Emma Pritchard

The 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival commenced with a spirited celebration of the local Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung communities at the River Dreaming Festival in Market Square, Grafton, on October 28.

First held in 2019, the event provided Clarence Valley residents and visitors to the region with a unique opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures while listening to music and watching traditional dancing.

As proud Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung elders Auntie Jannay Daley, Auntie Nita Taylor and Auntie Beatrice Heron performed a traditional welcome to country, they spoke passionately about the ambience of the occasion and the significance of the event, and agreed it was a special time for all communities who call the Clarence Valley home to come together as one.

“We are here, and we can learn a lot from each other,” Auntie Jannay said to the crowd.

“You can learn about our culture and learn things you may not have known about.

“We are all proud to be here together.”

Organisers Dean Loadsman, Darren Kershaw and Joanne Randall, along with MC Lachlan Skinner, said they were honoured for the River Dreaming Festival to officially open the 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival.

International visitors Tomas Wu and Min Bingji from Hong Kong said they were excited to learn about the local Indigenous culture during their visit to the Clarence Valley.

Describing themselves as very impressed by the performances of the Wajaar Ngaarul Traditional Dance Group and the Berrinbah Traditional Dance Group, who were joined on stage by Nathan Brennan, Mr Wu and Ms Bingji said they felt very proud and happy to be in Grafton during the jacaranda season.

“We were sad we were not able to come last year,” Ms Bingji said.

“But we’re very pleased we could come this year.

“We’ve loved watching the Indigenous performances and we feel like we have learned more about the Indigenous ways and customs from being at the festival.”