Emma Pritchard
Reny Dooley, Sarah Langford, Talissa Sparrow, and Toby Power, are delighted to officially introduce themselves as the 2023 Jacaranda candidates.
Throughout the next several months, the Clarence Valley Independent is looking forward to sharing their jacaranda journeys with you as they strive to become our next Jacaranda King, Jacaranda Queen, or Jacaranda Ambassador, and uphold one of the most prestigious and inspiring traditions in Grafton.
Renee Hankinson is also proud to introduce herself as the 2023 Matron of Honour Elect.
Throughout the next couple of weeks, we will be featuring a specially prepared Q and A segment with each 2023 candidate, along with a feature profile on our 2023 Matron of Honour Elect.
There are also a number of excited local youths who are patiently waiting to introduce themselves as the 2023 Junior Jacaranda candidates.
Please keep a lookout in an upcoming edition of the Clarence Valley Independent to see their smiling faces and read their profiles as they too commence their jacaranda journeys.
The 2023 Jacaranda King, Jacaranda Queen, or Jacaranda Ambassador will be crowned on October 28.
Q and A with 2023 Jacaranda candidate: Reny Dooley
Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Reny Dooley, I’m 19 years old, and I’ve been living in the Clarence Valley for three years.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with animals of all shapes and sizes.
What made you want to become a Jacaranda candidate in 2023?
I decided to become a Jacaranda candidate because I wanted to push myself, and I love a good challenge.
I want to become more involved with my community, and better learn how to advocate for the people of our community.
What is your favourite thing about the Jacaranda Festival?
I have always had a love for the Clarence Valley and the Jacaranda Festival.
I love how the Jacaranda Festival has always been a way for our community to come together and celebrate our area and our people no matter what type of year we have had.
What do you hope to achieve by being a 2023 Jacaranda candidate?
I hope to learn more about my community and to inspire other young men, women, boys, and girls in the Clarence Valley to believe in themselves and show that if they believe in themselves that they are capable of anything.
Editorial kindly contributed.
Q and A with 2023 Jacaranda candidate: Talissa Sparrow
Tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Talissa, but everyone knows me as Tilly.
I’m 26 years old, and proudly sponsored by AMMO Hair and Beauty, Maclean.
I moved to the Clarence Valley when I was 12.
At 17 I moved to Sydney, which never felt right, so I came back home to my happy place.
I am a nurse at Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) and Queen Street Clinic where I get to pursue my passion of nursing and giving back to the community.
What made you want to become a Jacaranda candidate in 2023?
The Clarence Valley is my home, my safe place.
Being a candidate allows me to give something back to my community while being a part of building and creating a safe place for expression and creativity in the Clarence Valley while getting to wear a tiara.
What is your favourite thing about the Jacaranda Festival?
Our big, beautiful jacarandas of course, but also the impact it can have in supporting and encouraging the community in all things that make us uniquely individual.
What do you hope to achieve by being a 2023 Jacaranda candidate?
I want to connect with the community so that I can see first-hand how the Jacaranda Festival helps support and flourish all those involved.
I’m also excited and looking forward to enjoying the ride with my fellow candidates.
We have big plans, and I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.
Editorial kindly contributed.
Q and A with 2023 Jacaranda candidate Toby Power
Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Toby Power and I’m 22.
I am sponsored by my workplace Dougherty Property for which I am most grateful.
I have lived in the Clarence Valley my whole life, and if you can’t catch me in the office, you will most likely find me at a hockey field or in a coffee shop.
What made you want to become a Jacaranda candidate in 2023?
I became a Jacaranda candidate originally to service my need to explore the unknown.
As soon as I found out that it was possible to enter as a male, the expression ‘why not?’ popped into my mind, so I entered.
It is something which I think a lot of guys would love to do, however, most are probably too scared to take the first step.
I am happy to do that.
What is your favourite thing about the Jacaranda Festival?
It would have to be the people.
Everything I take part in external to Jacaranda involves lots of people, which is great, so what better way to meet more people than by taking part in the biggest event on Grafton’s calendar?
What do you hope to achieve by being a 2023 Jacaranda candidate?
It is a massive opportunity to give back to the community by fundraising and promoting our home.
If I can help the festival become bigger and better, I think that’s a win on a commercial scale. Personally, everybody knows I can talk the leg off a chair one on one, however, a little public speaking experience is a whole new ball game.
Some personal growth in that area would be fantastic.
Editorial kindly contributed.
2023 Matron of Honour Elect: Renee Hankinson
Born and raised in the Clarence Valley, Renee Hankinson has always loved the Jacaranda Festival, and has a proud family connection to the popular local festivity too.
“My aunt (Narelle Hankinson) was previously a Jacaranda Princess, and I love how the event brings people together each year,” she said.
“I love the float parade, and the Venetian Carnival, and this year I’m really looking forward to the Jacaranda Ball.
“It’s a really fun community event.”
A former high school teacher, current youth worker, and a proud mother of six, Ms Hankinson is passionate about working and spending time with young people across the region and is especially looking forward to utilising her role to help create more diversity and opportunities for the younger generations who call the Clarence Valley home.
And while she described herself as “very surprised” when she learned “someone very sneaky” had nominated her as the 2023 Matron of Honour Elect, Ms Hankinson said it will be great to be involved with the Jacaranda Festival while getting to know the 2023 Jacaranda candidates and offering them plenty of helpful advice and encouragement along the way.
“I’m telling them all not to overthink things, and to just enjoy the experience, make new friends, and have fun,” she said.
“Everyone gets along beautifully, and we have a wonderful group of candidates this year.”
Ms Hankinson said it is also very exciting to have a young man (Toby Power) nominate as a 2023 Jacaranda candidate and hopes his involvement in the Jacaranda Festival this year will encourage other men and young boys to also put their hands up and take part in the oldest floral festival in Australia.