Jacaranda Queen Float in the Grand Float Procession (2007)

You have embarked on a wonderful opportunity and are now representatives of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Committee Inc. & the Clarence Valley Community.

The Jacaranda Queen Crowning at Market Square (2007)

The Jacaranda Festival is the oldest floral festival in Australia and your commitment and willingness to partake as a candidate will be acknowledged forever in the history of the "74th Jacaranda Festival 2008".

Photo by The Daily Examiner

JANETTE BLAIR

Mrs Janette Blair (nee Alford) has been selected as the 2008 Matron of Honour. It is a befitting acknowledgement that Mrs Blair fulfils this role in 2008, as it is her own 30th Anniversary having been crowned the 1978 Jacaranda Queen.

Mrs Blair first became involved in Jacaranda at a very early age dancing in the schools display and then during her working years (in a local pharmacy and then later owning her own business) participating in Jacaranda Thursday dress-up frivolities and the shop windows display.

Mrs Blair served 5 years as a Jacaranda committee member from (1979 to 1984).

She is a life member of the Demons Hockey Club (having played with the club for 35 years), has undertaken coaching roles, she has a State "A" umpiring badge and has proud achievements winning a Gold Medal as a representative of the Grafton Women's Hockey Association over 45's NSW State Team at the Australian Championships in Perth.

Mrs Blair is also a member of the South Grafton ex-Servicemen's Bowling Club and is a very proficient Grafton Golf Club player. In her spare time she enjoys fishing, and breeding and racing horses with her husband David. Mrs Blair says she has always looked forward to the Jacaranda Festival and to be nominated as 2008 Matron of Honour is a great personal privilege.

To look back on Janette's time as Jacaranda Queen in 1978 check out our History page.

Photo by The Daily Examiner

ALISHA BEAMAN

Alisha, 21, is a receptionist with local solicitors McNamara James & O'Connor. Alisha attended Ulmarra Primary and South Grafton High Schools. Alisha enjoys netball, photography and travel, and she is also a Mary Kay Consultant.

Alisha's ambitions are to succeed in life, and says she is "looking forward to a great journey as a Jacaranda Queen Candidate".

Alisha is sponsored by:

52 Victoria Street   Ph: 6642 2044

Photo by The Daily Examiner

GEMMA BUCKLEY

Gemma 20, is part time Pharmacy Assistant with Guardian Southside Pharmacy and is also studying at university to fulfill her ambition to become a school teacher. Gemma attended Gillwinga Primary and South Grafton High Schools. Gemma enjoys various sports netball, basketball, rowing, swimming, and hockey.

She likes walking her dog, reading, shopping, and going to the beach. Gemma says she is "very excited to be involved in this competition, to represent my town and community", she is also looking forward to meeting new people.

Gemma is sponsored by:

Click on logo to visit sponsor's website

Photo by The Daily Examiner

ALANNA GOODWIN

Alanna 19, is employed by Bunnings Warehouse Grafton in Selling and Support departments. Alanna attended school at St Andrews Christian Community College Alanna plays basketball, netball, cricket and loves horse riding.

She enjoys walking, music, movies camping, swimming, spending time with her friends and being involved in community events.

Alanna's ambitions are to one day own her own business, travel, and write a novel. Alanna says she "enjoys life and the experiences it will bring".

Alanna is sponsored by:

Click on logo to visit sponsor's website

Photo by The Daily Examiner

VERGINIA NAIRN

Verginia, 26, is a receptionist with APS Personnel. Verginia attended Goondiwindi Sate High School and loves playing Netball. Verginia enjoys walking on the beach and in the bush, seeing all there is to see in the Clarence and living life to its fullest. Her ambitions are to be the best that she can be in whatever she puts her mind to.

Verginia says that "since moving to the Clarence Valley I have found the place where I will spend the rest of my life".

Verginia is sponsored by:

Prince Street, Grafton

Photo by The Daily Examiner

MEL ROBERTS

Mel, 21, is an Administration Officer with Origin Communication. Mel has been a resident of the Clarence Valley since Christmas 2005 and attended South Lismore Public and Kooringal High School in Wagga Wagga.

For fun Mel likes netball, going to the beach and fishing, but it is really rugby league she is most passionate about and is proudly sponsored by the Grafton Rhinos Rugby League Football Club.

Mel is sponsored by:

Photo by The Daily Examiner

ELIZE STRYDOM

Elize, 25, is a broadcast journalist with Radio 2GF & FM104.7. Elize Attended Gillwinga Public School, McAuley Catholic College & Woolgoolga High (Year 12) Schools.

Elize enjoys spending time with her loved ones, all aspects of fitness (aerobics, running and surfing), live music and photography.

Elize has ambitions to one day write her honours thesis and become an Academic lecturing in Media. After growing up in Grafton then moving away to study and travel, Elize says she is "very excited to be home and a part of jacaranda 2008".

Elize is sponsored by:

Click on logo to visit sponsor's website

Accepting a nomination to become a Jacaranda Queen Candidate is a lifetime opportunity and great community honour. The Jacaranda Festival can only continue to survive as a self funded not for profit community organization from the funds raised by our valued candidates.

Candidates are encouraged to head and form a small fundraising committee, where they plan and network in preparation for "social events".

Holding "social events" provides the community with entertainment and the opportunity to meet and support the candidates. For most candidates fundraising is an introduction into the world of operating a small business.

Candidates learn to interact and negotiate with their sponsors, local business and the community. On completion of fundraising, funds raised by candidates are handed over to the Jacaranda Committee (debt free) and these funds contribute toward the overall running costs of the next years Jacaranda Festival.

Candidates prepare in practices that include formal etiquette, deportment and public speaking. The Queen Crowning Director meets once a week with candidates from mid August in preparation for special upcoming events such as the Jacaranda Ball, Judges Luncheon, Prestigious Queen Crowning Ceremony and the official Jacaranda Week (the Jacaranda Party are invited annually to more than 40 community functions) Sunday 26th October to Sunday 2nd November.

Black Toyota loan a vehicle to the Festival for the "Jacaranda Week" and the Queens Party is escorted from function to function. This has been an ongoing Jacaranda tradition and supported by the local Toyota dealership for many years.
 

The Jacaranda Queen competition is not a beauty quest. The Jacaranda Queen and Jacaranda Princess are chosen on their suitability as representatives for the Clarence Valley and the City of Grafton. The Queen and Princess are chosen by a panel of judges, and are awarded points for deportment, etiquette, personality, dress sense, grooming, and general knowledge. The ladies are initially judged at an informal luncheon on the day of the Queen Crowning Ceremony. During the evening crowning ceremony, the ladies are then awarded points for their speech and presentation. There is also the distinguished honour of Jacaranda Holiday Princess, who is the candidate that raises the most money (other than the elected Queen and Princess).

Major sponsors of the Senior Candidates include Casella Wines (Yellow Tail), Black Toyota, Bendigo Bank, The Colonial of Norfolk Island, Pine Tree Tours (Norfolk Island), Grafton Travel, and the Gumtree Retreat.

Click on logos to visit sponsor websites

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