Ed,

The Jacaranda Festival has a long and proud history in Grafton and this year’s festival was a credit to the whole team involved in pulling together and putting on a yet another festival to be proud of.

Grafton is so lucky to have a group of resilient and hardworking people running this world-renowned festival. To say that they are adaptable would be an understatement. After all, who would have thought we would ever have facemasks in our Jacaranda shop and that we could have a Jacaranda Festival in December without a Jacaranda tree in bloom! But that’s exactly what the Festival Committee did, and they did it magnificently.

All Grafton residents should be so proud of what has been accomplished during the most trying times. To have the courage to even go ahead with the events was remarkable and to do it so well was astounding.  From the beauty and pageantry of the wonderful crowning night to the triumph of the ball, and everything in between, the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the Festival Committee and its volunteers was on display at every event.

I was honoured and humbled to be the Guest of Honour this year and I witnessed firsthand the sheer effort that went into putting the events on. It’s the hours of work behind the scenes that most don’t get to see, but without it there would be no Festival. That’s why I believe the festival is a gift to the Grafton community. It’s not something that is able to be replicated by others because it is the spirit, enthusiasm and dedication of the Committee and Volunteers that make it the unique and special experience that it is.  It is a truly wonderful and extraordinary gift that we are all so grateful for.

There are a lot of people involved in running the festival and I would like to thank every one of you for your hard work and commitment. I had the most wonderful week as Guest of Honour; an experience I will never forget. 

To President Desan Paddayachee, Secretary, Amanda Ryder, and Festival Manager, Mark Blackadder congratulations on all your efforts and I know that with you, the Festival is in good hands to continue Australia’s longest running floral festival.

June Allen

South Grafton