Lynne Mowbray Charlotte White 23, has joined the Jacaranda Festival Queen candidate list. Charlotte was born in Wollongong and moved to Grafton after a family holiday to Queensland. “We were staying with family at Minnie Waters on our way home from Queensland,” said Charlotte. “My parents had to go into Grafton to buy a few bits and pieces and unbeknown to them, it just happened to be the one day of the year that Grafton shuts down and everything gets a bit purple – Jacaranda Thursday.” “Several hours later mum returned and exclaimed; ‘We are moving to Grafton,’ and I haven’t left since.” Charlotte finished her schooling at McAuley Catholic College and went on to study Business in Coffs Harbour. She now works for Westpac Banking Corporation as a personal banker in Grafton, who have generously agreed to sponsor her 2015 Jacaranda Queen candidacy. In her spare time she enjoys getting involved in her face painting and children’s entertainment business, which she runs with her younger sister Berni. Her other hobbies include painting, sculpting and sewing. Charlotte makes most of her own clothes as she is very much into Retro 50’s fashion. Charlotte has a busy year ahead of her not only with her involvement in the Jacaranda events but she is planning her dream 50’s Pin Up wedding to fiancé Benjamin Hanson. According to Charlotte, her fiancé is very supportive of her decision to be part of this year’s Jacaranda Festival and even agreed to change their engagement party which was already booked on the night of the Jacaranda Queen crowning. Charlotte said that she has always loved Jacaranda and last year she had the opportunity to get involved. “My sister Berni was a Junior Queen candidate and my friend and colleague Stephanie Elliot was a Jacaranda Queen candidate,” she said. “We had a great time planning and organising fundraisers and going to all the events.”