The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen.
Like all the other carnival clubs, The Jokers consider it their duty to give as many people as possible a chance to enjoy themselves and have a great time. They keep in touch with other similar societies and have established a Council of Carnival Organisations of N.S.W. They hope in this manner to make close co-operation easier and to make it possible for more people to participate in their parties.
To create a pleasant evening for a lot of people one does of course not need a big committee. There are at present 50 members. In November 1966 there were 15 who formed the Council of Eleven and had a Prince with escorts.
The main reason for establishing the society was to convey the tradition and meaning of “carnaval” as known in Europe into Australia. It was therefore that an English name was chosen: The Blacktown Carnival Association “The Jokers”. The adjective Dutch was left out on purpose to attract more non-Dutch born people and acquaint them with “Carnival”. At a later stage, when Blacktown became a city, the name was changed to the City of Blacktown Carnival Association “The Jokers”.
The ‘second generation’ Australians are very interested in dancing and parties, but not in the meaning of carnival as such. But a lot of Australians are keen and make up a great number of the balls’ participants. Highlights of the club were participation in the Waratah Festivals with a float made by themselves, the 11-year jubilee at which other carnival societies took part and 1200 people celebrated this event with them.
