Cultivating the right image
Armenia honours the apricot, while Poland praises the Weeping Willow. England lauds the Tudor rose and Thailand extols the interestingly named Golden Shower Tree. But what floral emblem should represent the Cassowary Coast region?
“Emblems make a strong visual statement,” observed Cassowary Coast Mayor, Bill Shannon. “It is important for us to select an appropriate floral emblem.”
Cr. Shannon is inviting residents and community groups to nominate the plant that they believe best represents the recently amalgamated Cassowary Coast region (which formerly paid floral tribute to the flame tree in Cardwell Shire and the beach cotton-wood in Johnstone Shire).
The final decision will not be easy.
“The southern cassowary was an obvious choice for the role of faunal emblem,” Cr. Shannon said. “But we live in one of Australia’s most biodiverse regions. There are about 1200 native plant species growing here, which means there are a dizzying number of choices for the floral emblem.”
The Mayor has asked Council park staff to develop a set of criteria to assist in the decision-making process. In the meantime, he suggests people wishing to nominate a plant should ask themselves the following questions.
“Is this plant well known, is it easy to grow, is it attractive, does it flower or fruit at an important time, does it have importance to traditional owners, will it look good planted in our parks and finally, what is special about it that would make it a suitable emblem,” Cr. Shannon asked.
He hopes that gardening clubs and other community groups will devote some discussion to the subject. “And with school resuming soon, I would also encourage teachers to involve their students, carry out research and submit a class suggestion,” he added.
Nominations for the floral emblem will close on February 20, 2009. The Mayor will announce the emblem on March 15, 2009, the anniversary of the establishment of the Cassowary Coast region.
If you wish to nominate a plant, please mail your suggestion to Cassowary Coast Regional Council, PO Box 401 Tully 4854, or email