Australian anthem desexed

Press, 13 April 1984, Page 18

Australian anthem desexed

NZPA-AAP Canberra “Advance Australia Fair,” suitably reconstructed to remove the sexist language from two of the verses, is Australia’s official National Anthem by Cabinet decree, the Prime Minister, Mr Hawke, has revealed somewhat prematurely. Overwhelmed by a rendition of the song at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the'National Institute of Dramatic Art in

Sydney, Mr Hawke blurted out that the Cabinet had unanimously decided to use the suitably desexed version as the National Anthem. A poll conducted in conjunction with the 1977 election chose “Advance Australia Fair” as the “National Tune” but “God Save the Queen” was retained for ceremonial occasions when a representative of the Queen, including state Governors, was present. A Government spokesman

said the new words for the first and third verses of the song were chosen by a committee of public servants. The opening line of Peter Dodds McCormick’s song was, “Australia’s sons let us rejoice.” Not any longer. It now says, "Australians an let us rejoice.” The third and fifth line of the third verse were, “To make our youthful Commonwealth” and “For loyal sons beyond the seas.” These lines have been replaced with, “To make this Commonwealth of ours” and “For those who’ve come across the seas.”