Australian National Anthem


In 1973 Australia began looking for an Australian National Anthem to replace God Save the Queen; the Anthem of the United Kingdom.

The final choice was made from three songs, 'Advance Australia Fair', 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'Song of Australia'.

The Bureau of Statistics ran a national poll of 60,000 people and 'Advance Australia Fair' was chosen by over 50 per cent of those people. 'Waltzing Matilda .... which would have got my vote....... got just over 19 per cent of the vote.

Advance Australia Fair was officially proclaimed as the National Anthem in 1984.



Australian National Anthem 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;

Australian National Anthem

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.


"The Legend of Bimi"

Introduction

There's a tale that begins in the sand hills
That I would like to tell,
Built from myth and many legends,
And my pen it does compel.

The desert's a hot, a hostile place,
Nothing's changed since time began,
There's a hazy unreality there
As if it, in the dreamtime was planned.

The noon of the day is so hot and still,
And over all an expectant hush,
Like a canvas that's waiting impatiently
For the touch of the artists brush.

The fire of the day can change swifly
To the night of startlingly cold,
Many legends are told of the people
Who live in this land so old.


To continue to read the introduction to this wonderful piece of poetry our Mother wrote called
"The Legend of Bimi" just go to our
Epic Poetry
page

We know you will love it!