September turns Australia golden, a month where a sea of bright yellow, large, fluffy, sweet-smelling clusters blossom, known as the Golden Wattles.
Beautiful fluffy balls of sunshine, diffusing a sweet, honey-like aroma, are a native plant of Australia that is adapted to its arid environment. The golden wattle, or Acacia pycnantha, is Australia’s national emblem, which is culturally important for Australian natives.
1300+ acacias grow worldwide, out of which 960 species grow in Australia, and the most popular among them is the golden wattle.
National Wattle Day is celebrated every year in Australia on September 1st, where tourists and locals come to witness the wattle-filled carpets that make the landscape brimming with golden and yellow hues.
How Do Australians Celebrate National Wattle Day?
This celebration is not a public holiday, but communities, schools, and people celebrate it in various meaningful ways.
● People either wear green or yellow clothing or pin wattle sprigs, while community groups and schools decorate their spaces with wattles.
● Community organizations and local councils host small festivals and events.
● Children are introduced through presentations and arts and crafts like planting, painting, or drawing wattles.
● Environmental programs hold events for tree planting. They also raise awareness to protect biodiversity and native flora.
● Libraries and museums hold talks, displays, and exhibitions.
● Posting on social media encourages others to celebrate national unity and the spring season virtually.
National Wattle Day – History
This concept of celebration emerged in the late 19th century, and Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales were the first to celebrate this day to appreciate the country’s native flora and to promote patriotism.
Since those times, the popularity surged, and soon after, the golden wattle became the national floral emblem of Australia in 1988. Plus, the Australian government, in 1992, declared National Wattle Day to be celebrated on 1st September.
National Wattle Day Significance—It Is More than a Pretty Golden Yellow Plant
The golden wattle is a resilient flower that can thrive in different weather conditions, and this quality resonates with the people of Australia. This national flower represents unity, determination, and strength.
Besides being a national identity, it also promotes the conservation of the unique flora blossoming in Australia. The emergence of its hues indicates that spring has arrived.
Apart from this, this golden-hued flora can be turned into flour to prepare meals and has medicinal properties for curing skin ailments, toothache, headache, colds, infections, rheumatism, etc. Food and medicine are not the only things; multitudes of wattle species are also used for weapons and tools.
National Wattle Day—What Is It About?
It celebrates and appreciates the golden wattle, a vibrant golden-hued flower that is Australia’s native plant, while promoting environmental awareness and the country’s national pride.
Plus, the blossoming of wattle species in early spring denotes new beginnings, growth, and renewal, showcasing that you will find a silver lining even if situations seem bleak. This day brings hope, togetherness, and perseverance.
Acacia Pycnantha – Origins
These captivating and extraordinary floral gems belong to the diverse group of genus Acacia that boasts 1000+ species. Their vibrant color palette and different sizes and shapes have beautified Australia.
Wattle has over a thousand species, and each species comprises unique characteristics like flowering patterns, growth habits, leaf patterns, and colors that shift from pale creams to warm orange hues to golden yellow.
Keeping visual appeal aside, wattle carries cultural significance, symbolic meanings, and medicinal properties. The flower, leaves, and bark contain analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making this floral gem multi-purpose.
Fun Fact: Since this flower became Australia’s national floral emblem, it has been present on the nation’s postal stamps. Plus, the golden wattle is green and gold, which echoes the national colors of Australia.
Where Can You See Wattles in Sydney—A Place So Magical!
You can visit Australia’s largest botanical garden in Western Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. This place exhibits the country’s native flora and specializes in nurturing and growing multitudes of Acacia species.
This Wattle Garden is about 36,000 square meters, featuring 260+ Acacia species. August and September are the peak months for these flowers to bloom. However, some species blossom all year.