Grafton Jacaranda Festival Manager, Mark Blackadder, has been honoured with a prestigious NSW Government Community Service Award in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the local community, including the transformation of the Jacaranda Festival into a spectacular regional event.
Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said Mark is 'king doer' of all things and no mountain is too high when it comes to achieving great things for his local community.
"Not only has Mark set the bar high in terms of showcasing Grafton as an all-inclusive, international tourist destination during Jacaranda, but he was instrumental in bringing headline acts such as Jessica Mauboy and Dami Im to Grafton for the recent NSW Government-funded Groove in the Grass event," Mr Gulaptis said.
"Mark didn't stop there and has topped that act by securing two of the country's best musical storytellers, Troy Cassar-Daley and Don Walker, to headline the opening of this year's 86th Jacaranda Festival along with our First Nations people."
Mr Gulaptis said not only does Mark go above and beyond for all things Jacaranda, but you will also see him supporting other community events such as the local Rotary Club, Australia Day events, and marketing the annual Carols by Candlelight.
"Mark also plays a significant role in helping develop and implement grassroots mental health and wellbeing projects across the Clarence Valley in his role as Our Healthy Clarence Community Access Project Officer," Mr Gulaptis said.
"Mark is entrenched in every aspect of his local community. He lives and breathes community and pours so much energy and passion into making his local community a better place to live, and we are all the richer for it.
"I know Mark would be the first to say he doesn't do it alone and while that may be the case, he is the true essence of leading by example and if you lead, they will follow."
https://www.jacarandafestival.com/
