Dawn Waterhouse OAM, (15 Dec. 1923 – 28 Dec. 2025), former committee member and Friend of the Wattle Day Association is remembered for her passion and tireless advocacy promoting National Wattle Day (1 September) as a day of celebration of all Australians. Dawn loved wattle as all her friends and family well know, vying to be the first to bring her a wattle sprig in flower as each spring approached. Dawn also collected wattle-themed memorabilia such as crockery, paintings and embroidery and sheet music that in recent years she displayed at her childhood home, Calthorpe’s House in Mugga Way Canberra, on 1 September. She has donated many of her pieces to The National Museum of Australia, Calthorpes’ House and the Canberra Museum and Gallery for us all to enjoy. Two of her wattle tins are currently on display at the Royal Australian Mint as part of their 50th anniversary exhibition for the Australian Honours System.
We will miss Dawn’s enthusiasm, encouragement, insights and friendship as well as her energetic presence at our WDA happenings every September, such as the wonderful wattle dinners at Teatro Vivaldi’s where she presented her collection, ‘Wattle Corner’ at the National Arboretum Canberra (NAC), the wattle stall at Old Bus Depot Markets (OBDM) and ACT citizenship ceremonies. Dawn wrote many letters to The Editor at the Canberra Times advocating for National Wattle Day and we often quote her inspiring words from 2020:
“National Wattle Day is a day when we all share the love we have for this magnificent country and the joy and privilege of being part of it.”
Dr Suzette Searle, President Wattle Day Association Inc.
For more information about Dawn’s rich life read Megan Doherty’s article in today’s Canberra Times; Canberra’s living history: Dawn Waterhouse dies at 102 | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT and
and Tim the Yowie Man’s tribute on Facebook: (4) Tim the Yowie Man – Search Results | Facebook
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Elizabeth Falkiner interviewing Dawn Waterhouse about her wattle collection in 2012 at the WDA’s annual wattle dinner at Teatro Vivaldi’s Restaurant.
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| 1 Sept. 2018 Wattle Corner NAC 2018
L to R: Judy Tunningley, Teah Searle, Dawn Waterhouse & Suzette Searle |
1 Sept. 2024 OBDM Spring Wattle launch Kingston L to R: Jill Waterhouse, Suzette Searle, Dawn Waterhouse & Mikla Lewis (Golden Wattle Award Winner – 2024) | 4 Sept. 2018 Albert Hall Canberra Citizenship Ceremony Judy Tunningley & Dawn Waterhouse |