Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, as I am sure you are aware, last week was the Grafton Jacaranda Festival. It was another great event and we had more international tourists this year—the numbers are growing every year. In fact, last week, at one stage, I had to actually stop driving along the road because there was an overseas tourist lying on his back in the middle of the road taking photos of the lovely Jacaranda trees. They are more than welcome and so is the tourist dollar they bring with them. I would also like to congratulate the Jacaranda Queen contestants, Shannon Carter, Heidi Madsen and Sharni Wren. Sharni was crowned the 2016 Jacaranda Queen, and I congratulate her. Well done to the Junior Jacaranda Queen entrants, Lucy Hackett, Chloe Hallam, Ariana Smajster, Faith Sullivan and Annelise Uren. Kate Smith was crowned the 2016 Junior Jacaranda Princess, and congratulations to the Junior Jacaranda Queen, Maeve Dougherty.

There was also a beautiful baby competition and the grand champion was Unique Laurie-Davis and the runner-up was Dominic Wheatley. The best dressed boy was Landen Ford and the best dressed girl was Lucyana Corbett. The boy 0 to 6 months category went to Angus Irwin and Eden Summers was second; in the 7 to 12 months category, Dominic Wheatley was first and Oliver Dell second; in the 13 to 18 months category Zander Waugh was first and Elhi Laurie was second; in the 19 to 24 months category Liam Templeton was first and Kaeleb Oliver Lowe second.

In the girls 0 to 6 months category, Unique Laurie Davis was first and Phoebe Lee Senz was second; in the 7 to 12 months category, Lucyana Corbett was first and Xanthe Jackson second; in the 13 to 18 months category Navaiah Turner was first and Kalahni Bettison second; and in the 19 to 24 months category Darcy Falcke was first and Jordyn Reti second. I congratulate everyone involved in what was yet another wonderful Jacaranda Festival week.

Recently students from the Northern Rivers Shukokai Karate Dojo travelled to the Gold Coast to compete in the national all styles tournament. I am proud to announce that six of those students went on to compete at the Queensland state titles. Kane Williams, Imogen Crampton, Emily Le, Frederika Yee, Ruth Potts and Tia Steele all competed in the titles, with Imogen and Frederika both coming first in their respective divisions. These talented students will now be competing in the national titles in late November in Melbourne. Having six students competing in the national titles is a huge achievement for such a small dojo and it is testament to the hard work, passion and determination under the leadership of Barry Potts. I congratulate all involved.

The Orara Valley Ball was held on Saturday. This is a great event hosted by the Orara Valley Progress Association. The ball raises money for projects within the valley. Members of the Orara Valley Axemen football club spent three days before the event setting up. They helped with everything from erecting the marquee to putting down the dance floor. They were helped by the Nana Glen Rural Fire Service members. It is a true community event with many people freely giving their time. The ball could not have happened without people such as Loraine and Peter Waller, Joe McMenamin, Daryn McEwan, Brendan and Stephanie Luck, Peter Wood, Chelsea Shelley, Sam Mihelffy and the Crowe family, who generously donated auction prizes. Over 40 local businesses got behind this event including the Coramba Hotel, Jungs Quarry, Sally Taylor Racing Stables, JDR Windows, TuffCo Glass, Steve Long-Smartline Mortage Broker, Knights Electrical Contracting, Leading Edge Telecoms in Coffs Harbour, Newcombe's Coach Lines, Brendon Luck Welding Services, Reg Latter Electrical, Orara Valley Pool Services and Stephanie Luck Bookkeeping. I congratulate and thank everyone involved in that event.

Lastly, a Lismore local, David Russell, has been excelling in recent motorsport races. He finished in the top 10 at the recent Bathurst 1000, and soon after he finished seventh at the Gold Coast 600. Most recently David was in a Lamborghini RX at the Hampton Downs 101 in New Zealand, which he won, beating the favourite, Greg Murphy. Congratulations, David—we are all very proud of you.