Wattle Day League Badge

$15.00

1 in stock

Description

Wattle Day in Australia is 1st August, but in the beginning it was 1st September – the first day of spring.  The league was established in 1909.  It was intended to promote patriotism for the new nation of Australia.  For those who argue that commemorating Australia Day on 26th January is a mistake, Wattle Day could be the perfect alternative.  Golden Wattle was incorporated as an accessory in the design of the Australian Coat of Arms in 1912.  The day of celebration was changed from September to August 1st in 1916 in NSW, so the indigenous early flowering Cootamundra Wattle could be used. During WWII the Red Cross called for sprigs of wattle to sell in Martin Place for the war effort & this early flowering variety was used. Badge measures 1.5-2cm diameter.