Wattle Sky

One Giant Leap Australia’s (OGL) Seeds in Space program has inspired renowned Australian artists, Lyricist Jodie O’Regan and “Bluey” composer Joe Twist, to create a unique musical piece titled “Wattle Sky.”

“Wattle Sky” is a 15-minute choral work composed in three movements, celebrating Australia’s national flower while highlighting the innovative OGL programs that allows school students to study the germination of wattle seeds that traveled to space.

In 2024 the piece was performed by German Choir Tonraumfünf10, and conducted by Australian, Christopher Bradley. The piece will now be adapted for school children to perform at the South Australian Primary Schools Music Festival in 2026, adding a new dimension to this vibrant intergenerational program.

Each year, over 10,000 students from public schools in South Australia participate in this remarkable choral festival, showcasing their musical talents. The event creates lasting memories as proud past choir members come to watch their children and grandchildren perform, strengthening community bonds through the joy of music.

The wattle seeds that inspired “Wattle Sky” spent six months aboard the International Space Station before returning to Earth, where they were distributed to Australian schools. The seeds are currently being monitored alongside Earth-based seeds to study their growth and development.

Jodie O’Regan was excited about integrating such a unique science experiment into the choir’s lyrics. After witnessing footage of the Dragon capsule’s return with the seeds, she collaborated with composer Joe Twist, incorporating words from the mission control directly into the piece.

“The team at OGL continues to do world-leading work to inspire students in STEM. Incorporating music provides even greater engagement opportunities for students and showcases the powerful role the arts play in education. OGL is pioneering a unique approach to space and science education that is truly ‘out of this world!”

– Susan Templeman MP, Federal Member for Macquarie and Special Envoy for the Arts

Find out more about the composition and the performance in Germany by tonraumfünf10 on our Podcast