Australian National Anthem

‘Advance Australia Fair’

‘Advance Australia Fair’ is the national anthem of Australia. A revised version of a late nineteenth century patriotic song, it was officially declared the national anthem on 19 April 1984.

The composer

Peter Dodds McCormick, a Scot, composed ‘Advance Australia Fair’ under the pen-name ‘Amicus’ (amicus is the Latin word for ‘friend’). It was first performed in Sydney on Saint Andrew’s Day, 1878.

How ‘Advance Australia Fair’ became the national anthem

The official anthem was ‘God Save the Queen’ (or ‘King’) from 1788 to 1974, although numerous commercial and official competitions were held over the years to find a substitute. The first was held in 1840.

John Dunmore Lang, who published an ‘Australian Anthem’ and an ‘Australian Hymn’ in 1826, was an early advocate of a distinctively Australian anthem. Carl Linger of South Australia wrote ‘The Song of Australia’ in 1860, and it was suggested to the Prime Minister in 1929 as a possible national anthem.

The issue of a truly national anthem was raised persistently before the 1956 Olympic Games, which were held in Melbourne. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’ were the two songs most strongly favoured then as the new anthem. ‘Waltzing Matilda’ was composed in 1895, with lyrics by one of Australia’s best known poets, AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson.

On Australia Day, 26 January, in 1972, the number of entries (more than 400) received in an Australia-wide national anthem quest gave an indication of the interest in a new anthem.

Exactly a year later a government-sponsored competition was announced, which drew 2500 entries for the words and 1300 for the music. The judges selected six entries for the words, but rejected all the musical entries.

The polls and what followed

The quest for an Australian national anthem continued. In 1974 a public opinion poll sampled an estimated 60 000 people to select from three possible anthems: ‘Advance Australia Fair’, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘Song of Australia’. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ polled 51.4 per cent. Following this result the then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, announced that ‘Advance Australia Fair’ would be the national anthem, except on specifically Royal occasions, when both it and ‘God Save the Queen’ would be played.

In 1976, after a change of government, ‘God Save the Queen’ was reinstated for Royal, vice-regal, defence and loyal toast occasions, with ‘Advance Australia Fair’ to be played on all other official occasions.

In May 1977, however, a national poll was conducted to ascertain the public choice of a national song. This time more than seven million people were issued with ballot papers. The results were: ‘Advance Australia Fair’ 43.2 per cent, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ 28.3 per cent, ‘God Save the Queen’ 18.7 per cent and ‘Song of Australia’ 9.6 per cent. Despite the poll results, adoption of the new national anthem met widespread opposition.

It was not until April 1984 that the Governor-General issued a proclamation that ‘God Save the Queen’ was designated the Royal Anthem, to be played at public engagements in Australia attended by the members of the Royal family. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was finally declared to be the Australian national anthem.

Usually ‘God Save the Queen’ is played at the start of Royal functions and ‘Advance Australia Fair’ at the end, unless it is more appropriate to play both anthems at the start. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ is played at all other official functions.

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

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.

Symbolism

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 used at important public ceremonies, sporting and community events.

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 $5,000 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).

The original composition of 'Advance Australia Fair' was written by Peter Dodds McCormick in 1878 and consisted of four verses.

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.

Proclamation

In 1984 the Australian National Anthem, consisting of the tune of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and the verses as drafted by the National Australia Day Council, was proclaimed.

Using the Australian National Anthem

All Australians are encouraged to sing the Australian National Anthem. As an important national symbol it should be treated with respect and dignity. 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 on this section of the site. 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 Queen is in Australia the Royal Anthem is played at the beginning of an official engagement and the Australian National Anthem is played at the end.  On some occasions it may be appropriate to play both anthems at the beginning of the engagement.

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.

Commercial use

The Commonwealth owns copyright in the words of the Australian National Anthem as proclaimed. As copyright owner, the Commonwealth has certain exclusive rights in respect of the Australian National Anthem including the right to authorise third parties to reproduce, perform or communicate the Australian National Anthem to the public.

In order to promote appropriate performance and use of the Australian National Anthem, the Commonwealth allows non-commercial use by the public without case-by-case permissions.

However, permission must be obtained in respect of use of the Australian National Anthem for commercial purposes, including advertising. Any decision to grant permission to use the Australian National Anthem for commercial purposes will be made by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in its absolute discretion and may be subject to conditions including but not limited to the following:

• The tune or the words of the Australian National Anthem may not be modified, parodied or demeaned.

• Alternative words cannot be substituted for the words of the Australian National Anthem.

• The Australian National Anthem may be used in full or in part.

• The tune may be reproduced without the words.

• The words may be reproduced without the accompanying music.

The Australian National Anthem is a national symbol of Australia and should be used with respect and dignity.

Vice-Regal salute

The Vice-Regal salute to be used in the presence of the Governor-General is the first four bars and last four bars of the Australian National Anthem.

Reference