Many Indigenous Australians want to sing the anthem, but as it exists, it doesn't acknowledge their existence. Why we should change the date. Until we can even decide on who we are we may as well whistle into the wind. Walker says ‘Advance Australia Fair’ doesn’t represent him or his family, and he is not comfortable singing it, and Meninga wants a national vote, saying that since the anthem was officially adopted in … Kelly says he doesn’t want to see anymore boycotts because they “spread like a contagion”. people told me we should change the national anthem. Credit:Emma Murray. Indigenous soprano Deborah Cheetham refused to sing the anthem at the 2015 AFL grand final although she knew it was an honour. We must, at least, presume that they have because they want our anthem changed. "Our national anthem tells us that we are young and free," she said. As an athlete every time the Australian anthem is performed it should … Don’t agree that it would make a better national anthem? Anyway apparently none were considered good enough. Former Victorian Supreme Court judge Peter Vickery, QC, who founded the anthem project, said that this change replaces an "outmoded and hurtful word" with "one that sings of the unifying values at the core of the Australian spirit". All times AEDT (GMT +11). "Personally, I support the Australian national anthem and encourage all Australians to sing it with pride," he said. Blindly, many Australians continue to accept this. "A change in a single word can make a big difference," he said. Why don’t they write an aboriginal anthem using their own language. We should not change it because it represents how the us won the war and are flag was still standing. "Australia didn't even exist when the anthem was written and we adopted it about 40 years ago. Members of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir will perform a new version of the national anthem that they're happy to sing on Sunday at the Desert Song Festival. ADVANCE Australia Fair should be ditched as the national anthem for I am Australian, Jeff Kennett says. It can be sung right after the national anthem at each major event. Formed in 2017, the Recognition in Anthem Project group worked with Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups to develop a song that was easy to sing, and which everyone felt they could sing, said committee member Dr Martin Haskett. It was first officially proposed in 1974 to replace “God Save the Queen,” which had been the national anthem from 1788 to 1974 and which, in 1984, was designated the royal anthem, to be played at public appearances of 1. “We have a very proud Indigenous culture of tens of thousands of years on this continent, so to say we are young and free ignores that. However, after the declaration of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, many Australians felt they should have their own Australian national anthem. Source(s): https://shrinke.im/a9pew. why not they changed everything here. To join the conversation, please Log in. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. The Australian people deserve a national anthem that represents both the present and the past. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. "We surely cannot accept an anthem which Indigenous people find difficult, if not impossible to sing," writes Mr Vickery in an editorial in the Herald. Ms Berejiklian has called for a change to the lyrics of the anthem so it declares “we are one and free” instead of we are “young and free”. Obviously being manipulated by her wacko parents she should not be suspended she should be expelled and Children’s Services should be involved to see if they are fit parents. 4 years ago. A new second verse recognises the "first people of this land", and a new third verse - using some lines from the existing second verse - conveys the spirit of modern Australia where we work together even when "all but hope is gone". Answer Save. Many of you would have voted in that plebiscite and today, we are asking you to participate in a mini plebiscite of sorts. Why one tiny change would advance our anthem. Advance Australia Fair" was chosen by 51.4% of respondents and, on 9 April of that year, Whitlam announced in parliament that it was the national anthem. Then they decided to have some sort of competition where the general public were to submit songs etc. National anthem: Changing one word means nothing while we continue to fail the people we’re trying to impress Andrew Bolt: Gladys Berejiklian’s push to change our national anthem is a con “Apologies to the writer but it’s also poorly crafted lyrically, is largely meaningless sentimentality and is a substandard melody. The Australian public is not attached to the national anthem because it is only 35 years old and the “song’s just not that good”, the Indigenous rapper Briggs has said. Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson says Australia should be guided by Indigenous Australians in the debate over changing a word in the national anthem. “People are, perhaps, looking for little rays of sunshine, things to hang on to.”. Earlier this year, Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman also supported the push to change the lyrics of Advance Australia Fair. Josh Addo-Carr, his Blues teammate Cody Walker and others were. The song won a … Let's make 'I am Australian' our national anthem, or at least our national song, says David Donovan — 'Advance Australia Fair' just doesn't cut it anymore. Australian singer-songwriter Shane Howard told The Sydney Morning Heraldin 2018 that our national anthem “is an anthem that is racist on so many levels, written for a white Australia that is irrelevant, or should be”. Nationwide News Pty Limited Copyright © 2020. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images. Former Victorian Supreme Court judge Peter Vickery, QC, who founded the anthem project, said that this change replaces an "outmoded and hurtful word" with "one that sings of the unifying values at the core of the Australian spirit". In contrast to Advance Australia Fair – which is often criticised for its lack of inclusive lyrics – the popular 1987 tune has a stronger message of unity, and multiple historic and cultural references. A Coalition MP believes "it is probably a good time" to revise the Australian national anthem to "represent Australia in the 21st century" and the values that "encapsulates everything we are." It replaced God Save the Queen as our national anthem in 1984, after a plebiscite to choose a new anthem was carried out in 1977. can someone please give me some reasons to why we should keep it. Change our national anthem are you joking change it to what Muslim Knights. Before 1984, Australia's national anthem 'Advance Australia Fair' started with the line: "Australian sons, let us rejoice." During a segement on the The Weekly, he explained why the anthem was problematic. “We had a great game of football last night – that’s what we should be talking about and celebrating." When the anthem was changed in 1984 because it made no reference to women, the then prime minister Bob Hawke used his executive powers to change "Australia's sons" to "Australians all let us rejoice". "As an Aboriginal person, I have never felt connected to the version I was taught growing up," he said. Developed by a non-profit called the Recognition in Anthem Project, the new version makes a one-word change to the first verse to recognise that Aboriginal people have lived here for more than 60,000 years. Not everyone supports a change. This is indefensible.". Lv 7. Just do it. Advance Australia Fair, national anthem of Australia, adopted on April 19, 1984. We adopted our own National Anthem without it being thought of as disrespectful to our ex-servicemen who fought wars for Australia under a different national anthem. poog. We shouldnot change are national anthem. Children attend school to learn nothing else. Blindly, many Australians continue to accept this. Watching the rehearsals of the anthem by Indigenous singers has been very moving, he said. The basic reason why we should change the Australian Flag is that the flag no longer represents what Australia is and what Australia wants to be. But she continued to sing the "inclusive and beautifully written lyrics" written by Judith Durham with Mutti Mutti man Kutcha Edwards, and encouraged others to do so too. We’re ok with that too. “We had a great game of football last night – that’s what we should be talking about and celebrating." On Sunday, a new version of Advance Australia Fair will be sung by a massive Aboriginal choir at the Desert Song Festival in Alice Springs, the Northern Territory. I am ok with that. And it's not 'Imagine.' It was decided by those who know that it needed to be changed. The current Australian national anthem was signed off by former prime minister Bob Hawke in 1984, and voted on by referendum. AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM 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. We should change the national anthem to "This Land Is Your Land" and erect a statue of Woody Guthrie. It can be sung right after the national anthem at each major event. After all, the new country longed for its own "Australia culture". Members of the Central Australian Aboriginal choir, pictured last year, will sing a new version of the anthem on Sunday. RELATED: ‘Sick of it’: Anthem change push grows. Advance Australia Fair, national anthem of Australia, adopted on April 19, 1984. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Don't have an account? The Australian National Anthem is an important national symbol of Australia and should be treated with respect and dignity. “I think it would be appropriate for us to acknowledge that we are all united and we have a very proud, long history of Indigenous First Nations here in Australia and I think that should be reflected in our anthem.”, RELATED: Four Origin stars boycott national anthem, The debate over Australia’s national anthem has been ongoing. “Firstly I don’t want to see the national anthem become a point of division in our nation,” Kelly told Sunrise. All Australians are encouraged to sing the Australian National Anthem and these protocols are to assist you when singing or performing the Anthem at a ceremony or public event. Sydney COVID-19 New Year’s Eve: 1000 people could be infecte... Altona Beach: Teenage girl sexually assaulted by man on jet ... Alvin Prasad: Missing swimmer at Surfers Paradise identified. It replaces the word "young" with "one" so that the first two lines read: "Australians all let us rejoice/ For we are one, and free.". Three generations of the Ingrey family refuse to sing the national anthem. But it’s not true. Early results from news.com.au’s poll on which iconic Aussie song should replace the anthem showed that out of close to 4000 voters, 37 per cent think we should change our national song to The Seekers’ I Am Australian. 0. 5 years ago. Since the proclamation of the Australian colonies in 1788 "God save the Queen" had been Australia's national anthem. It doesn't but it does so better than our previous national anthem "God Save the Queen". — Greg Belvedere ‍♂️ (@GregMBelvedere) June 21, 2020 Patriots will not allow this! “But then it keeps doing it, and at various critical times for us as Australians – none more so than right now, of course,” he said. The lyric change has gained increasing attention as multiple Indigenous NRL players refuse to sing the anthem and say it does not reflect their story as First Nations people. But it’s not true. Advance Australia Fair is no dancefloor banging Hey Ya, Ben Pobjie writes. Many Indigenous Australians want to sing the anthem, but as it exists, it doesn't acknowledge their existence. It replaces the word "young" with the word "one" and adds a new verse that recognises 60,000 years of continued existence by Aboriginal Australians. 0 0. tentofield. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is the latest person to weigh in on the controversial call to change the anthem. The anthem was first performed in 1878, but has had the lyrics revised three times to adjust to significant social and political change. In tomorrow's Herald Sun, I have been told Jeff Kennett will be saying that the song I am Australian should be our national anthem, or at least our national song. 7 Answers. The most famou… "I came from the dream-time, From the dusty red-soil plains". If it makes the anthem easier for our Indigenous brothers and sisters to embrace, then that is wonderful. writes Mr Vickery in an editorial in the Herald. Likewise, changing “young” to “one” does not diminish our anthem, it enhances and improves it. The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that the anthem was an important national symbol. Let's make 'I am Australian' our national anthem, or at least our national song, says David Donovan — 'Advance Australia Fair' just doesn't cut it anymore. Mr Vickery said the anthem can be made more inclusive without an expensive referendum or plebiscite. Credit:Emma Murray. Kelly says he doesn’t want to see anymore boycotts because they “spread like a contagion”. Mr Ingrey said any version that acknowledged Aboriginal peoples' long-standing connection to the land should be welcomed by all. A poet wrote this song during the war all the other songs the us wants to change it to talks about nothing obout how we won the war and we go freedom. So, yes, we should have a modified national anthem – none of the choices presented seem good, but one can take parts out of these options and maybe make a new one.” – George “Anything is better than that lullaby we have now.” – Old Geezer “Children should learn the anthem out of respect for our country. We are 'one', not 'young': Change to national anthem proposed. It had just officially replaced 'God Save The Queen' as the anthem, but not before the Prime Minister of the time Bob Hawke requested a change to the opening line (now "Australians all let us rejoice") to be more inclusive. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. Most people only know the words to the first verse, but the small change was very significant to those who find it hurtful. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has leant her voice to the push to change national anthem to better reflect Australia’s Indigenous history. AUSTRALIA has a terrible national anthem. The basic reason why we should change the Australian Flag is that the flag no longer represents what Australia is and what Australia wants to be. A change in a single word can make a big difference. Why We Should Change the National Anthem to ‘America the Beautiful’ It's a better expression of our republican aspirations to be humble and good. “I feel hurt for people who don’t feel that the national anthem includes them,” she said on Sunrise. We’re ok with that too. The rest of the first verse is unchanged, recognising that it means a great deal to many Australians, he said. Lv 4. Her comments come after New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she believed in changing the national anthem to better reflect Australia’s Indigenous history. The change … The NSW Premier is leading calls for changes to Australia's national anthem to make it more inclusive. Members of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir will perform a new version of the national anthem that they're happy to sing on Sunday at the Desert Song Festival. Ms Berejiklian this week – which happens to be NAIDOC Week – called for a change to the lyrics of the anthem so it declares “we are one and free” instead of “we are young and free”. So, yes, we should have a modified national anthem – none of the choices presented seem good, but one can take parts out of these options and maybe make a new one.” – George “Anything is better than that lullaby we have now.” – Old Geezer “Children should learn the anthem out of respect for our country. My point is that if we were to go to all the effort and expense and national soul-searching involved in choosing a new national anthem it's pretty much guaranteed that the majority of people won't like it, and we'll end up in exactly the same situation we're in now. "But it’s not true. It was first officially proposed in 1974 to replace “God Save the Queen,” which had been the national anthem from 1788 to 1974 and which, in 1984, was designated the royal anthem, to be played at public appearances of members of the British royal family. Why don’t they write an aboriginal anthem using their own language. Chris Ingrey, the chief executive of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, doesn't sing it. Created by the Scottish-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick, the song was first performed in 1878 and sung in Australia as a patriotic song.It replaced "God Save the Queen" as the official national anthem in 1984, following a plebiscite to choose the national song in 1977 It comes after Premier Berejiklian called for the lyrics 'We are young and free' to be changed to 'We are one and free' in the Australian national anthem. Our National Anthem is one of Australia′s symbols as is our National Flag. It’s time for the whinging faux patriotic grown-ups to grow up,” he said. Keep America Great! Mr Vickery's heart was "more or less in the right place" she told The Sydney Morning Herald and Age. mangiafico. Should we change the Australian national anthem? The Australian public is not attached to the national anthem because it is only 35 years old and the “song’s just not that good”, the Indigenous rapper Briggs has said. Picture: Luke DrewSource:News Corp Australia. Australian athlete Richard Coleman said: "That is one incredible national anthem. On Breakfast with Dan Bourchier Our national anthem tells us that we are young and free. Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson says Australia should be guided by Indigenous Australians in the debate over changing a word in the national anthem. Bruce Woodley, The Seekers’ guitarist and the ballad’s co-writer, told the ABC earlier this year he was “surprised” by “how deep (the song) went into the national consciousness over the years”. But such protests can sometimes spark a backlash among fans, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like the national anthem. just let it be said I don't agree with any of it, you should not change what your country was built on Substituting “one” for “young” in the opening couplet of Advance Australia Fair is the right thing, and it’s not a big ask. While marketed as a day of celebration, January 26 marks the day that Australia’s First Nations people lost their country. A growing number of athletes are using their celebrity status to speak out on social issues. It was to be used on all occasions excepting those of a specifically regal nature. "It's not something that has been there for hundreds of years, this demonstrates that there is no reason that it can't change again," said Mr Haskett. Cast your vote below. Indigenous footballers Josh Addo-Carr, his Blues teammate Cody Walker and others were criticised as unpatriotic by some when they refused to sing the anthem. AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM 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. "Causing hurt has no place in our anthem. Australia changed its National Anthem from God Save The Queen to Advance Australia Fair in 1984. I am considering starting an online petition on whether Australia should change their national anthem to I am Australian but I'm not sure if this is the best song option and what people would think of it, also I have a few reasons on why we should change it but I want some other peoples opinions! Julie Power is a senior reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald. We have the English language, our laws came from Britain, our constitution derived from Britain but then became totally Australian. Everyone takes pride in its performance. "Advance Australia Fair is an anthem that is racist at so many levels, written for a white Australia that is irrelevant, or should be. I am considering starting an online petition on whether Australia should change their national anthem to I am Australian but I'm not sure if this is the best song option and what people would think of it, also I have a few reasons on why we should change it … Why change the national anthem? While at school she should do as she is told as generations have before her. But if we are ever attacked by an outside adversary, as we were on 9/11, we will need to put those differences aside and stand together because, as our founders reminded us, “United we stand, divided we fall.” When we all stand in silence at the playing of the national anthem it’s a reminder to me that we are still one nation under God. Our National Anthem was the British Anthem "God Save the Queen". The current anthem "Advance Australia Fair" lacks lyrics that truly represent this country. It happens to be more accurate anyway. Australia is no longer a country that acts as part of the British Empire. In tomorrow's Herald Sun, I have been told Jeff Kennett will be saying that the song I am Australian should be our national anthem, or at least our national song. I know it, you know it, and on the increasing rare occasions that our Olympians win gold medals the rest of the world knows it too. ADVANCE Australia Fair should be ditched as the national anthem for I am Australian, Jeff Kennett says. It's a fresh attempt to prompt a national conversation about how to make the anthem something that everyone can sing. Like Reply. The debate over whether or not to change Australia’s national anthem has been an ongoing one – and there’s one hit many would like to see replace Advance Australia Fair. Gladys Berejiklian says the "one word change" should be altered within Advance Australia … Using the poll result of 51.4 per cent in favour of Advance Australia Fair, the then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced in April 1974 that this would be the country's national anthem, with God Save the Queen still be retained for all regal occasions. As an athlete every time the Australian anthem is performed it should be done this way. Setting aside for a moment 70,000 years of Indigenous cultures, 114 years on from Federation and 227 years into colonisation, at the very least, those words don’t reflect who we are," she wrote in The Conversation. It replaces the word "young" with the word "one" and adds a new verse that recognises 60,000 years of continued existence by Aboriginal Australians. Relevance. The Wallabies players embrace during the playing of the Australian National Anthem in Brisbane last week. A spokesman for Whitlam later stated that the Government regarded the tune primarily as the national anthem. "Advance Australia Fair" is the national anthem of Australia. Neither does his father or his 15-year-old son. When Peter Dodds McCormick wrote Australia's anthem, Advanced Australia Fair, in 1878 his world view was heavily influenced by the church and the Department of Education for which he worked most of his life. Australia National Song. Associate Prof White said most Australians felt "fairly apathetic" towards the anthem, with people often accusing it of having dated language. Change the national anthem. Australia is no longer a country that acts as part of the British Empire. "When they sing for '60,000 years or more', there is a strong thrust to it, it is very powerful.". An anthem wraps and enfolds a nation’s character. But then a national anthem should not aspire to be a catchy pop song to wave your lighter to. A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. Sign up, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. Prior to that, Australia's national anthem was God Save the Queen. If we have a national anthem that offends our Indigenous people, let’s see what all of Australia thinks. For example, English footballer Raheem Sterling has been praised for tackling racism in the sport, while Australian rugby player David Pocock was a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage. Liberal Queensland MP Andrew Laming says the second verse needs a rewrite. I’m with Gladys. even our new dollar coin does not even say " In god we trust" and we don't say "on nation under god" in our pledge in schools. Changing just one word of Advance Australia Fair will mean a lot — and it will preserve our traditional and conservative anthem. 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