Vandals continue attacks at cricket HQ

By Tim Howard

The continued senseless destruction of large sections of the boundary fence at Grafton’s Ellem Oval has outraged the local sporting community.

The president of the Clarence River Cricket Association, Anthony Dickson, was astounded at the extent of the damage when he arrived at the ground on Saturday ahead of the first match of the season.

Dickson, also a player with the South Services first grade team, said the modern picket fence around ground was in a sorry state.

“It’s a beautiful oval this time of year, but there’s panels busted out every where,” Dickson said.

“I don’t know what we can do,” he said. “The council don’t seem to want to do anything. It’s starting to drive us insane.”

Dickson said the location of the heaviest damage to the fence, near the skate park, was a clear indication of  who were the culprits.

“It’s a beautiful oval, with a modern clubhouse and this is happening. It’s a bad look,” Dickson said.

The classic picket fence surrounding the cricket ground in the park, named after the Ellem family who were synonymous with Clarence cricket for most of the 20th Century, was part of a $2.5 million upgrade off the Fisher Park precinct completed in 2011.

The skate park near the oval has been a popular addition to community infrastructure but has also been a venue for some anti-social behaviour.

The skate park, built in the early part of the century and upgraded at cost of of $64,000 in 2010 has been a source of conflict between young people using the park and cricketers ever since the picket fence went up in 2011.

Skate park users have at times interrupted cricket matches, riding bikes onto the field on at least one occasion and at times taunting players on the field near the fence.

Dickson said it was not surprising the heaviest damage to the picket fence has occurred along the perimeter next to the skate park.

“We’ve been told the damage to the fence now would cost about $10,000 to repair,” he said.

The skate park has been popular with young people in Grafton ever since it opened and has also been used as a venue for the popular Out of the Box youth outreach service.

But it also been the scene of a number of assaults and other anti-social behaviour and also a spectacular vehicle fire in March 2022.

Dickson said damage to the fence had continued over a number of years but had not been repaired.

“We’ve got this beautiful cricket oval going around about three quarters of the ground, with this modern clubhouse,” he said.

“But that section near the skatepark has had all the palings busted off and even the rails have been pulled down.

“Now they’ve smashed up another section of the fence coming back towards the clubhouse. Something’s got to be done. It has to stop.”

Vandals have also moved inside the fence to damage the ground with wicket covers destroyed and people riding bikes on the wicket surface when it was wet.

Dickson said leading umpire up Tony Blanch, who is also the wicket curator at the ground, had met with the police after the latest vandal attack.

“I don’t know what we can do,” he said. “We’ve had these problems for a long time, but it always seem to end up with nothing happening.”

How to be part of the Jacaranda party

By Tim Howard

The excitement of the 90th Jacaranda Festival is building and organisers are calling for people to become part of the celebrations.

The Newcastle Permanent Float Procession, is a traditional festival highlight and it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty of getting your entry ready.

The procession returns on Saturday, November 2, starting at 5pm along Prince St, Grafton.

This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, and the Jacaranda Committee has invited local businesses, charitable organisations, sporting clubs, social groups, youth groups, schools, preschools, childcare centres, and vintage or classic car owners to join in the fun to celebrate the theme, 90 Years In Bloom.

Jacaranda festival manager Mark Blackadder said whether you’re walking, dancing, skipping, or riding on a float, there’s a way for everyone to be part of this spectacular event.

“We encourage creativity and community spirit, so design your float with low flat-back trailers or smaller trucks—just get inventive,” he said.

Mr Blackadder said there were some guidelines float procession entrants could follow to help the event run more smoothly.

He said semi-trailers with full caged walls were discouraged, but said the use of decorative and low-profile safety measures would be suitable to keep participants secure.

Organisers have made entry free for 2024, making it easier than ever to take part in this unforgettable celebration.

“Gather your team, your ideas, and your enthusiasm, and come join us on Prince Street to commemorate 90 years of Jacaranda magic,” Mr Blackadder said.

Those entering their cars into the float procession can have a brush with Jacaranda royalty.

“We are also encouraging all car entries to offer a ride to a past Royal Party member(s) during the parade,” he said.

He said all cars would be marshalled at the Grafton Showgrounds.

Entries close Wednesday, October 30 at 5pm. All entrants will receive their float number by Friday, November 1.

“Let’s make this year’s Newcastle Permanent Float Procession one to remember as we come together to celebrate 90 Years In Bloom,” he said.

To enter, simply complete the digital entry form link here.

For more information go to www.jacarandafestival.com.

Another festival highest has been the Crown Hotel Venetian Carnival and applications for performers are now open.

This year’s carnival will be held on Friday, November 1, from 6pm in Memorial Park, Grafton.

“As we gear up for this year’s festivities, we are seeking fresh talent as well as beloved Venetian Carnival,” Mr Blackadder said.

“With a carnival theme in mind, we invite a variety of performances, including but not limited to bands, duos, acoustic artists, singers, comedy acts, street performers.

“Whatever your art form, we want to hear from you. Our aim is to support Clarence Valley artists and provide a platform for them to shine.”

He said dance groups have been invited to perform at the Clarence Culture & Dance Spectacular on Friday, October 25 and would not perform at the Venetian Carnival.

To apply complete the online form linked here.

After submission applicants may be asked to provide a video sample of a performance for the creative team’s review as part of the selection process.

Applications will close on Monday October 28 at 5pm. Successful applicants will be notified after the review process is complete.

For more information, please contact: Venetian Carnival Coordinator Garett Salter on 0427 350 600 or Email: garrettsalter@hotmail.com

Clarence Valley Orchestra Medical Student Scholarship

The Clarence Valley Orchestra (CVO) is proud to announce their first scholarship candidate for their new Rural Medical Student Scholarship worth $5,000 to Mattea Lazarou in Grafton.

Mattea says, “I have been fortunate enough to complete the beginnings of my medical education as part of the Graduate School of Medicine at University of Wollongong. With a strong focus in contributing to the health and wellbeing of rural Australia, the program sees students undertake a year-long placement within a rural community. With personal connections to the local community, I was thrilled to be placed in the Clarence Valley to complete this stage of my training. It is through my placement in Grafton and surrounds, that my own passion for practising rural health and contributing to the wellbeing of rural communities was encouraged. It was a privilege not only to be surrounded by enthusiastic mentors and teachers within the hospital setting, but to connect with and hear the stories of community members, both within the hospital and beyond. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to return to the Clarence Valley in this latter half of the year and undertake additional experience in both Grafton and Maclean hospitals. I am grateful to complete this final stage of training with the support of the Clarence Valley Orchestra’s generous scholarship. I look forward to returning to Grafton to work as a doctor throughout my career to give back to the community that has showed me so much kindness and opportunity”.

The University of Wollongong’s Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine, Professor Zsuzsoka Kecskes has commented that “we are very excited about the recent awarding of the first Clarence Valley Orchestra Medical Scholarship and would like to once again congratulate Mattea on her successful application. In times when living costs continue to rise, it’s vital for our students to have external support and encouragement to stay on track toward their dream careers and to feel the impact their efforts can have on our communities. We want to express our gratitude to the Clarence Valley Orchestra for their incredible support – our partnership is a fantastic example of how community efforts can uplift and empower future generations.”

The idea of Artistic Director and Conductor of the CVO Dr Greg Butcher, says “the Orchestra is thrilled and has agreed to keep the $5,000 scholarship going over the next 2 years (3 years in total) as a way of ‘thinking outside the box’, hopefully attracting GPs to the Clarence Valley and wider area in the future. These scholarships along with other major community donations are funded from tickets sales from the orchestra’s major concerts. CVO’s next concert, An Afternoon at The Pops, will be their 10^th anniversary and will be on Sunday 27^th October at the Saraton Theatre Grafton, performing with the Comedy Trio the Kransky Sisters, with compere comedian Anthony Ackroyd”.

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