1/27Candidates (L-R) Alanna Goodwin, Mel Roberts, Gemma Buckley, Alisha Bearman and Verginia Nairn for the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Queen Pageant in northern NSW.
Photos: Jacaranda royalty shines through the years
Take a trip down memory lane with our mega photo gallery of Grafton Jacaranda Festival queen and princess candidates.
2/27Candidates for the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Queen try on their custom made capes. (LtR) Alanna Goodwin, Mel Roberts, Gemma Buckley, Alisha Bearman and Verginia Nairn.
3/27Candidates for the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Queen try on their custom made capes. (LtR) Alanna Goodwin, Mel Roberts, Gemma Buckley, Verginia Nairn and Alisha Bearman
4/27Jacaranda Queen Crowning Ceremony at Market Square, Grafton: Festival Manager Maggie Barnewall. Photo: Lynne Mowbray/The Daily Examiner
5/27For Jacaranda Queen candidate Stephanie Elliott where were the crowds and it started raining at her event Violet Vibes Festival at the Grafton racecourse on Saturday night. Photo Debrah Novak / The Daily Examiner
6/27Jacaranda Queen candidates, organisers and supporters gather for the opening of the new Jacaranda Festival HQ in the Saraton Theatre complex on Prince Street, Grafton, Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo: Mitchell Keenan
7/27A previous Jacaranda Festival's official Guest of Honour, Brooke McClymont.
8/27The entire 2021 Jacaranda Festival Royal Party.
9/272021 Junior Jacaranda candidatesMae CarrollMae is proudly sponsored by CHS Training"My favourite part of Jacaranda is watching the scores of visitors come to Grafton and hold their hands out to catch our purple snow. Seeing the delight on their faces as the jacaranda blossoms float down into their palms, I realise the vision Henry Volkers must have had when he planted our beautiful avenues. To be an ambassador for the festival and our town is a great privilege. As a Junior Jacaranda Queen candidate I consider myself a custodian of the festival and look forward to the opportunity to help safeguard its future."
10/272021 Junior Jacaranda candidatesMadeleine SchroderMadeleine is proudly sponsored by South Grafton News & Gifts"Jacaranda is my favourite time of year! Everything about the festival makes me so happy, the beautiful blossoms, the community spirit and all of the amazing events that are held. When I was five I attended my first Children's party and decided as soon as I was old enough I wanted to be a Junior Jacaranda Queen candidate."
11/272021 Junior Jacaranda candidatesLaura HoadeLaura is proudly sponsored by Red Hot Hair"The Jacaranda Festival is one of my favourite times of the year! I love participating in the community events, such as Jacaranda Thursday and the Venetian Carnival.I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet new people and beingan ambassador for the festival this year. I am also excited for The Caringa Ball!"
12/272021 Junior Jacaranda candidatesChelsea Rose GosperChelsea Rose is proudly sponsored by Civic Motel"I love Jacaranda time! Since I was a little girl growing up in Grafton, my family has always attended the Jacaranda festival. In 2019 I went to the Queen Crowning and it really warmed my heart knowing that I could be a part of this tradition and make all my dreams come true. I am looking forward to attending the Caringa Ball and excited to see all the beautiful dresses, I will feel like a princess!"
13/272021 Junior Jacaranda candidatesBrooke ChapmanBrooke is proudly sponsored by Farrell McCrohon Stock and Station Agents"I love the unique history of The Jacaranda Festival, the hype and excitement it brings. Wonderful Jacaranda stories shared and many memories made. My favourite Jacaranda memory is the sense of community that arrives each year alongside the beautiful, blossoming trees and the smiling waving Queens. I am ecstatic to be a Junior Queen Candidate!"
14/272021 Junior Jacaranda candidatesAmity StevensonAmity is proudly sponsored by St. Andrews Christian School"I really like Jacaranda because of all the different types of celebrations that happen around our town during the Festival. I am looking forward to fundraising throughout the year and joining in all of the Jacaranda week activities with the other Junior Queen candidates"
15/272016 Jacaranda candidates Sharni Wren, Heidi Madsen and Shannon Carter in front of the lit up Jacaranda Crown that was placed on top of the clock tower in preparation for the festival.
16/272016 Jacaranda candidates Sharni Wren, Heidi Madsen and Shannon Carter in front of the lit up Jacaranda Crown that was placed on top of the clock tower in preparation for the festival.
17/27Jacaranda Queen candidates, organisers and supporters gather for the opening of the new Jacaranda Festival HQ in the Saraton Theatre complex on Prince Street, Grafton, Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo: Mitchell Keenan
18/27Jacaranda Queen candidates, organisers and supporters gather for the opening of the new Jacaranda Festival HQ in the Saraton Theatre complex on Prince Street, Grafton, Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo: Mitchell Keenan
19/272020 Jacaranda Festival Matron of Honour Enid McKew with the junior candidates.
20/272020 Jacaranda Festival Matron of Honour Enid McKew.
21/27Scenes from the National Australian Film Archive video of the Jacaranda Festival in 1949.
22/27Esther Smith takes a look at the Jacaranda festival kewpie doll in Market Square.
23/27Esther Smith before the first Jacaranda festival in 1935.
24/27Jacaranda festival time again.
25/27ROYALTY: Grafton head librarian Katrina Shillam and jacaranda festival president Jeff Smith admire the Jacaranda queens of the past.
26/27Crowning the Jacaranda Queen during annual Jacaranda Festival in Grafton on north coast of NSW in 1962.
27/27PM in Gafton.John Howard buying a raffle ticket of Grafton Jacaranda Festival Queen Candidate Emma Cornford.PIC BILL COUNSELL.
North Coast councils shake hands on new water supply deal
It’s been 20 years since the City of Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley Council agreed to a water supply arrangement. Now, they’ve struck a new deal after a year of negotiations.
Read more
‘Nightmare’: Family shattered after forensics confirm worst fears
An autopsy on remains found in the Byron hinterland has confirmed the death of a Mullumbimby man reported missing months ago. Family want to fly Gage home for a “beautiful celebration of his life”.
Read more