Advance Australia Fair has been Australia's official national anthem since 1984.
Peter Dodds McCormick, a Scot, wrote and composed "Advance Australia Fair". The song was first performed in Sydney on Saint Andrew's Day, 1878.
Since the proclamation of the Australian colonies in 1788 "God save the
Queen" had been Australia's national anthem. However, after the
declaration of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, many Australians
felt they should have their own Australian national anthem. After all,
the new country longed for its own "Australia culture".
The process of finding the right anthem took more than 80 years. Especially during the wars, the feeling that the country should have an own anthem representing Australia, and its people, prevailed. However, it took until the 1970s that several polls and competitions were held. After a long process a conclusion was found.
A few words and phrases from the original song Advance Australia Fair were changed to meet with political correctness, and make it the anthem of all Australians.On 19th April 1984, Advance Australia Fair was announced to be the official national anthem of Australia.
God save the Queen still will be played when members of the royal family attend events in Australia.