Saying it with flowers

Media release by Rosemary Cadden

South Australia's Women's Suffrage Centenary committee has a proud message to spread this year - and one way the are doing it is by "saying it with flowers".

Adelaide City Council is adorning the gardens in Victoria Square with carpets of purple and golden yellow flowers throughout 1994 to mark the 100th anniversary of the year when South Australian women were granted the right, not only to vote, but also to stand for election to parliament.

Golden yellow - symbolising enlightenment, illumination and intellect - is historically associated with the suffragist movement in South Australia. Its origin is not known, but a gold ribbon tied up the great petition urging Parliament to give women the vote.

The other colour-purple-which signifies reverence and dignity, was associated with the British suffragette struggle of the early 20th century.

The carpets of flowers re a beautiful reminder of the efforts of those strong women in South Australia 100 years ago.

Their success in this new and small colony inspired women in other States and nations to struggle for the achievement of equal political rights for women.