Emma Pritchard
With her nomination form firmly in her grasp, Harmony Swain-Davies is excited to be a 2025 Jacaranda candidate.
The bubbly 21-year-old from Grafton told the Clarence Valley Independent she was “pretty intrigued” to be part of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival this year, and after attending a Jacaranda Candidate and Sponsor’s Information Night at the Grafton District Services Club (GDSC) on February 19, said it felt very special to make her candidacy official.
“I’ve grown up in the Clarence Valley, it’s my home, and to have the opportunity to be more involved within my local community (as a 2025 Jacaranda candidate) means a lot to me,” she said.
Hosted by the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Committee, the event welcomed more than 40 attendees last week, including other hopeful 2025 Jacaranda candidates, Junior Jacaranda candidates, Matron of Honour nominees, and local business representatives.
As members of the 2024 Jacaranda Royal Party spoke of the many roles and responsibilities expected of Jacaranda and Junior Jacaranda candidates and their sponsors, the compassionate mentorship of the Matron of Honour, and the importance of community engagement and fundraising events, they also shared some of their favourite memories from their own unique Jacaranda journeys.
Describing the last 12 months as a phenomenal experience, 2024 Jacaranda Queen Alice Jabour said being a Jacaranda candidate allowed her to step outside of her comfort zone, grow in more ways than she could have imagined, and learn more about her local community.
“To anyone thinking about doing it (nominating), you absolutely should,” she said.
“The Grafton Jacaranda Festival brings everyone together and its amazing to see so much happiness and love during such an uplifting time for our community.”
2024 Junior Jacaranda Queen Isabella Roughley, a proud Barkindj girl, said being a Junior Jacaranda candidate was a great opportunity for her to build her self-esteem and self-confidence, strengthen her public speaking skills, and make new friends.
“The Grafton Jacaranda Festival is amazing, and the committee do such an incredible job behind the scenes as well,” she said.
Jeremy Jablonski, whose business Jempire Events proudly sponsored 2024 Jacaranda Princess Imogen Jablonski throughout her candidacy last year, said sponsoring a candidate allows local businesses to come full circle.
“You’re raising money for this amazing festival which benefits the economic status of the whole area,” he said.
President of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Committee Amanda Brotherson said it was great to welcome so many attendees to the event last week.
She is encouraging anyone interested in nominating to contact the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Committee at info@jacarandafestival.com or visit their Facebook page.
Nominations are open for Jacaranda candidates aged between 18 and 30, and Junior Jacaranda candidates aged between 12 and 14.
All candidates will be able to choose their own title including Queen, King or Ambassador, should they receive the honour of being crowned in 2025.
Ms Swain-Davies told the Clarence Valley Independent she would like to assume the title of Queen if she is crowned during the 2025 Grafton Jacaranda Festival.
At the time of publication, a closure date for nominations was still being organised.
Further updates will be published in upcoming editions of the Clarence Valley Independent.