"Advance Australia Fair" is the official national anthem of Australia. Created by the Scottish-born composer, Peter Dodds McCormick, the song was first performed in 1878, but did not gain its status as the official anthem until 1984. Until then, the song was sung in Australia as a patriotic song. In order for the song to become the anthem, it had to face a vote between the Royal anthem God Save the Queen, the "unofficial anthem" Waltzing Matilda and Song of Australia. Other songs and marches have been influenced by Advance Australia Fair, such as the Australian Vice-Regal salute.
The earliest known sound recording of Advance Australia Fair appears in "The Landing of the Australian Troops in Egypt", circa 1916, a short commercial recording dramatising arrival of the Australian troops in Egypt en route to Gallipoli.
Read more about Advance Australia Fair: Lyrics, Copyright, Orchestral Version, Development of Lyrics, Alternative Christian Verse
Famous quotes containing the words advance, australia and/or fair:
“It is the object of learning, not only to satisfy the curiosity and perfect the spirits of ordinary men, but also to advance civilization.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
“I like Australia less and less. The hateful newness, the democratic conceit, every man a little pope of perfection.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“The reivers they stole Fair Annie,
As she walked by the sea;
But a noble knight was her ransom soon,
Wi’ gowd and white monie.”
—Unknown. Fair Annie (l. 1–4)