Vanessa de Largie | Topic Media | April 20, 2012
Heated discussions and official competitions about ‘What should be Australia’s National Anthem?’ date back to 1840, when Aussies rallied together to give the bump to ‘God Save The Queen’ and find something more suitable and more Australian.
Before the 1956 Olympic Games, which were held in Melbourne, the topic arose again about finding a truly national anthem.
In 1974, a public opinion poll was taken, sampling 60,000 people to select from 3 options – Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda and Song of Australia. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ won the opinion poll, with Gough Whitlam then declaring it our national song.
Thirty-eight years have passed and the topic is still as hot as ever. Is Advance Australia Fair the most suitable option? Or should we have the lyrical Waltzing Matilda by Australia’s beloved poet Banjo Patterson? Perhaps you have other suggestions?
What should be Australia’s National Anthem?
Comment below and let us know your thoughts, cos after all,
I am, you are, we are Australian.