Historical information
The September 5, 1912 issue of Table Talk celebrated "Wattle Day" where new plantings are made of the national flower and featured images from both Melbourne as well as the first excursion to Hurstbridge. Those from Hurstbridge were photographed by notable WW1 photographer, J.E. Barnes.
Also digitised and accessible via National Library of Australia Trove website - (1912, September 5). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 23. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page17413107
See an article on reflections about Wattle Day on page 29 - SOME REFLECTIONS UPON WATTLE DAY. (1912, September 5). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 29. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146180986
The inaugural Hurstbridge Wattle Day Festival was held Saturday, September 1, 1912 when a specially commissioned train brought 1,000 visitors to the district to enjoy the splendour of the wattle in bloom.
“Melbourne’s first “Wattle Day” Campaign, the day when Australia’s national flower was to be all pervading in the streets of the metropolis, and sold in sprigs and bunches by hundred of lady volunteers, for purposes of charity, was not blessed with happy climatic conditions on Monday [2 Sep 1912]” - WATTLE DAY. (1912, September 7). Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), p. 39. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198116738
“In connection with Wattle Day celebrations a special train conveyed a thousand people to Hurst's-Bridge last Saturday afternoon [1 Sep 1912]. Lengthy reports of the excursion appeared in the daily papers last Monday. - WATTLE DAY. (1912, September 6). Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60656027
See a review of the excursion to Hurst’s-Bridge - HURST'S-BRIDGE EXCURSION. (1912, September 2). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196255907
The excursion to Hurst’s-Bridge was considered such a success that the Railway department arranged to run another special train to the station on Saturday, October 5, 1912 - HURST'S-BRIDGE EXCURSION. (1912, October 2). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203325447
Significance
Inaugural Hurstbridge Wattle Day Festival held 1 September 1912
Physical description
Single page clipping from magazine
