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Australian Anthem
The British brought with them their own government and national symbols when they began to occupy Australia in 1788. This included the British national anthem, ‘God Save the King’ (‘God Save the Queen’ when applicable), which was known as the official anthem of Australia until 1984.
In 1973, the government, which was then led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced a competition for a new Australian national anthem. Of the 250 lyric and 1400 music composition entries into the competition, none are seen as sufficient, and the judges therefore suggest that ‘Advance Australia Fair’, ‘Song of Australia’ or ‘Waltzing Matilda’ would be more appropriate, due to the fact that they were popular Australian songs (National Australia Day Council, Date Unknown).
In 1975, the Whitlam Government was replaced by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser who reinstated ‘God Save the Queen’ as Australia’s main national anthem.
A national plebiscite occurred in 1977 in order to decide on a national song. The results were:
Prime Minister Bob Hawke announced the ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was to be known as Australia’s official national anthem in 1984.
‘Advance Australia Fair’ was written by Peter Dodds McCormick in 1878 as a patriotic tune. The national anthem is sung at official occasions such as school assemblies, Remembrance Day and Anzac Day services (Barwick & Barwick 2000a).
Click here to read about the Coat of Arms.
