During the visit, Her Excellency and students gathered to plant a Golden Wattle Tree in the lead-up to National Wattle Day this Thursday, 1 September, to commemorate the beginning of spring. The ceremony was hosted by the Wattle Day Association and its sponsor Open Minds.
BCE Executive Director Dr Sally Towns, Brisbane City Council Councillor Fiona Hammond, and Vice President of the Wattle Day Association Mike Gilmour were also in attendance for the tree planting.
Students added the wattle tree to their school’s Australian natives’ pathway that supports the natural ecosystem, attracts native animals and insects to their school grounds, and raises awareness about the importance of being integrally aware and connected to all creation.
Dr Towns said Wattle Day is a fantastic way for students to learn about Australia’s rich history and the achievements of the Wattle Day League.
“From the smiles on the Holy Cross School students’ faces this morning, I can see meeting Her Excellency will become a treasured memory and will inspire students to continue to grow their environmental knowledge and awareness.
“The wattle is the perfect plant for the Holy Cross School grounds as it is not only our national floral emblem but also an inclusive emblem that represents all Australians.
“It also serves as a timely reminder to our school communities about the importance of inclusiveness and diversity within our schools and broader society.
“At BCE, we promote diversity and inclusion in our 146 school campuses and this wattle tree will be treasured by the Holy Cross School community for many years to come.”
About National Wattle Day Association:
The Wattle Day Association is a not-for-profit, non-political, non-sectarian organisation incorporated in the ACT. The first attempt to celebrate a ‘national’ Wattle Day was on 1 September 1920 in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. From that time on, Wattle Day was observed all around the country. It was not until 1992 that 1 September was officially proclaimed National Wattle Day in every State and Territory by the Commonwealth Government of Australia, and in 1988 the Golden Wattle was officially gazetted as Australia’s national floral emblem.
About Open Minds:
The Queensland Wattle Day League (QWDL) was formed in 1912 and today is known as Open Minds, a specialist provider of mental health and disability services. Today, Open Minds is a registered NDIS provider and charity servicing Queensland and northern New South Wales. Its purpose is to enable a positive and independent future for people living with mental illness and disabilities.