National Wattle Day

National Wattle Day

Post
Subscribe

Posted 2020-08-04 by Rachel Timminsfollow


Like me, you may never have heard of . Here are some ideas to help you celebrate the national floral emblem of Australia, the Golden Wattle. One way is to plant wattle trees and another would be to learn more about it. Best of all is to simply feast your eyes on their sunny blossoms.

The Golden Wattle or Acacia Pycnantha of the Fabacea family, grows mostly in understory open forest, woodlands and open scrub in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, but also in Queensland along the Great Dividing Range. The Golden Wattle begins to flower from approximately late July until around mid-August in Toowoomba, Highfields and the Bunya Mountains. The basalt soils of Toowoomba are suitable for their growth.

An evergreen spreading tree, the Golden Wattle can grow to around 8 metres tall, with sickle-shaped leaves. By spring, the blossoms are all but gone and the tree bears long seed pods.



is officially on 1 September, but in Queensland, this is too late to see the flowers and maybe why the date is largely ignored. The Golden Wattle was chosen as Australia's national floral emblem as it's dressed in our national colours, green and gold. The national colours are deep in meaning and are a symbol of unity. The gold is to represent Australia's beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvest and wool fleece. The green represents our forests, eucalyptus trees and pastures. The green and gold have been Australia's sporting colours since the late 1800s. On 19 April 1984, they were formally recognised as the national colours.

Golden Wattles are like the spirit of the Australian people, drought and wind-resistant and resilient in bushfires, which is another reason they are the national floral emblem. In more recent years, they became a symbol of remembrance and reflection, for example on a day of national mourning. In 1988, they were proclaimed the national floral emblem by the Rt Hon Sir Ninian M Stephen AK GCMG GCVO KBE. The kangaroo and emu have the Golden Wattle for company on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, where it frames the shield.

In 1901, the Federation began the practice of wearing the Golden Wattle. In 1913, wearing the blossoms was formally recognised by the Wattle Day League, beginning .



Indigenous Australians used Golden Wattle gum to produce a toffee, made by soaking the gum in water and honey. The tannin in the tree's bark has antiseptic properties. Colonial settlers discovered that the bark was useful for tanning, the gum was used for glues and the blossoms for honey.

The name 'wattle' comes from an ancient building technique of weaving small twigs and branches to form building frameworks, which the early settlers did using the acacias.

Hay Fever

While sufferers of hay fever often blame the wattle, it's actually rare that they are the culprit. The Golden Wattle pollen is too heavy to get airborne for any great distance.
See hay fever health news .

Where to Find Golden Wattles

To celebrate the national flower, go for a drive around. Places to view the Golden Wattle in and around Toowoomba are:

Toowoomba

Rowbotham St, opposite number 210 and towards the west, a beautiful row of trees, Middle Ridge.
At Picnic Point take the drive down the hill, before the fork in the road beside the rainforest walk there are several trees.
One large and lovely tree in Kitchener St, opposite East Creek.

Highfields

Before and after Highfields along the New England Highway, until Cabarlah.
Some glorious Fringed Wattles in Peacehaven Botanic Gardens, 56 Kuhls Rd, Highfields.

You could also celebrate by purchasing some wattle from a florist. If you want to show your patriotism on , you could make some craft wattles . However, you celebrate, be blessed by the blossoms of Australia's national floral emblem, the Golden Wattle.





#parks
#outdoor
#near_toowoomba
#parks
#family
#outdoor
#aboriginal
#near_toowoomba
#family
#august
%wntoowoomba
96450 - 2023-06-12 02:43:43

Tags

Free
Outdoor
Markets
Festivals
Music
Nightlife
Fundraisers
Family_friendly
Shopping_markets
Arts_culture
Holiday
Food_drink
Community
Services
Near_toowoomba
Copyright 2024 OatLabs ABN 18113479226