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”.

For more local Clarence Valley news, click here.

More Homes for the Northern Rivers as Junction Hill Site Released

In a significant step toward bolstering disaster-resilient housing in the Northern Rivers, the Minns Government has announced the release of land in Junction Hill near Grafton, as part of its broader initiative to deliver up to 1,000 new homes. This marks the seventh land release under the $100 million Resilient Lands Program (RLP), a key component of one of Australia’s largest flood-resilience efforts, alongside the $790 million Resilient Homes Program funded jointly by the State and Commonwealth.

The Junction Hill site joins previously identified locations in East Lismore, Goonellabah, North Lismore, Brunswick Heads, Casino, and Lennox Head-Ballina. Collectively, these sites are expected to yield more than 4,300 homes across the region, addressing the critical need for safer and more resilient housing following the devastating 2022 floods.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA), Transport for NSW, and the Clarence Valley Council to outline necessary transport infrastructure improvements for the Junction Hill site. This infrastructure is crucial to supporting the anticipated growth and development in the area.

The NSW Government has also detailed its Resilient Lands Strategy, which identifies additional sites in Murwillumbah, Goonellabah, and Kyogle. The strategy, developed through extensive community consultation and expert peer review, aims to accelerate the supply of land for residents affected by the 2022 floods. It complements, rather than replaces, ongoing land releases and housing developments across the Northern Rivers.

The RA is now working with councils, landowners, infrastructure providers, and various partners to expedite land and housing developments as quickly as possible.

For more information, visit the NSW Reconstruction Authority website.

Key Government Statements:

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully: “It is critical that communities are assisted in building resilience to natural disasters. The release of land at Junction Hill and the Resilient Lands Strategy demonstrate that the Minns Government is serious about properly planning for the future. With housing stress and homelessness remaining high in the Northern Rivers, these initiatives are vital in creating up to 4,300 flood-resilient home sites.”

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib: “The Resilient Lands Program will accelerate the delivery of new land and housing, providing locals with safer options. Clarence Valley is the fifth council to receive support under the program, and we will continue working with other councils to bring more housing to the Northern Rivers.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison: “The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring that people in the Northern Rivers have safer homes connected to essential services. Good transport infrastructure is vital for the success of new housing developments, and the release of land at Junction Hill will support this.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin: “Flood-affected communities across the Northern Rivers have been keenly interested in safer land and housing options. I’m pleased to see Clarence Valley included in the Resilient Lands Program, and there is more to come.”

Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson: “This site has been zoned for development for some time. It’s flat, flood-free, and close to town—a rarity in the Northern Rivers. The only thing holding back development is the necessary transport infrastructure upgrades, which this initiative aims to address.”

The release of the Junction Hill site and the broader Resilient Lands Strategy reflect the NSW Government’s commitment to providing disaster-resilient housing and ensuring that the Northern Rivers community is better prepared for future challenges.

For more local Grafton news, click here.