This year marks the 25th Jacaranda Festival hosted by Applecross Rotary — from our humble beginnings at Heathcote in 2000 and 2001 to the vibrant community celebration it has become today.
Not many of our current members were around back then, though George would certainly remember those early days well. From little things, big things truly can grow — and in our case, they certainly have.
Our first events were small, with only a few stalls of limited variety, but they set the wind in our sails for what was to come. In 2002, we made the decision to move the Festival to the jacaranda-lined Ardross Street shopping village. It took a lot of work to gain the support of local retailers — not all were immediately convinced — but we gathered enough momentum to make it happen.
In those early years, we did everything ourselves: planning, engaging stallholders, putting up gazebos, running the BBQs, and cleaning up afterwards. The focus was on community engagement rather than fundraising — and the sense of local connection was what made it special.
I still remember having to cancel one of the early Festivals due to a lack of Rotary Public Liability Insurance following the 9/11 attacks in the US. We also made some of our first funding applications to Lotterywest and the City of Melville to help cover costs — partnerships that have since become a cornerstone of our event’s financial sustainability.
There were plenty of challenges too — like windy mornings when gazebos tumbled across Ardross Street before we could secure them, and the time borrowed sound equipment was stolen from a nearby shop! Yet even after such setbacks, the after-party on the street — with leftover sausages and the odd beverage — always made it worthwhile.
Many members who are no longer with us were instrumental in building the Festival into what it is today — including Greg McKenzie, Peter Banks, John Hosking, Ralph Fardon and Dean Lawrence, among others.
Over the years, the event has evolved in both layout and scope. At one stage, the main entertainment marquee sat on Ardross Street near where the Rotunda now stands — great for audiences, though not for traffic! Gradually we expanded into McDonald Road and surrounding parking areas, refining the family-friendly format that defines JacFest today.
To remain relevant and engaging, the Festival continues to evolve each year, offering something new to meet the expectations of our ever-changing audience.
The weather, of course, has always been our biggest unknown — from the one truly wet year to a few windy days and some scorchers in the high 30s. Shade and hydration have become essential parts of planning, but the show always goes on!
A few highlights stand out for me:
- Meticulous organisation – each year we take a true “project management” approach, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Our core project team is second to none, but they always need all the help we can muster.
- Loyal local sponsors – our four Club Sponsors — The Good Grocer, Mont Realty, Pharmacy777 and Ross North Homes — mark 10 years of continuous support this year, having contributed a combined $160,000 to our community initiatives.
- Long-standing partners – event sponsors Lotterywest and the City of Melville have been wonderful ongoing supporters, helping fund professional management and sustainability initiatives such as waste reduction and bulk water stations.
- The 2019 Festival – one of the very few public events to proceed during the height of the Covid crisis, thanks to exceptional planning and perseverance.
- Outstanding volunteer effort – over 600 volunteer hours go into each Festival day, with many local groups contributing their time and energy. While we do make it financially worthwhile for them, most come simply because they love being part of such a lively community event.
For Applecross Rotary, the Jacaranda Festival remains our defining community engagement project and a signature event within the wider Rotary network. The City of Melville recognises it as one of the region’s premier community celebrations — a true testament to the effort and heart our members and partners put in each year.
So yes — 25 years old (or young, depending on your perspective) — and something well worth celebrating.
Here’s to many more years of JacFest success!
Here’s to many more years of JacFest success!