Candidates arranged in order of ballot. Photos taken by The Daily Examiner.
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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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(c) 2009 All images & text copyright. They cannot be reproduced, copied or altered without express permission. |
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