2010 Jacaranda Queen winner, Kirrily Tough.

Photo: The Daily Examiner.

Photo: The Daily Examiner.

2011 Jacaranda Queen Candidates

The Jacaranda Queen and Princess are chosen on their suitability to represent the Clarence Valley and the City of Grafton. A panel of judges awards points to candidates for community spirit, etiquette, communication skills, general knowledge, personal presentation and personality.

Five candidates are aspiring to be crowned 2011 Jacaranda Queen at the spectacular Queen Crowning Ceremony on Saturday 29 October, sponsored by Westlawn Finance and Gold Coast Tourism.

For six months leading up to the Festival, supported by their sponsors, candidates have been working in the community by representing the Jacaranda Festival and managing a packed calendar of fundraising activities.

This year's winners will each be rewarded with a holiday sponsored by Gold Coast Tourism staying at Mantra Sun City and Mantra Legends Resort on the Gold Coast.

The 2011 Jacaranda Queen will receive a diamond pendant from Harvey's Jewellers and all candidates will receive a Bendigo Bank account.

The three prestigious titles to be awarded are Jacaranda Queen and Jacaranda Princess with the Jacaranda Holiday Princess title awarded to the candidate who raises the most funds.

Funds raised this year will contribute to the cost of staging the 2012 Jacaranda Festival.
 

(in alphabetical order)

Lisa Hunter

Natasha Lentfer

Nicole Mackie

Gemma Moore

Click on the Candidate's name above to view her profile,

fundraising events and

sponsors.

All candidate photos are courtesy of The Daily Examiner.

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).

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 solely awarded this title as the candidate that raises the most money (other than the elected Queen and Princess) for the festival.