Factsheets

Island of Oceans - a new anthem by John Williamson

Jul 02 06:04am

- Do you think we need a new flag? Tell us what you think of the suggested flag (left)?

And what about a new national anthem? Noted singer and republican John Williamson has a new song called 'Island of Oceans' he thinks would make a good substitute for Advance Australia Fair.

Our current anthem became the most popular anthem back in 1974 but only by a few hundred votes.

Who Advanced Australia?

A public opinion poll was held among a sample of 60,000 people in 1974 to choose between Waltzing Matilda, Advance Australia Fair and Song of Australia.
Advance Australia Fair won with 51.4% of the vote (a mragin of 840 votes).

Read the chorus, watch the performance (available after the show) and post your comments below on whether you think this song would make a change for the better...

ISLAND OF OCEANS --- by John Williamson

Chorus:

Island of Oceans

Red ochre, gold and blue.

You give my heart the power

To make my dreams come true

And I will bring you glory with everything I do

Australia

More info

JohnWilliamson.com.au

32 Comments Report Abuse

1. ericksonaimee - Jul 02 07:25am

john willimsons anthem was fantastic, loved it. the old one deffinetly needs to be updated.

2. jright1964 - Jul 02 07:28am

Advance Australia Fair sucks and everyone knows it.

3. lizbarlow60 - Jul 02 07:37am

I hadn't really thought about changing the national anthem until I heard John Williamson on Sunrise this morning. I absolutely loved his anthem, and would vote for it in a heart beat. Loved the flag concept also. Time to step up to the next level Australia!

4. kirstie.blain - Jul 02 07:39am

Advance Australia fair is our National Anthem and we already have a flag. Both describe where we have come from and where we are headed. The Anthem covers our entire country, rather than those who just drink billy tea! There is no reason it should change - it is our heritage.

5. sonjajones17 - Jul 02 07:46am

I toatally agree i am a real aussie girl i have been basically all around australia and think that every concept in johns song covers australia, and i love the flag. IF IT came to a vote it would be between his song and waltzing matilda, our anthem atm wouldn't stand a chance i hope its changed

6. mandownunder_71 - Jul 02 07:47am

Advance Australia is not one of my favourite Songs as an Anthem. I rather like the tune of waltzing Matilda not nesessarily the wording.
Maybe John Williamson could work around the wording of the tune. Im not fussed at all with the latest substitute of our Present Anthem .. Regards Jack Macy

7. gheefrenchie - Jul 02 08:01am

Why Kochy try to be so insisting to change the Anthem ? I thing the son was fine but not as an anthem, we don't need another one , 35 years it is a young anthem, look at the french with the Marseillaise has been writen for 200 years. No Kochy

8. pertwee_75 - Jul 02 08:19am

Let's face the fact's the old ' Advance ' dos'nt even mention a word about our original aussie's the Aboriginals, it almost has a Pommy colonial theme to it with the girt by sea rubbish, maybe
we can tweak it abit or put a new verse in ?.

9. leannenield - Jul 02 08:58am

Great idea - My Friend Danny Hooper is an Australian Recording artist (Check out his website). He is a song called AUSTRALIA which would make a brilliant anthem!! Check it out!
But..we must stick with our flag - to change it would be like trying to change our histroy which we all know is not posib

10. duncansonmichael - Jul 02 09:09am

I must admit the Flag looks brillant I would vote for our flag to be changed if that was the model. .. Anthem not sure, sounds a bit hill billy.

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