A powerful symbol of pride, passion and performance, the iconic Waratah Mosaic has been inducted into the Netball NSW Heritage List – to be formally recognised at the 2025 Netball NSW State Awards.
The Heritage List celebrates items, events and people of historical significance that have shaped the story of netball in New South Wales. Among the state’s most enduring emblems, the Waratah Mosaic stands as a lasting tribute to the organisation’s proud history and its ongoing pursuit of excellence.
The mosaic’s origins trace back to 1980, when the visionary Anne Clark BEM, one of the great architects of netball’s development in NSW, dreamed of a permanent home for the sport — the Anne Clark Centre. To mark its opening, Anne Clark commissioned her nephew to create a striking emblem for the new venue.
When the Centre was officially opened by the Honourable K Booth MP, the crowd watched as the drapes were pulled back to reveal a magnificent, flood-lit Waratah crafted from hundreds of ceramic tiles. It quickly became a beloved feature, proudly displayed in the stairwell of the Anne Clark Centre for decades.
Although it was once thought too fragile to move when Netball NSW relocated to Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park, staff revisited the idea in 2025 — determined to preserve the emblem that had inspired generations. After careful restoration and relocation, the mosaic now holds pride of place in the Waratah Room at Netball Central, where it continues to represent strength, heritage and unity.
For Netball NSW, the Waratah is more than a flower — it’s a symbol of achievement, connection and aspiration. For decades, state teams have worn the Waratah with pride, carrying it from the local courts of NSW to the international stage in the green and gold.
The nomination recognises the Waratah Mosaic’s enduring legacy — not only as a piece of art, but as a symbol of what every player, coach and official strives for: to represent their state with honour.
As the Netball NSW community gathers for the 2025 State Awards, the Waratah Mosaic will stand as a reminder of how far the sport has come — and the visionaries, like Anne Clark BEM, whose passion helped shape its future.
