Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston was awkwardly interrupted by the national anthem in the midst of his Welcome to Country address, leaving many viewers outraged and offended.
This Australia Day, Hugh Jackman has called for drastic change to be made to the festivities. And his first port of call is the Australian anthem. While Australia Day falls on the 26th January, this date has caused much controversy over the years - and rightfully so. This day marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet at what is now known as New South Wales. However, it also marks the day that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were stripped of their land. As such, there is much demand for the date to be changed to allow for a more inclusive celebration. Hugh Jackman is just the latest celebrity to demand change. And he is doing it in quite the bold way.
O say can you see, and the crowd erupts. La Marseillaise begins,
Allons, enfants de la patrie. Again the crowd applauds. Advance Australia Fair, stands, looks around and sighs, Oh never mind.
No, it’s not a true story. Who ever heard of an anthem walking? Marching perhaps.
But it is inarguable that of the three, two stir the soul, and one stirs mixed feelings.
Like a hardy annual, the worth of Advanced Australia Fair again comes into greater focus for Australians come 26 January. A day of celebration, a day of mourning, depending on which side of history you inhabit.