Up until 1974 Australia used the British song "God Save The Queen" as its National Anthem.  In 1973, the then Prime Minister in his Australia Day address to the Nation declared that a competition would be held to find a new Australian National Anthem, and therefore further loosen our ties to Great Britain.  Although there were literally thousands of entries, both in lyrical and musical form, none were considered by the judges to be suitable as a National Anthem.  They recommended that one of three existing songs  be considered. 

Those songs were :-

(1) Advance Australia Fair.

(2) Waltzing Matilda. (See Australian Poetry for more on this song), and

(3) Song Of Australia.


After an opinion poll was held on 8th April 1974, it became apparent that the choice was going to really be between two songs :- "Advance Australia Fair" and "Waltzing Matilda".  Following the poll the Australia Government announced that from that date, "Advance Australia Fair" was to be Australia's National Anthem.  However "God Save The Queen" was still to be played if any member of British Royalty was present.

There was a change of Government in December 1975, and the new Government announced, that "Advance Australia Fair" was to be used, without words, on any non-regal occasions, and "God Save The Queen" was to be used on all Royal, Vice-Regal, Defence and Loyal Toast Occasions.  This meant that for some time Australia really had two National Anthems, and which one was to be used depended on the occasion.

In 1984, after yet another change of Government, "Advance Australia Fair" was finally proclaimed as Australia's National Anthem.  "Advance Australia Fair" was to be played on all official and ceremonial occasions.  "God Save The Queen" became the "Royal Anthem", and was only to be played when the Queen, or other members of the Royal Family were present.

This proclamation was made on 19th April 1984, and "Advance Australia Fair" was used at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, for the first time as Australia's National Anthem.  Prior to that "God Save The Queen" had been used.

The song "Advance Australia Fair" was composed by Scottish born Peter Dodds McCormick. (1834 ~ 1916).  The ©Copyright to the song ended in 1966, fifty years after McCormick's death.

Changes were also made to McCormick's original words as follows :-

(1) Verse 1, Line 1 ~ Originally :- "Australia's sons, let us rejoice".  The alteration reads :- "Australian's all let us rejoice."

(2) Verse 3, Line 3 ~ Originally :- "To make our youthful Commonwealth".  The alteration reads :- "To make this Commonwealth of ours."

(3) Verse 3, Line 5 ~ Originally :- "For loyal sons beyond the seas."  The alteration reads :- "For those who've come across the seas."

Note:- Verses Two, Four and Five are rarely sung, as they refer mostly to British heritage.

So here is the full version of Australia's National Anthem.

Footnote:-

There are many who state that there is a "Missing Verse" to the above song, that begins with the line "With Christ our head and cornerstone", and that it should be included.   This issue has been researched in great depth and  that verse was not written by Peter Dodds McCormack as part of the original song.  It is believed to have been written in Sydney at the beginning of the twentieth century, by an unknown Minister.  The story that it is a "Missing Verse" and has been purposely left out, has become one of those Urban Legends, and there will always be those who refuse to accept the facts.

If one reads the words to the alleged "Missing Verse" it can be seen that they do not really fit in with the general tone of the original by Peter Dodds McCormick and certainly seem to be more likely to have been written at a later time.  I am unsure as to where in the song the "Missing Verse" is supposed to be sung, but I believe that it is meant to be the sixth and final verse.

So here below is the reported "Missing Verse", read it for yourself, and make your own decision if it would be from the original song.

There is still some opposition to this being Australia's National Anthem, and it seems that the debate for a suitable song is to be an ongoing one.  Although the relevant verses are not usually sung, many feel that the references to Britain are not in line with a modern day Australia.  There have been, and will always be suggestions to alternatives, one of which is "I Am Australian" written in the 1960's, which I will include in my "Other Australian Poetry Section".