National Wattle Day – 1 September – first day of spring
A celebration of Australia and Australians
National Wattle Day – why do we celebrate?
- National Wattle Day is a happy day that celebrates Australia and Australians
- Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) is Australia’s national floral emblem.
- Wattle is a symbol that comes directly from our land; this is day to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world around us
- Like our people, wattle has great diversity (with more than 1,073 described Acacia species)
- Wattles are resilient, drought tolerant and grow well on poor soils
- Wattles are great pioneer plants, being among the first plants to regenerate after fire and other soil disturbance, and then return nitrogen to the soil as they grow
- Wattles welcomes in the spring, reminding us of the importance of renewal as it paints our national colours of green and gold across our land
- Wattle is a unifying symbol for all Australians. There is no other symbol that says so much about us and our land, Australia
So join the celebration of National Wattle Day – 1 September.
Suzette Searle
President (2019- )
Wattle Day Association Inc.
National Wattle Day – why do we celebrate?
- Wattle is our national floral emblem.
- Wattle is Australian and represents us all.
- National Wattle Day includes everyone.
- Wattle is a symbol that comes directly from our land.
- Like our people, wattle has great diversity (with more than 1,071 Acacia species) and resilience;
- Wattle welcomes in the spring and is among the first plants to regenerate after fire, reminding us of the importance of renewal as it paints our national colours across our land
- Wattle is a unifying symbol for all Australians. There is no other symbol that says so much about us and our land, Australia.
So join the celebration of National Wattle Day – 1 September.
Suzette Searle
President (2019- )
Wattle Day Association Inc.
In the 21st century National Wattle Day is celebrated as a day to celebrate Australia – its land and its people.
- Golden wattle, South Australia
In 1910 wattle day was celebrated on 1 September in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
In 1988 the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially gazetted as Australia’s national floral emblem.1992
In 1992, the first day of September each year was officially declared
‘National Wattle Day’ throughout Australia by the Commonwealth of Australia.2010
2010 was the centenary of the celebration of wattle day on 1 September 1910 in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Photo: ©S.D. Searle
Wattle Day is also used to raise money for community causes such local bush fires brigades, and charities for women, children and disabled people.A century ago sprigs of wattle and wattle badges were sold to raise money for wounded soldiers in the First World War.
It is a day that unifies all Australians in a celebration of what it is to live in Australia and be Australian.
Recommended reading about the history and practice of National Wattle Day:
‘Australia’s Wattle Day’* is a wonderful description of the Golden Wattle and National Wattle Day written by Dr Rod Panter in 1995 and updated in 1997. Dr Panter suggests what to do on Wattle Day and a role for the Federal Government.
1995 Rod Panter ‘Australia’s Wattle Day’ P2H20 (1)*Current Issues Brief 1 1995-96
Rod Panter
Science, Technology, Environment and Resources Group
29 August 1995 (updated 19 August 1997)
Rod Panter is a founding and life-long member of the Wattle Day Association Inc.
