Critics say the use of the word “young” disregards the fact that Indigenous Australians are one of the oldest cultures in the world. I think that includes both parties as well. “No, we should not change our national anthem.” – Joy Anne “All national anthems are a bit silly. It’s only 35 years old. #QandA pic.twitter.com/2OacxSEndy. 5. Some Americans are calling for a new national anthem amid the nationwide trend of removing monuments, statues and other symbols that have ties to slavery. "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. Words can make us feel welcomed or they can make us feel excluded," she said, adding these conversations around anthems and flags weren't the only conversations we need to be having. All Australian states and territories, plus the Commonwealth, have punishments for crimes. However, 116 years on and there is a debate on why the Australian flag should be changed. Cannon-Brookes said he had changed his mind about the anthem after watching Briggs’s video. ", Calls are growing to change the Australian national anthem to include our Indigenous history.Today, the campaign has a surprising new ally, in Gladys Berejiklian. 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. 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. Australia is no longer a country that acts as part of the British Empire. 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. The current Australian national anthem was signed off by former prime minister Bob Hawke in 1984, and voted on by referendum. But also there is a broader community that the anthem speaks to as well. "If we spent the same amount of time talking about incarceration rates, talking about poor health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands people or treaty and Indigenous governance, if we spent as much time talking about those really important issues as well as these then maybe we might see more change happening.". Briggs told Q&A on Monday night he had not stood for the national anthem since he was 13 or 14. which advocates changing the date of Australia Day. 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. Sure, change them. Why one tiny change would advance our anthem Changing just one word of Advance Australia Fair will mean a lot — and it will preserve our traditional and conservative anthem… A newspaper owned by @Channel7 adverse to a black opinion?! Post continues below audio. Before 1984, Australia's national anthem 'Advance Australia Fair' started with the line: "Australian sons, let us rejoice." Advance Australia Fair was written in 1878 by ‎Peter Dodds McCormick but was not adopted as the national anthem until 1984, replacing God Save the Queen. It changed the way I thought about the anthem. It’s not possible to accurately determine how many people ‘cried or whinged’ since then. Adopting a new national flag would be no different. Now, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has expressed her support for changing that one word: 'young'. Post continues below video. I agree it should be changed. #qanda, I have absolutely no connection to our anthem and would love to sing a better one #qanda, Imagine the anthem in Indigenous languages. "I think what's really important when we think about any of these types of changes is that we should be guided by what it is we're trying to do or trying to achieve. image caption The Australian national anthem does not unify everyone, some argue On Wednesday, a nine-year-old girl reignited debate about Australia's national anthem by explaining why … Against this background, and considering the zeitgeist of the time, it is not surprising that Australia's Aboriginal people, and their timeless … #QandA pic.twitter.com/RStc7RswpM. Lawyer and campaigner @teelareid shares her thoughts on what more can be done to include our First Nations people. Please sign in to contribute to the Mamamia Community. She received a lunchtime detention from her school, and faced the ire of politicians and media. “I always get the kickback,” he said. Watch: The Stolen Generations: Why I can't 'get over it'. "Though, my listener didn't use the word backside.". Substituting “one” for “young” in the opening couplet of Advance Australia Fair is the right thing, and it’s not a big ask. Australia changed its National Anthem from God Save The Queen to Advance Australia Fair in 1984. To stand in front of the largest live audience you are ever likely to see and perform the national anthem. It is what great art should do, it made you think about it and it changed my opinion. Advance Australia Fair is no dancefloor banging Hey Ya, Ben Pobjie writes. 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. Briggs has not stood for the anthem since he was 13 or 14 years old. "Someone needs to give this girl a bit of a lesson. In a special episode to mark Sydney’s Vivid festival, he was joined on the panel by the actor and writer Faustina Agolley, the billionaire founder of Atlassian Mike Cannon-Brookes, the CSIRO chief executive, Larry Marshall, and the cyberpsychologist Jocelyn Brewer. Again, something that can be easily changed to include all Australians and there is a carry on from the perpetually offended whites. She said there is a link between the symbols and the actions: The symbols needed to be backed up with action, and when the actions happen, we need the symbols to represent them. The first verse of the poem has become the national anthem of America, but scholars and activists are asking for the song to be replaced. Can we change everybody in the country? The video was prompted by the news a group of Indigenous rugby league players would not sing the anthem at last week’s State of Origin match. Or, as one of my listeners said using the lingo of my old man, a good kick up the backside," Alan Jones said on his 2GB breakfast show. On Monday night Briggs dismissed the backlash, saying he tried to push himself out of his comfort zone because “change doesn’t come from being comfortable”. One of the bigger news stories this week was the young girl in Queensland who refused to stand up for the national anthem – Advance Australia Fair – on the grounds that she thought it was not inclusive of indigenous Australians. In NAIDOC week 2020 (with the theme 'Always Was, Always Will Be') all about recognising and celebrating that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years, the calls for change are once again making waves. Australian athlete Richard Coleman said: "That is one incredible national anthem. “We Are One” was the anthem we chose for the moment the Marriage Equality Bill passed #QandA, why are we focusing so much on the flag and anthem? If you're not already a Mamamia member, sign up (it's easy, we promise). Just do it. AUSTRALIA has a terrible national anthem. “It’s about acknowledgment for Indigenous people,” he said. Substitute the word ‘strong’ for young and it sounds great. The same proclamation made "Advance Australia Fair" the national anthem and the basis for the "Vice-Regal Salute" (the first four and last two bars of the anthem). "I feel upset when others don't feel the anthem reflects them. Last month I was invited by the AFL to sing Advance Australia … The Victorian musician said he wanted to provide a “scoreboard” to Australia that showed the disadvantages faced by First Nations people. A growing number of athletes are using their celebrity status to speak out on social issues. “So I don’t think a lot of people are that attached to the actual anthem. Pompous, ridiculously over patriotic to the point where the words are almost meaningless. 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. Asked which lyrics he did not agree with, he singled out “the idea that Australia is young and free … when Indigenous people are some of the most incarcerated people on the face of the earth”. 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. January 26 does have historical significance. pic.twitter.com/7uKrkJnNXc. I’m with Gladys. Mundine said the reaction of outrage and offense over just one word is telling. We have known for a long time that not all Australians feel represented by the national anthem, but stating so comes with a risk. "Advance Australia Fair" is the national anthem of Australia. As an athlete every time the Australian anthem is performed it should be done this way. But such protests can sometimes spark a backlash among fans, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like the national anthem. Three generations of the Ingrey family refuse to sing the national anthem. Why It Should Not Be Changed The Australian flag was designed in 1901 after a competition was held to allow Australians to design our own flag – something that had never been done before. Why change the national anthem? ‘I don’t think anyone is really that attached to it,’ Indigenous rapper says to applause, Last modified on Tue 11 Jun 2019 00.06 BST. "We need to recognise our Aboriginal heritage and to say we're young and free... it ignores the fact that they've inhabited the continent," Ms Berejiklian told Today. Just one word: The Quicky explores Australia's anthem problem. The Australian national anthem has not been changed since 1984. 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. The Australian National Anthem is an important national symbol of Australia and should be treated with respect and dignity. Mundine said changing the word 'young' is a starting point, but it wasn't a magical fix. But given the current climate in this country, maybe it’s time for a change. 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. 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. Wow! ‘A slap on the wrist’ is not included in any Australian crimes act as a punishment. ", She said she appreciated how important it is "to bring people together, how important it is to include our history in total and that's why I'm supporting this one word change, which I hope will make a difference. Prior to 1984, "God Save the Queen" was the national anthem of Australia. one line in particular - "For we are young and free". “And our place in Australia as the first people of Australia, being here for 60,000-plus years.”. The debate over whether or not to change Australia’s national anthem has been an ongoing one – and there’s one song they want it changed to. Change the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/1M6o7AWIxb. 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. 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