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It was 6am on New Yearâs Day when the text pinged in from ABC TV. The Prime Minister had changed a word in Australiaâs national anthem. As if in sudden, surprised recognition that our country has been populated for more than 60,000 years, we would no longer sing of being âyoung and freeâ, but instead, âone and freeâ.
The national anthem doesnât come from who we are as a nation , says Deborah Cheetham.
Credit:Justin McManus
âWhat a way to start the year,â says Deborah Cheetham, AO, with a sigh. Obviously the adjustment was very welcome, she told the ABC in words relayed around the world. As was changing âAustralian sonsâ to âAustralians allâ when