How would you select a house warming gift for 70,000 to 80,000 people who come from 200 countries and are your new neighbours? That’s the challenge facing Australia’s 692 Local Governments that present small gifts to the 70,000 to 80,000 people who become Australian citizens each year.
Since 1949 when the Australian Citizenship Act came into force, Australia’s Councils and Shires have conducted tens of thousands of citizenship ceremonies for around 3.3 million people. And many Councils have come up with a very unique and very Australian gift idea – local native plants for their local citizens.
Local Governments across Australia choose different plants to hand out at their citizenship ceremonies. But their reasons for selection are very remarkably similar. Council officers search local nurseries for plants that symbolise their area and suit local conditions. It’s important that the seedling or shrub can grow in all aspects of the newcomer’s garden, remains manageable and that, like the Australian character, it is hardy and adaptable.
So what do Councils provide?
In Hobart, new citizens receive a Tasmanian native, like a Grevillea, Correa or Hakea. And if the situation calls for a plant that will flower around Australian Citizenship Day (17 September 2003), the choice is likely to be Leptosperum, a tee tree with white and pinkish star flowers.The City of Ipswich in Queensland goes for a local gum, Eucalyptus Curtissi. New citizens receive a seedling that, when full grown, flowers over summer with whitish cover on the tops of its branches. The Eucalyptus Curtissi is particularly significant. It is only found in Southern Queensland and is the floral emblem of the City of Ipswich.
Becoming an Australian citizen this September at a City of Joonadaulp ceremony, in Western Australia, means residents will probably receive a Geraldton Wax. Very distinctive, with needle leaves and waxy pink myrtle flowers, the Geraldton Wax is abundant during the State’s wildflower season. And to make sure recipients get their new Australian addition off to the best start, Council supplies planting instructions with each shrub.The City of Salibury in South Australia takes a slightly different approach. Members of the Country Women’s Association hand make lavender sachets for each woman becoming a citizen. And as sweet reminder of their citizenship experience, they also receive a small pot of local Berrneberg jam.
So returning to the question: any other thoughts on home and garden gifts for next year’s 70,000 to 80,000 new neighbours?
