What is National Wattle Day?

History of Wattle Day

The following accounts narrate the history of this event. Thanks to the details described by Maria Hitchcock in her book entitled, Wattle.

- Wattle, as a meaningful emblem in the Australian colonies, and its first known use go back to the early days of Tasmania in 1838. This happened when silver wattle sprigs were being worn to an occasion particularly to the anniversary celebration of the seventeenth century European discovery of the island.

- The wattle plant had many uses to the original inhabitants of Australia. For instance, the boomerang has its own widespread meaning.

- Toward the end of the 19th century, utilitarian objects such as furniture began to reflect a naturalistic imagery of the Australian flora and fauna.

- It was in October 1889 when the “Wattle Blossom League” had a meeting in Adelaide. Will Sowden was the chief proposer of the league. He was the vice president of the Adelaide branch of the Australian Natives Association. The said league was short lived. And in 1891, some members withdrew and so it was eventually dissolved.

- It was in February 1891 when an article on national symbols came out in the Melbourne Herald that said the Wattle should become the national emblem of Australia just as the Maple Leaf is that of Canada.

- In 1899, the “Wattle Club” in Victoria was formed by Mr. A.J. Campbell who was a field naturalist. In their series of bush outings, it was suggested on September 1st 1908, that a Wattle Day should be celebrated.

- The then Government Botanist, J.H. Maiden, held a public meeting to form the Wattle Day League. A motion was accepted. This was:

setting apart throughout the Commonwealth a day on which
the Australian national flower - the Wattle Blossom - might
be worn, and its display encouraged.

- Several branches of the Wattle Day League were began in South Australia with Sowden as its VP. Another one opened up in Melbourne led by A.J. Campbell.

- It was on the 1st of September 1910 when the first national Wattle Day was celebrated in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Of all the branches, the Adelaide branch was considered the most active as it used the wattle as a symbol on occasions other than the Wattle Day.

- In January 1913, a major Australian Wattle Day League Conference was held in Melbourne. When the First World War began, the Wattle served as the symbol of the home for military personnel who were serving overseas. It was also the symbol for raising funds for organizations like the Red Cross.

- The date of the Wattle Day was changed to the first of August in 1916 because the wattle bloomed heavily around this time.
In 1984, the national colors were declared to be that of the Wattle’s green leaves, and its gold blossom.

New feelings of nationhood have emerged in the Centenary of Federation. The new Wattle is oriented towards and future and embracing positive attitude towards the celebration of Australia.

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