IN JOYFUL STRAINS THEN LET US SING

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR.

G’day. 

Copyright Runningonempty.

This morning we attended a gathering on Australia Day. It comprised a few short inoffensive speeches by local dignatories, a poem about a local river written by a local poet, a couple of awards given, a guitar /ukulele performer, and all standing to sing the national anthem. Many enjoyed chatting , especially as some came in from the farmlands. The Rotary Club, a community service group, provided free hot sausages, eggs and bacon, all in sandwiches; tea, coffee and cold drinks. They were set up in a field kitchen, very impressive. Free Australian flags on sticks were given out .

The overall impression was relaxed harmony, “laid back” , light on formality, as is the Aussie way. A great deal of effort goes in, but it looks effortless.

The Seekers-  “We are Australian”:

ACERULES SITTING IN THE BACKGROUND:

On the Australian way of speaking:

Hmm. I’m not sure whether this is a sacrelige to “Advance Australia Fair” or to “Working Class Man”, but it kinda works, if you’re from my generation.

Australian Aboriginals are the oldest people in the world, at over 40,000 years. Therefore some of them object to the words in the national anthem, “For we are young and free.”

Link:

on alternative words to the National anthem