Emma Pritchard
As the beautiful vocals of powerhouse performers Jessica Mauboy, Dami Im, and Jem Cassar-Daley filtered through Market Square on January 28, more than 5000 adoring fans gathered together to enjoy the free concert, with many agreeing it was one of the best events to be held in Grafton in recent years.
Funded by the NSW Government’s $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program in partnership with the support of Clarence Valley Council (CVC), Groove on the Grass was described as “phenomenal”, “awesome”, and “totally amazing,” by several attendees who wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to see some of the country’s most popular artists perform live in their local area.
Alongside outstanding performances by the Bundjalung Cultural Experience Dancers, Lennox Monaghan, and a Welcome to Country by Uncle Ken Gordon, Groove on the Grass was an inclusive celebration which Event Manager Mark Blackadder proudly said united the whole community.
“We had to prove we could do it in a small regional town like Grafton,” he said, referencing the many months of hard work which went on behind the scenes to deliver Groove on the Grass.
“But we brought it together.
“It was such a boost for the local community, the local economy, and it brought visitors to the town during one of the quieter times of the year.
“To welcome artists like Jem, Jessica and Dami to Grafton, we just felt so proud and thankful to have them here, and to create an event which allowed people to watch performers they might not have had the opportunity to see elsewhere, that was just so exciting.”
During their respective sets on the stage, each performer graciously acknowledged the crowd and spoke of their excitement to perform in Grafton.
As she reflected on her family connection to the Clarence Valley, proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman Jem Cassar-Daley, the only daughter of country music sensation Troy Cassar-Daley, said it was an absolute pleasure to be back in Grafton, describing it as her “home away from home.”
Dami Im humorously joked that she was so happy to perform in Market Square that she dropped her microphone, while Jessica Mauboy, a proud Kuku Yalanji and Walkamin woman said it was an honour to perform on country and acknowledged the event organisers for making Groove on the Grass possible.
Mr Blackadder also wished to thank Deb Merritt, Event Development Officer at CVC for her incredible support, and spoke of his optimism for more events like Groove on the Grass to be held in the future.