National Wattle Day ... first of September in Australia

A wattle tree near Bluff Rock  New England Highway

  
Wattle Day is a national day of celebration in Australia on the first day of September, that is also the first day of spring in the southern hemisphere. This is a time when many Acacia species (commonly called wattles in Australia), are in flower and people wear a sprig of the flowers and leaves to celebrate the day. 
In 1913, the national Wattle Day League was established to organise the celebration of Wattle Day.

Acacia pycnantha golden wattle

On 19 August 1988, the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially proclaimed as Australia's national floral emblem by the then Governor-General, the Rt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen AK GCMG GCVO KBE.

Four years later, 23 June 1992, Bill Hayden, the then the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, declared that "1 September in each year shall be observed as 'National Wattle Day' throughout Australia and in the external Territories of Australia".
2010 was the centenary of the celebration of Wattle Day on 1 September 1910 in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.


Images @ Eminpee Fotography