Investigating Australia

Integrated Unit - Australian Emblems

As part of our Integrated Unit on Australia, we have been investigating our National Flora and Fauna. Australia's national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle. It is an evergreen, spreading shrub. When it flowers it displays our countries national colours of green and gold. These colours are often seen during formal occasions or when people are representing our country, such as at the recent Commonwealth Games and the Pan -pacific swimming competition.

The Golden Wattle grows across Australia and is ideally suited too live through our country's droughts, winds an bushfires. The resilience of the wattle is meant to represent the spirit of the Australian people.

Did you know the first day of September is National Wattle Day?  
This day was introduced in 1913 by an association called the Wattle Day League and formally recognised on 23 June 1992. Australians can celebrate their floral heritage by planting wattles. (according to Australian Government - It's An Honour, Australia celebrating Australians)

The children in Year 3 showed their artistic skills as created their own interpretation of the Golden Wattle.

Golden Wattle

Year 3 have been learning about the Australian Emblems, the Floral (Flower) Emblem is the Golden Wattle. The Australian national flower has golden flowers growing out of its stems, called wattles. The golden wattle is the most special flower to Australia. Year Three have completed an art work representing this special flower. We hung them in the Parish entre for our assembly. The parents seemed to like them as many asked if they could take them home, but we wanted to hang them in our classroom.
The golden wattle is Australian because it is found all over Australia, even in our school. The National animals are the kangaroo and the Emu. They are found on our National Emblem.

Here are some of our Golden Wattles: