Published by: Digital Schools
Where's The Wattle? - September has already come and gone.
It’s the start of October, and spring has almost sprung, but not quite.
The onion weed is abundant, and so to the tiny flying insects that gather in tight clouds along the ruddy river walks, causing pedestrians to enter respiratory chaos when inhaled by accident.
Grasses that sprout seeded make all of us itch and sneeze, and amongst the gums that host the banks, little tiny buds appear on the acacia trees; BUT – where is the Wattle?
Apart from the Black Wattle Bush, there is no Golden Wattle anywhere in bloom. Cast back a year, and the whole planet, my world along the bushland close to home, was a confetti bomb of yellow blossoms, so intense I ‘kinda’ wished it were toned down a notch.
But here we are, September no more, and blossoms not abundant.
My usual go-to for pale pink eucalypt flowers on the opposite side of the river bank shows a few blooms but nothing stunning.
And sure, the council has removed the bridge that takes you to the better side to grovel and forage for native flowers and bush foods. But looking about each side of the river shore – the infamous Golden Wattle – the crest of our parliament, sorry, none so far I have seen.
So what is going on?
Where is the Wattle?
…
One Week Later .
One week later, I am scanning the soggy banks of the Yarra River. In the drizzling rain, I see fists of yellow buds popping out amongst the grey-green acacia leaves. The yellow parade is on the way, but the difference between last year’s season and this is noticeable. I am relieved that the Wattle, Peppermint Gums blossoms and Mana eucalyptus are finally coming. Still, the gnawing feeling that trouble is about won’t go away, nor will the constant rains.
There has been ongoing confusion as to which day is National Wattle Day.
Originally – National Wattle Day was first celebrated in Sydney, NSW, on September 1st 1910.
In 1913 the Golden Wattle became officially recognised as our national flower and incorporated into our Coat of Arms. In 1916 NSW changed their annual Wattle Day to August 1st, and amidst much confusion between the States, we all decided to declare September 1st the day of the Green and Gold.
