FACT SHEET NO. 17 NOVEMBER 1997

The Australian

‘Advance Fair’ is the national anthem of Australia. A opinion poll, which sampled an revised version of a late nineteenth century patriotic song, it was estimated 60 000 people, three songs were offered for choice: officially declared the national anthem on 19 April, 1984. ‘’, ‘Waltzing The composer was an early advocate of a Matilda’ and ‘Song of Australia’. distinctively Australian anthem; ‘Advance Australia Fair’ polled 51.4 Peter Dodds McCormick, a Scot, of South Australia per cent. Following this result the composed ‘Advance Australia Fair’ wrote ‘The Song of Australia’ then Prime Minister, Gough under the pen-name ‘Amicus’ (1860), which was suggested to the Whitlam, announced that ‘Advance (amicus is the Latin word for then Prime Minister in 1929 as a Australia Fair’ would be the friend). It was first performed in possible national anthem. national anthem, except on on Saint Andrew’s Day, specifically Royal occasions, when Among the competitions held were 1878. Peter McCormick died in 1916 both it and ‘’ one by The Bulletin, which attracted and ‘Advance Australia Fair’ would be played. became free of copyright in 1966. 74 entries, and two by the In 1976, after a change of W. J. Paling & Company, the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1943 and 1945. The government, ‘God Save the Queen’ publishers of the song, described it was reinstated for Royal, vice–regal, as ‘one of the three greatest songs of Commonwealth Jubilee celebrations defence and loyal toast occasions, the British Empire’. The other two competition in 1951 was won by with ‘Advance Australia Fair’ to be were ‘God Save the King’ (or Henry Krips with ‘This Land of played on all other official ‘Queen’) and ‘God Defend New Mine’. occasions. Zealand’. The issue of a truly national anthem In May 1977, however, a national Some of the original words of the was raised persistently before the song have been changed for the 1956 Olympic Games, which were poll was conducted to ascertain the official version. ‘Australia’s sons let held in Melbourne. ‘Advance public choice of a national song. us rejoice’ was the original first line; Australia Fair’ and ‘Waltzing This time over 7 million people this has been replaced with Matilda’ were the two songs most were issued with ballot papers. The ‘Australians all let us rejoice’. In the strongly favoured then as the new results were: ‘Advance Australia third verse of the original song, two anthem. ‘’ was Fair’ 43.2 per cent, ‘Waltzing lines were changed—’To make our composed in 1895, with lyrics by Matilda’ 28.3 per cent, ‘God Save youthful Commonwealth’ became one of Australia’s best known poets, the Queen’ 18.7 per cent and ‘Song ‘To make this Commonwealth of A. B. (‘Banjo’) Paterson. of Australia’ 9.6 per cent. ours’ and ‘For loyal sons beyond On , 26 January, in In April 1984 the Governor–General the seas’ became ‘For those who’ve 1972, the number of entries (400) issued a proclamation declaring that come across the seas’. received in an Australia–wide ‘God Save the Queen’ was How ‘Advance Australia national anthem quest gave an designated the Royal Anthem, to be indication of the interest in a new played at public engagements in Fair’ became the national anthem. Exactly a year later a Australia attended by the Queen or anthem government–sponsored competition members of the Royal family. Although the official anthem was was announced, which drew 2500 ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was ‘God Save the Queen’ (or ‘King’) entries for the words and 1300 for finally declared to be the national from 1788 to 1974, numerous the music. The judges selected six anthem, and non–sexist words commercial and official entries for the words, but rejected adopted. competitions were held over the all the musical entries. Usually ‘God Save the Queen’ is years to find a substitute. The first played at the start of Royal was held in 1840. The polls—and what functions and ‘Advance Australia John Dunmore Lang, who followed Fair’ at the end, unless it is more published an ‘Australian Anthem’ The quest for an Australian national appropriate to play both anthems at and an ‘Australian Hymn’ in 1826, anthem continued. In a 1974 public the start.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is online at www.dfat.gov.au The CD Anthem – Celebration of Australia is available through the mail order service of the Australian Government Information Shop GPO Box 84 ACT 2601 Australia at a cost of A$30 (including postage and packaging). ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR Other Fact Sheets The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Fact Sheets provide a Australians all let us rejoice, range of information in print and online versions. These revised titles are For we are young and free; scheduled for release in 1997: We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; Culture and heritage group Australia: An Introduction Our home is girt by sea; Multicultural Australia Our land abounds in nature’s gifts The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Australian States and Territories Of beauty rich and rare; Education in Australia Australia’s Scientific Achievements In history’s page, let every stage Australian Culture and the Arts Advance Australia Fair. Health Care in Australia The Australian National Anthem In joyful strains then let us sing, Australia’s National Parks Advance Australia Fair. Australia’s Kangaroos Media in Australia Beneath our radiant Southern Cross Communications Government group We’ll toil with hearts and hands; Australia’s System of Government To make this Commonwealth of ours The Federal Ministry The New Australia Australia’s Coat of Arms

Renowned of all the lands; ypesetters For those who’ve come across the seas The Australian Currency

Trade group own & Co T Br We’ve boundless plains to share; Australia’s Trade With courage let us all combine Australia’s Trade with Asia Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation PRODUCTION The Australian Film Industry To Advance Australia Fair. ilton The Australian Wine Industry

In joyful strains then let us sing, Earlier editions of the Fact Sheet Series ilton & W W will remain available at Advance Australia Fair. until replaced. EDITORIAL

Title The Australian National Anthem Responsibility Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Issue designation No. 17 Place published Canberra Date (Version) November 1997 Series DFAT Fact Sheet Series Notes May be updated from time to time; current version online at

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is online at www.dfat.gov.au