A royal moment in history
Emma Pritchard. A member of the LGBTIQA+ community and a proud Indigenous woman from Gubbi Gubbi Country, Amanda Daffey is the first candidate to assume the title of Jacaranda Ambassador in the 88-year history of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival after the Jacaranda Festival Committee announced in February that Australia’s oldest floral festival would become a gender-neutral event in 2022.
Retrofest 2022 a rocking success
Emma Pritchard. An exuberant crowd turned back the clock to the 1950s and 1960s at Market Square on October 30 as Retrofest 2022 rocked Grafton’s popular recreational area beneath the blossoming jacaranda trees. A vivid celebration of vintage fashions, classic cars and all things rock ‘n’ roll, the annual event is one of the most popular festivities during the Grafton Jacaranda Festival...
Highway upgrades achieving flood immunity objectives
Rodney Stevens. A hydrological mitigation report on the Glenugie to Devlis Pulpit section of the Pacific Highway published by Transport for NSW shows the upgraded road is achieving its objectives of improving flood immunity. The report describes flood behaviour in the region, Transport for NSW’s flood management objectives, flood model outcomes, design and mitigation, and future planning.
First Nations artists shine a light on the coastal emu
Emma Pritchard. Stunning drawings and paintings by First Nations artists from the Clarence Valley will be projected onto the Sunshine Sugar building in South Grafton each night from October 22 until November 6. Celebrating the life cycle of the endangered coastal emu, glorious creations by proud Yaegl artists Kahlua Charlton, Gareth Charlton and Aneika Kapeen, proud Bundjalung artist Maisie Monaghan, and proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung artist Deborah Taylor have been delighting spectators who have been stopping to admire the impressive visual display.
2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival arrives
Emma Pritchard. As vibrant explosions of mauve and lilac blossoms engulf the streets in a collage of colour each spring, we know the jacaranda season has arrived, and as a community, we come together to celebrate the Grafton Jacaranda Festival. An esteemed annual event, rich in local history, culture and tradition, the oldest floral festival in Australia draws people from across the country, and the world, to the Clarence Valley each year.
Flower power to light up See Park again in 2022
Emma Pritchard. The phenomenal beauty of the blossoming jacaranda trees in See Park, Grafton, is an extraordinary sight to behold during the day. And their astonishing colours will once again light up the night sky during the 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival ... the event encourages locals and tourists to wander through See Park after dark and enjoy a twilight picnic or relaxing visit ...
Prom-ising a majestical performance
Emma Pritchard. An enchanting and mesmerising journey which showcases the superb talent, skill and artistry of local musicians and performers, ‘An Afternoon at the Proms’ is one of the Clarence Valley’s most popular and highly anticipated annual events. Proudly presented by the Clarence Valley Orchestra and Chorus, and ... renowned conductor Greg Butcher, An Afternoon at the Proms encompasses a rich variety of classical favourites by Mozart, Stravinsky, Elgar and Strauss.
Tom gets another four Australian athletics records aged 86
Rodney Stevens. Maclean athletics legend Tom Hancock is showing no signs of slowing down at age 86, recently breaking four Australian Records and winning male athlete of the Australian Masters Athletics Winter Throws Championship. The Master’s Games stalwart competed in the throwing only event from October 1 to 3, against 60 of the nation’s best, experienced athletes, aged between 30 and 86 - making him the eldest competitor.
