Wattle Day celebration to put Australian spirit on full display

By Jemma Jones

Aug 28, 2024

A variant of wattle called acacia brachybotrya is on full display already, and will be one to look out for at the Wattle Day celebration on August 31. The close-up snap was sent in by Kyabram Urban Landcare group secretary Neville Hunter. Photo by Contributed

Quintessentially Australian, wattles are currently bursting into bloom.

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And the Kyabram Urban Landcare Group will hold a Wattle Day celebration at Ern Miles Reserve on Saturday, August 31 to celebrate the beginning of spring and the blooming of the golden wattle.

National Wattle Day, which is typically celebrated on September 1 for the first day of spring, celebrates our national emblem, which proudly displays Australia’s national colours, green and gold.

Kyabram Urban Landcare group chairperson Suzanna Gormon said Australians celebrated wattle not only because it was our national floral emblem, but because the golden wattle was a “unifying symbol” of Australia.

It is known to be among the first plants to regenerate after fire — symbolising the spirit and resilience of the community following bushfires, floods and droughts, Ms Gormon said.

The shades of green and gold worn by Australian athletes in international competitions are also reminiscent of the golden wattle.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, golden wattles typically flower in late August to September, with each blossom carrying 40 to 80 small flowers.

These blossoms will be on full display for a community gathering in the Wattle Day celebration where people can enjoy a wattle walk, kids’ activities, a sausage sizzle tea and a bonfire.

The celebration will be the first of its kind since 2016, when the Kyabram Urban Landcare group invited Warramunda residents to observe the wattle by bus.

The Ern Miles Reserve is home to many local indigenous plant species thanks to the Kyabram Urban Landcare group, which has worked to revegetate the site since Campaspe Shire Council purchased it in the early 2000s.

“Come along and experience all the EMR (Ern Miles Reserve) offers. There will be plenty of wattles in bloom all around the reserve for those willing to walk around and explore in this amazing recently established urban bushland,” Ms Gormon said.

The celebration is set to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, August 31, with community members encouraged to bring their own chairs, plates and drinks to enjoy while admiring the beautiful wattle.