Australia's national song : a catalogue and a chronology

Abstract

Australia has taken one hundred and fifty years to acquire a national anthem/song which enjoys even the official recognition which has been accorded Advance Australia Fair. The Australian people have not been unanimous in their choice of the 'most fitting' national anthem for Australia. Attention is drawn to a general ignorance of the nature, and manner of choosing, a national anthem. The histories of various national anthems are traced, showing how they achieved their status. The history of Australia's attempt to find for itself a national anthem is then followed, suggestions being offered as to why most of the various official efforts have failed. There is also a table of contents, a list of plates, a thematic catalogue, an acknowledgements page, a bibliography and an index.