Darwin’s flora emblem has been rediscovered after 54 years.
The discovery was the result of a chance enquiry from producers of the popular ABC Gardening Australia program, asking whether Darwin had an official floral emblem.
A Records Supervisor with nearly 40 years’ experience at City of Darwin took up the challenge and in archives dating back to September 1966 found confirmation of a Council decision adopting the Red Flowering Kurrajong as Darwin City’s floral emblem.
At the time a number of the Red Kurrajong trees, also known as Brachychiton Megaphyllus, were planted in the Botanic Gardens for visitors to view and enjoy.
Unfortunately, these early specimens have been lost, although a few more recently planted trees are still on show at George Brown Botanical Gardens
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he was thrilled that the floral emblem had been ‘found’ after so many years.
“City of Darwin keeps excellent records and thanks to the tip-off we have been able to confirm that the Red Kurrajong is in fact Darwin’s floral emblem.”
“Our Parks and Reserves Team have really embraced this discovery and with the 50 plants purchased, there are plans to incorporate them into our street and park beautification programs across Darwin.”
“Our history should be celebrated and I’m very grateful we have been able to rediscover this unique part of our city’s heritage.”
To commemorate the rediscovery, Lord Mayor Vatskalis has planted a mature Red Kurrajong in Civic Park.
The slow-growing tree, which flowers during the Dry Season, is native to the Top End and is found from Maningrida to the West Australian border.
