2022 Grafton Jacaranda festival queen nominees stories and journeys

The 2022 Jacaranda queen candidates reveal their unique motivation for representing the Grafton community. Read their stories.

The 2022 Grafton Jacaranda festival is in full swing, with four keen contestants vying for the role of Jacaranda Queen.

The winner has previously been titled the “Queen”, however a bid to make the honour more inclusive will mean the holder will be able to adopt whichever title they see fit.

The queen is selected on a range of criteria, including public speaking, community presence and volunteering efforts.

Reigning queen Hanna Craig was motivated for the position after experiencing bullying at school and said she saw it as “an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone”.

“I was told I was never going to be anything but I’d always wanted to be a Jacaranda Queen, being born and bred in Grafton,” Ms Craig said.

Trinity Gutteridge

At just 18, Trinity Gutteridge is aiming to be a role model for younger women in the Clarence community.

Grafton through and through, Ms Gutteridge embraced the festival for years growing up, but never dreamed she’d be given the opportunity to represent a group that are often suppressed.

“I grew up in a financially unstable home and never went to a fancy school so I thought your average young Grafton girl couldn't do it,” Ms Gutteridge said.

At just 18, Trinity Gutteridge said she would love to be a voice for younger women in the Clarence community.

She is passionate toward the community, which she said is welcoming to all.

“I’d love to prove to younger people that their circumstances don’t dictate what they can do,” she said.

Now a second year apprentice hairdresser, her career allows her to engage with a range of community members.

“I see a lot of the same faces every day and love that I can get my coffee and say hello to all the different people on Prince street,” Ms Gutteridge said.

Inside Grafton Jacaranda Festival queens and princesses | Photo Gallery

Amanda Daffey

Amanda Daffey, 24, pushed through a long and challenging journey to get where she is today.

Ms Daffey grew up in the area before moving to Brisbane, where she was forced to leave home and move back as a 16-year-old.

“I worked three jobs while I finished year 10,” Ms Daffey said.

Aspiring to be a doctor at the time, Daffey was persistent despite needing to quickly mature.

By 19, she was pregnant but said moving out and being independent at such a young age prepared her for this.

“If I was still living at home until I was 18, I wouldn’t have been ready,” she said.

Amanda Daffey, 24 with her son, have had a long journey to get to where they are today.

Undertaking a nursing degree while pregnant meant she is able to relate to the challenges faced by single mothers in the region.

Now managing a youth program, she works with local schools such as South Grafton High and Maclean High to educate and counsel youth having a difficult time.

“I can relate to younger people, knowing I wouldn't be where I am without the challenges I went through,” Ms Daffey said.

Aspiring to work in youth mental health care, Ms Daffey hopes she can represent younger people who she believes are often suppressed in the region.

“I'm passionate about young people and I want our community to be safe for our youth. It’s not the easiest place for young kids,” she said.

Ms Daffey said giving young people a voice is something she aims to push for.

Kellie-Anne Goodwin

Ms Goodwin, 31, lives with a disability and is using this unique opportunity to give something back to a community she loves so dearly, while representing the disabled community.

Kellie-anne Goodwin lives with a disability and is using this unique opportunity to give something back to the Grafton community.

Having attended the festival her entire life as a Grafton local, she hopes to encourage others to get involved.

Eva Miller

Eva Miller, 22, said she owes a lot to the Grafton community.

A member of the LGBTQI+ community, Ms Miller said she was fortunate to be surrounded by love and acceptance when she came out.

“I was lucky to have support from family and friends, it can be difficult for young people in a small town - and I feared it too,” Ms Miller said.

Her goal is to spread the message that support is available within the community.

Eva Miller is a lover of theatre and hopes to push for inclusivity.

A theatre lover her whole life and now working full time as a childhood educator, Ms Miller loves engaging with the town and hopes to connect to the wider community through her nomination.

“If crowned, I want to promote inclusivity and encourage everyone to get involved,” she said.

Ms Miller said Hanna Craig has been an “amazing and inspiring” queen.

“I’d have big shoes to fill,” she said.

The winner will be announced on Saturday night and The Daily Examiner will provide coverage of the event.