Wattle Day Association Explained

The Wattle Day Association was established in 1998.^[1] The three aims of the Wattle Day Association are to raise awareness Australia-wide of:

• National Wattle Day (1 September) as a celebration of Australia and its people
• the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) as Australia's national floral emblem and a unifying symbol for all Australians
• wattles, in all their variety, as symbols of Australia

Background

The history of Wattle Day dates back to the first wattle day in 1910 when it was celebrated in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia on the same day – 1 September. In 1992, the Governor-General of Australia declared that "September 1 in each year shall be observed as National Wattle Day throughout Australia and in external territories of Australia."^[2] Canberran Jack Fahy, disappointed with the lack of public interest in the proclaimed National Wattle Day, founded the Wattle Day Association Inc six years later in 1998. Early members were local Canberrans including historians, botanists, teachers, scientists and wattle enthusiasts. It now has members throughout Australia.^[3]

Activities

Members of the Wattle Day Association organise their own events and activities for National Wattle Day. It promotes those of other organisations and individuals on its website and social media. These include:

• Events at botanical gardens, arboretums such as the National Arboretum Canberra, national parks, environmental landscape plantings and nurseries^[4]
• Wattle walks and talks^{[5] [6]}
• Demonstrations of indigenous use of wattles^[7]
• Activities such as tree plantings, wattle themed arts and crafts and wattle songs and poetry through primary schools^[8]
• Wattle-themed citizenship ceremonies close to National Wattle Day^[9]
• Lighting up in green and gold of significant buildings and landmarks throughout Australia^[10]
• Social media promotion through Facebook, X and Instagram

Since 1999, the Association has worked closely with the Governor-General of Australia, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and National Capital Authority to promote National Wattle Day.

See also

• National symbols of Australia
• Acacia

External links

• Wattle Day Association website
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet National Symbols

Notes and References

1. Book: Hitchock, Maria . A Celebration of Wattle : Australia's National Emblem . 2012 . Rosenberg Publications . 9781921719561 . Sydney . 2012 . 65–69.
2. Web site: 31 August 2022 . National Wattle Day event, Government House . 8 June 2024 . Governor-General of Australia.
3. News: 1 September 2020 . SOCIETYCelebrate Wattle Day . 8 June 2024 . Tasmanian Times.
4. Web site: 2022-08-25 . Celebrate National Wattle Day early this weekend at the arboretum . 2024-06-08 . The Canberra Times . en-AU.
5. Web site: Wattle Day Walks . 2024-06-12 . NSW Landcare Gateway . en-gb.
6. Web site: Georges River Council - Wattle Day Walk (Council Led Event) . 2024-06-12 . www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au . en.
7. Web site: Morrison . Norman . Aboriginal use of wattles . 12 June 2024 . Australian National Botanical Gardens.
8. Web site: School resources . 2024-06-08 . Wattle Day . en-AU.
9. Web site: Citizenship Ceremonies . 2024-06-08 . Wattle Day . en-AU.
10. Web site: National Wattle Day in the National Triangle . 8 June 2024 . National Capital Authority.