National Wattle Day 2012

On a stunning, if chilly, Canberra spring day some 80 people crowded into the ANBG Theatrette for the launch, which was co-hosted by the Friends and the Wattle Day Association. Representatives of the Embassy of Japan attended in recognition of the silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) being the first plant to bloom after the devastation of Hiroshima by the atomic bomb in August 1945. Yellow ribbons provided by the Acacia Appreciation Club in Hiroshima were handed out.

National Wattle Day has been celebrated annually since 1992 through the efforts of Maria Hitchcock, popularly known as ‘The Wattle Lady’, which led to gazettal of the golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha, as Australia's National Floral Emblem and National Wattle Day on 1st September each year. As Maria notes on her website, Wattle Day was originally conceived as a day to demonstrate patriotism for the new nation of Australia by wearing a sprig of wattle. The day now has wider significance as a day to celebrate our natural environment, our flora, our rainforests and bushland, our coastal heathlands and desert dunes.

Proceedings began with the Canberra Colours choir, a Canberra-based group in the Sing Australia Network, which delighted the audience with songs with a distinctively Australian flavour. And after welcoming remarks by the Friends’ David Coutts, Terry Fewtrell of the Wattle Day Association spoke of the importance of celebrating National Wattle Day, while Maria Hitchcock recounted the history of the wattle’s use in celebration. The book was launched enthusiastically by the guest of honour, the Hon. Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Childhood and Youth. Once the formalities were over, many people took the opportunity to buy a copy of the book and have it signed by Maria. They also enjoyed light refreshments served by the Friends.

Terry Fewtrell, David Coutts, Maria Hitchcock, Peter Garrett (Photo: Barbara Podger)

National Wattle Day 2012

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