Sisters Elsie and May Watkin operated a small school for girls called "Tweedside" in Robb St, Essendon from 1894 until 1905. The address was variously given as No 7, 2 and 3, which probably does mean that they moved from house to house in Robb St. The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works shows that No 7 is now No 9, and 3 is now No 5.
The sisters were part of a large Methodist family which produced several missionaries. May wrote stories for the Methodist newspaper Spectator, winning a prize one Christmas. In 1908 May published a book called A Spray of Wattle Blossom, which was described as being four stories of Melbourne, Sydney and the Riverina.
A search through Trove from 1901 will find a handful of stories written by May Watkin.
The first suggestion for a Wattle Day occurred, co-incidentally to the publishing of May's book, in 1908. In the early days of Federation there was a nation-wide search for a meaning for the nation, and for national symbols, and as the wattle occurred right round Australia, it was thought to be appropriate for a national flower.
I believe it would make an appropriate date for Australia Day, without any political overtones but the first day of spring.
Happy Wattle Day, everyone!
