Lynne Mowbray | Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival has won $20,000 from the NSW State Government’s Flagship Event funding, to assist with the marketing of the annual event. Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis made the announcement on Wednesday last week and congratulated the festival committee members. “We know that the Jacaranda Festival is one of the premier events, if not the premier event and draws in tens of thousands of tourists internationally as well as right across the state,” Mr Gulaptis said. “It’s a wonderful festival, it’s got a long history and the community love it. “I’m sure that the funding will help them to plan for this festival as well as give them encouragement to go forward next year,” he said. Grafton Jacaranda Festival Manager Leah Wallace said that the funding is a great boost to the Grafton Jacaranda Festival for 2018. “It shows that the improvements and changes being made by the committee are having a positive response,” Ms Wallace said. “This amazing achievement could not have been made without the dedication of the Jacaranda Committee, the backing and assistance of the Clarence Valley Council and letters of support from local businesses and community groups,” she said.