutrimetics, Pink Petals Florist, Twisted Scissors, The Coffee Club and The Grafton Gem Club.

Special thanks to the Major sponsors of the quest, Bendigo Bank South Grafton, Dr Chris Van Vuuren Orthodontist, The Daily Examiner, Radio 2GF and FM 104.7.

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