Biggest Jaca Thursday breakfast

Lynne Mowbray | The Jacaranda spirit was alive and well last Thursday morning in Market Square for the annual Jacaranda Thursday free breakfast, put on by 2GF and The Independent. Crowds were out early this year; turning up for the foggy 6am start. Every year the two media outlets battle it out for the ‘Golden (BBQ) Tongs’ trophy, which is determined by how much money is raised in each teams collection tins at the end of their serving table. Money raised last year went to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with money raised this year going to the nominated charity, Riverside Care. There was a strong community spirit between the two media rivals at this year’s breakfast. Radio 2GF breakfast announcer Richie Williamson had tongs in hand with sweaty brow working hard behind the Independent teams barbie, whilst conducting his live to air coverage of the event. The Independent’s General Manager Ann Mazzitelli and Sales Manager Fran Dowsett also jumped ship, to help out the 2GF team. In summing up the popular community event, radio 2GF manager Paul Covington said that the event was an outstanding success. “It’s been a wonderful morning,” Paul said. “With the (good) weather and the support we’ve had from all our sponsors and ‘The Independent’, this is probably the best Jacaranda (breakfast) on record. “It’s going to be hard to find a winner this year. The (fundraising) tin which Richie was closest to was the fullest for Riverside. “We would like to claim it, but I think that with the way that we’ve all dug in and helped each other out this year, it would have to be a tie. “The crowd numbers appear to be up this year – they were lined up out to Pound Street, at one time, but we managed to get everyone fed this year which was the goal. “A big shout out has to go to Geoff Jones and the crew at Holiday Coast Meats and also to John Bartlett of Bartlett Farms and Mid Coast Eggs, for the extra box of eggs again this year. “We’ve had all our suppliers come on board; Maria and Paul and the crew from Farmer Lous do a fantastic job. Thanks also to Norco Milk, Grafton Hire, Elgas – who provided brand spanking new BBQ’s this year and Woolworths for supplying the Tip Top bread. “We just want to say a huge thank you to the Clarence Valley for coming along and supporting what is our biggest community event of the year,” he said. 2GF and The Independent would like to thank the community for supporting this year’s charity, Riverside Care. And yes, in true Jacaranda spirit The Independent has agreed with 2GF to a tie for the ‘Golden Tong’ trophy this year; however, the competition will be back on next year, for the coveted prize!

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Geoff Jones from Holiday Coast Meats – “At 7.45am we had to put a call in for extra snags. We got another 40kg which took us up to around 200kg all up, which equates to 3000 sausages. That was bigger than last year which was around 160kg. It all worked out well and we got everyone fed. It’s a beautiful day and a good atmosphere and everyone’s in good spirit which is great to see.”

Stats for this year’s Jacaranda Thursday free community breakfast

Holiday Coast Meats (sausages) – 200kg = 3000 sausages

Mid Coast Eggs – 2000 eggs

Farmer Lous – Fresh fruit: 300kg watermelon, 30kg Granny Smith apples, 50kg Pink Lady apples, 20 kg Delicious apples, 35kg oranges, 40kg pears, 150kg bananas (at least 10 boxes) Norco milk – 565 litres of flavoured milk = 1600 bottles Woolworths – Tip Top bread – 250 loaves (50 loaves up on last year) Thanks also to Elgas and Grafton Hire. Thank you to all the businesses and sponsors of the Jacaranda breakfast.