STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL - NATIONAL WATTLE DAY

1 September 2006

On the 1st of September 1988, the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially proclaimed as our National Floral Emblem and in 1992, the 1st of September was declared “National Wattle Day”.

Interest in the wattle as a national symbol goes back over a century. In 1889 Mr William Sowden, Vice President of the Australian Natives Association in South Australia, suggested the formation of a Wattle Blossom League to "promote a national patriotic sentiment among the women of Australia".

The concept of Wattle Day grew and in 1909 the Director of the Botanic Gardens in NSW called a public meeting with the aim of forming a Wattle Day League. As a result the first Wattle Day was held on the 1st of September 1910, in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Celebration of Wattle Day reached its height during World War 1. The day was used to raise funds for the war effort whilst boxes of wattle were sent to soldiers in hospitals overseas. It then became a custom to enclose a sprig of wattle with letters to remind our soldiers of home.

As we go about our lives on Wattle Day 2006, Australians might take a little time to think about the sentiments that led to its proclamation. For example, while many things have changed since 1889, we can express our enduring love of country by undertaking some voluntary work within our communities. We could also take pride in the outstanding work of the 3400 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on operations overseas to protect Australia and its national interests.

More information about the Golden Wattle and Wattle Day can be found on the website: http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/flora.cfm#national