Emma Pritchard

Amidst the excitement, drinks were proudly raised and cheerfully clinked together as attendees at the Grafton Chamber of Commerce Spring Gala Business Awards united to celebrate the success and recent achievements of small local businesses and members of the chamber throughout the region.

Nominated by executive teams from the Grafton Chamber of Commerce across five categories: Logie Award, Visionary Award, Strength-to-Strength Award, Pay it Forward Award, and the Social Butterfly Award, local businesses including Clarence Valley Council (CVC), Saraton Theatre, Grafton District Meals on Wheels, Clarence Valley Anglican School, and the Clarence Valley Independent, were recognised for their outstanding ability and adaptivity to expand, advertise, and promote their services, along with their many significant contributions to the Clarence Valley community.

There were plenty of cheers when Grafton’s Toast Espresso won the Logie Award for their widely loved and admired personality and popularity, which has earned them a loyal following with locals and visitors to the area. 

The Social Butterfly Award was presented to CVC in recognition of their strong social media presence and online advertising structure.   

Established Grafton business Buckley’s Music Group won the Strength-to-Strength Award for their adaptability while transforming the business into one of the region’s finest musical instrument stores.

The celebrations continued when Grafton District Meals on Wheels won the Pay It Forward Award for their ongoing support and dedicated service to residents throughout the Clarence Valley.

After announcing the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival would be progressing as a gender-neutral event for the first time earlier this year, the Jacaranda Festival Committee were presented with the Visionary Award.

During his acceptance speech, Jacaranda Festival Manager Mark Blackadder said it was a thrill to take the award home.

“We’ve made a lot of changes, but we’re certainly moving forward in the right direction to make this festival one of the biggest events and most celebrated festivals in Australia,” he said.

President of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce Natasha Watkinson said the night was an amazing success, and credited Vice President Justin James for his extraordinary vision and coordination in enabling the event to succeed.

“It’s been amazing to celebrate our small local businesses, and it’s given people a great reason to come back together again,” she said happily.