| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (50 min. 5 sec.) ; 302502546 bytes |
| Summary |
In the 1880s, Henry Volckers, a German immigrant, planted the seeds of the Jacaranda tree, which had been imported from South America, into avenues throughout the town of Grafton. In 1935 the tree-lined avenues were of such splendour that the council of the day decided to hold a festival to celebrate the blossoming of the trees and the arrival of spring.This program shows how for almost a century, the small town of Grafton in northern New South Wales continues to celebrate the magnificence of its trees with an annual festival that includes the crowing of The Jacaranda Queen."This is not a beauty contest but a rigorous contest of speech and presentation, fundraising and social skills that will determine the most suitable young lady to represent out town" (Yearly Jacaranda Programme). The judge's task is to choose a Jacaranda Queen and Jacaranda Princess who are deemed suitable representatives for the City of Grafton. Thus, each spring the title of Jacaranda Queen is handed on to another girl. The festival run for nearly two weeks and is one of the last surviving events of this scale and type.The panel of judges usually consists of representatives of the major sponsors of the Festival plus one secret judge. The identity of the secret judge is announced at the crowning ceremony.Tourists throng to Grafton during this time to take part in the celebrations with events ranging from The Jacaranda Ball, Rodeo, Queen Crowning, competitions, exhibitions and the famous Venetian Carnival held on the riverbank of the mighty Clarence River.In 2004, filmmaker Lawrence Johnston (Eternity) visited Grafton and took the opportunity to interview many of the women who had been crowned Jacaranda Queen throughout the festival's rich history. The result is an exploration of the notions of beauty, self-esteem, competition and ambition. For many women who participate in The Jacaranda Festival, it is a way of being noticed, of becoming "someone", of being popular, of contributing to their community.As well as interviews with former Queens, the program includes archival footage of previous festivals, home movies and still photographs. Once A Queen is an evocative portrait of the town of Grafton where every spring the magnificent trees come alive and a strong tradition reigns supreme. (Commissioned by SBS Independent, in English) |
| Event |
Broadcast 2014-06-18 at 20:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: G |
| Subject |
Beauty contestants.
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Beauty contests.
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Festivals -- Social aspects.
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Flowering trees.
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Tree farms -- Environmental aspects.
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New South Wales -- Grafton.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Johnston, Lawrence, director
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