Australian National Anthem
The Australian National Anthem, proclaimed in 1984, identifies Australia at home and overseas. It unites the nation and is a public expression of joy and pride in being Australian.
The Australian National Anthem is a national symbol of Australia and should be used with respect and dignity.
About this tool
Information in this tool is reproduced from the Australian Government's Its An Honour website, http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/anthem.cfm.
Why use this tool?
- It provides you with advice and guidelines on appropriate use and protocols for singing or playing the Australian National Anthem.
- It provides information about access to further information, to various performances of the Anthem both orchestral and vocal and to the lyrics.
- You will avoid causing disrespect or hurt and embarrassment through lack of knowledge or misinformation.
RESOURCE ONE - History
In 1973 a competition was held for a distinctively Australian national anthem. The Australian National Anthem Quest was run in two stages by the Australia Council for the Arts. The first stage for lyrics attracted more than 1400 entries. The second stage for music received 1200 entries. A prize of $5000 was offered for each stage.
The judges decided the entries did not meet the high standards of Australia’s traditional songs Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda and Song of Australia.
The Australia Council for the Arts recommended the final choice for the national anthem should be made from these three songs.
The Bureau of Statistics ran a national poll of 60 000 people. Advance Australia Fair was favoured by 51.4 per cent of the people followed by Waltzing Matilda (19.6 per cent).
In 1974 Advance Australia Fair was adopted as the Australian National Anthem; however in 1976 God Save The Queen was reinstated.
In 1977 the Australian Electoral Office conducted a poll for the national anthem tune in conjunction with a referendum. The tune Advance Australia Fair was the preferred option.
In 1981 the National Australia Day Council recommended that the Australian National Anthem consist of two verses of Advance Australia Fair with some modification.
In 1984, Advance Australia Fair was officially adopted as Australia's National Anthem.
RESOURCE TWO - Using the Australian National Anthem
The Australian National Anthem is used at important public ceremonies, sporting and community events. All Australians are encouraged to sing the Australian National Anthem.
There are protocols for use of the Australian National Anthem.
The Commonwealth owns copyright in the words of the Australian National Anthem as proclaimed. It also holds copyright to particular arrangements of music of the Australian National Anthem, which are available for download from http://itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/anthem.cfm.
As copyright owner, the Commonwealth makes the Australian National Anthem freely available for use within the community for non-commercial purposes.
While permission is not required to use, perform or record the Australian National Anthem for non-commercial purposes, there is a requirement to seek permission for commercial use of the anthem. The words and music are in the public domain.
Protocols
The Australian National Anthem is an important national symbol of Australia and should be used with respect and dignity. These protocols are to assist you when singing or using the Australian National Anthem.
- On all official and ceremonial occasions, the Australian National Anthem is used. The Royal Anthem, ‘God Save The Queen’, is used in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen or a member of the Royal Family.
- When the Australian National Anthem is played with the anthem of another nation the practice is to play the anthem of the visiting nation first.
- When the Australian National Anthem is played at a ceremony or public event it is customary to stand and be silent.
- Traditionally, only the first verse of the Australian National Anthem is used but both verses can be used.
- The Australian National Anthem should not be modified and alternative words should not be used. The two authorised verses of the Australian National Anthem were proclaimed in 1984.
RESOURCE THREE — Lyrics
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts;
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands,
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands,
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share,
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair.
Downloads
The It's An Honour website (http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/anthem.cfm) has resources for downloading including:
• the words of the Australian National Anthem
• the music scores for orchestra, brass band, choir and piano for the Australian National Anthem
• an audio file of The Australian National Anthem
• an audio-visual performance on DVD and an audio CD of the anthem available.
Related tools
Flags and flag flying
National Symbols
References
National Anthem, Its An Honour website, Australian Government, http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/anthem.cfm
URLs
Advance Australia Dare
http://advanceaustraliadare.com.au/
