Poll: A question to my fellow Aussies (and anyone else interested)

[joshuaayt]

Neither, because I give no shits about our flag or anthem, and I just know it will be commemorated with another fucking ten million dollar fireworks show, or whatever.

I hate to regress into 4chan speak, but imad- it is an adequate description of the impotent anger I feel towards such things.

 

[Kortney]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia.

I don't think either need changing. The flag is very pretty and the fact it acknowledges the United Kingdom is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Australian National Anthem is one of the only ones I know that doesn't talk about God, killing, war, patriotism and false delusions of honor. Instead it talks about the goodness of the human spirit and is a very beautiful song.

I don't think the flag needs changing but I don't like the anthem very much.

Just a nitpick but the entire second verse of the anthem is based on praising God and goes like this.

With Christ our head and cornerstone
We'll build our nations might
Whos way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright
Our lives a sacrifice of love reflects our masters care
With faces turned to heaven above advance Australia fair
In joyfull strains and let us sing advance Australia fair.

Yes that is how the very rarely sang and relatively unknown second verse goes.

Heh. It would be more fitting if an Australian were to call you out on this, but I guess I'll make do.

That verse you posted is not actually part of the national anthem of Australia. It was part of the original lyrics written in 1879. The song was remastered and heavily modified over one hundred years later, in 1984, under Hawke and only contains two verses today.

In short, no. That isn't the "second verse" of your anthem. It's not even a part of your anthem and never has been a part of your national anthem. It was a part of a very old song that was been heavily modified and reworked (even that much is sketchy. That particular verse may never have existed).

Trust me. Your anthem is special.

You, as an Australian, should be the one telling me this.

 

[Astoria]

-snip-

Yeah I agree, I can't see us changing for a few decades yet but when/if we do I can imagine us staying pretty much the same as we are now, just we'd offically be independant. About the defence thing, I think we rely more on the U.S than Britain anyway so maybe that won't be a huge problem. As for our flag being scared, if it were to change the current one would certainly never be forgotten. I'm sure many would still fly it proudly. I don't think younger generations are less thankful exactly but more their allegences lie solely with Australia rather than both Australia and Britain like older generations.

 

[fletch_talon]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia.

I don't think either need changing. The flag is very pretty and the fact it acknowledges the United Kingdom is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Australian National Anthem is one of the only ones I know that doesn't talk about God, killing, war, patriotism and false delusions of honor. Instead it talks about the goodness of the human spirit and is a very beautiful song.

I don't think the flag needs changing but I don't like the anthem very much.

Just a nitpick but the entire second verse of the anthem is based on praising God and goes like this.

With Christ our head and cornerstone
We'll build our nations might
Whos way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright
Our lives a sacrifice of love reflects our masters care
With faces turned to heaven above advance Australia fair
In joyfull strains and let us sing advance Australia fair.

Yes that is how the very rarely sang and relatively unknown second verse goes.

I don't know the second verse in its entirety.
But I do know that's not it.

It starts "beneath our radiant southern cross".

According to Wikipedia, your verse is something a Christian group try to claim is a missing verse for which there is no evidence of authenticity.

 

[warhammerfrog]

I agree with i am spoon aborigonels are not peace loving hippies as they are portrayed they were just as human as you and i.Also think of how catastrophic giving Australia back would be it wouldent happen the aborigonels would be shot before such things happen so please dont give me that useless crap. It is also most likley that warfare will never go away so get used to it.

 

[Ambi]

Also on a side note,if we incorporated the aboriginal flag into our Australian one they'd all just ***** that they don't have their own flag any more.

Well...it might annoy some of the 99.5% (something like that) of Australians without aboriginal heritage as well.

Unless we get all the nations of the world together and make an awesome patchwork quilt or something.

If they were to change the flag, I'd go for something simple like a yellow kangaroo on green background...the kangaroo is on teh coat of arms, been on all RAN ships since Korea to distinguish them from RN ones, was used to identify captured Italian tanks at Tobruk etc.

Yeah, they should so do that patchwork thing. Or just get a satellite picture of Australia and print it on a flag with a picture of Earth in the corner with a picture of the Galaxy in the corner and so on. An honest flag. Let's be proud of our 100 percent Australian hunk of land.

 

[warhammerfrog]

I agree with i am spoon aborigonels are not peace loving hippies as they are portrayed they were just as human as you and i.Also think of how catastrophic giving Australia back would be it wouldent happen the aborigonels would be shot before such things happen so please dont give me that useless crap. It is also most likley that warfare will never go away so get used to it.

Please go away, Mister Troll.

Troll? urgh im no troll. i am simply stating the sad truths of the world.

 

[Astoria]

I don't know the second verse in its entirety.
But I do know that's not it.

It starts "beneath our radiant southern cross".

According to Wikipedia, your verse is something a Christian group try to claim is a missing verse for which there is no evidence of authenticity.

"Beneath our radiant southern cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands
To make this commonwealth of ours
Renown among the lands
To those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair"

or something like that anyway. I think there was originally 6 verses or something.

 

[Sgt_Jakeman214]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia.

I don't think either need changing. The flag is very pretty and the fact it acknowledges the United Kingdom is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Australian National Anthem is one of the only ones I know that doesn't talk about God, killing, war, patriotism and false delusions of honor. Instead it talks about the goodness of the human spirit and is a very beautiful song.

I don't think the flag needs changing but I don't like the anthem very much.

Just a nitpick but the entire second verse of the anthem is based on praising God and goes like this.

With Christ our head and cornerstone
We'll build our nations might
Whos way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright
Our lives a sacrifice of love reflects our masters care
With faces turned to heaven above advance Australia fair
In joyfull strains and let us sing advance Australia fair.

Yes that is how the very rarely sang and relatively unknown second verse goes.

I don't know where you got that crap from, but it is most certainly NOT the second verse. After a little digging online, it seems to be merely Christian propaganda to degrade the Anthem with Christian views. A quote from the article - 'Promotions Officer, Dave Mitchell. ?While we have been unable to verify that with any historic documents, we have been unable to say she is wrong either.' Link for those interested http://web.archive.org/web/20001027091035/http://www.awakening.org.au/media/2k0606lost.htm
The Anthem is as follows, set by the people through a goverment referendum back in 1984 when we dropped "God Save The Queen".

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We?ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature?s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history?s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We?ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who?ve come across the seas
We?ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.



I agree with the points made about keeping the Flag. Men and women have fought and died for that flag and all that it represents, our great nation and all her peoples and cultures.

However, I do believe that the anthem should be changed. It is old and showing it, and I believe that our values as a country have changed somewhat. I propose we change the anthem to either "I Still Call Australia Home" or "We Are Australian". They are much more relevant, and better songs that represent our country. I prefer "I Still Call Australia Home" over "We Are Australian" though.

EDIT: I am proudly born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. Just so you guys know. I missed the floods too, but I helped out!

 

[Drummodino]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia.

I don't think either need changing. The flag is very pretty and the fact it acknowledges the United Kingdom is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Australian National Anthem is one of the only ones I know that doesn't talk about God, killing, war, patriotism and false delusions of honor. Instead it talks about the goodness of the human spirit and is a very beautiful song.

I don't think the flag needs changing but I don't like the anthem very much.

Just a nitpick but the entire second verse of the anthem is based on praising God and goes like this.

With Christ our head and cornerstone
We'll build our nations might
Whos way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright
Our lives a sacrifice of love reflects our masters care
With faces turned to heaven above advance Australia fair
In joyfull strains and let us sing advance Australia fair.

Yes that is how the very rarely sang and relatively unknown second verse goes.

I don't know the second verse in its entirety.
But I do know that's not it.

It starts "beneath our radiant southern cross".

According to Wikipedia, your verse is something a Christian group try to claim is a missing verse for which there is no evidence of authenticity.

Yea the second verse is:

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fair

No mention of God or Jesus whatsoever, the Southern Cross is a star sign visible in the southern hemisphere. It's what the five smaller stars on the flag represent.

OT: I have no problem with flag or anthem, they both seem to represent this country very well and hold true to its history.

 

[Drummodino]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia.

I don't think either need changing. The flag is very pretty and the fact it acknowledges the United Kingdom is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Australian National Anthem is one of the only ones I know that doesn't talk about God, killing, war, patriotism and false delusions of honor. Instead it talks about the goodness of the human spirit and is a very beautiful song.

I don't think the flag needs changing but I don't like the anthem very much.

Just a nitpick but the entire second verse of the anthem is based on praising God and goes like this.

With Christ our head and cornerstone
We'll build our nations might
Whos way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright
Our lives a sacrifice of love reflects our masters care
With faces turned to heaven above advance Australia fair
In joyfull strains and let us sing advance Australia fair.

Yes that is how the very rarely sang and relatively unknown second verse goes.

I don't know where you got that crap from, but it is most certainly NOT the second verse. After a little digging online, it seems to be merely Christian propaganda to degrade the Anthem with Christian views. A quote from the article - 'Promotions Officer, Dave Mitchell. ?While we have been unable to verify that with any historic documents, we have been unable to say she is wrong either.' Link for those interested http://web.archive.org/web/20001027091035/http://www.awakening.org.au/media/2k0606lost.htm
The Anthem is as follows, set by the people through a goverment referendum back in 1984 when we dropped "God Save The Queen".

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We?ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature?s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history?s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We?ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who?ve come across the seas
We?ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Damn ninja'd!

 

[Fire Daemon]

I think the only real reason Australia has to become a republic is in the rare chance that England goes to war against something that Australia can't defend itself against. If war is declared against China or some other neighbouring superpower I think it would be in Australia's best interests to ignore all calls to war, cut all ties with the British Isles and play things neutral. I highly doubt that England is going to do anything to look after us and if push comes to shove, we need to secure our own interests.

A horribly cowardly thing to do of course, but most certainly the smartest.

Hopefully that day never comes, and so I can't see any reason to change the flag, the anthem and become a Republic in terms of political relations.

Besides, I like the flag and then anthem.

 

[warhammerfrog]

I think the only real reason Australia has to become a republic is in the rare chance that England goes to war against something that Australia can't defend itself against. If war is declared against China or some other neighbouring superpower I think it would be in Australia's best interests to ignore all calls to war, cut all ties with the British Isles and play things neutral. I highly doubt that England is going to do anything to look after us and if push comes to shove, we need to secure our own interests.

A horribly cowardly thing to do of course, but most certainly the smartest.

Hopefully that day never comes, and so I can't see any reason to change the flag, the anthem and become a Republic in terms of political relations.

Besides, I like the flag and then anthem.

yeah but if america comes looking for support skippy will be putting on his head band and sharpening his combat knife.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I think the only real reason Australia has to become a republic is in the rare chance that England goes to war against something that Australia can't defend itself against.

Why? Australia didn't get involved in the Falklands war, and Britain wasn't involved in Vietnam. Commonwealth nations don't have to involve themselves in each other's wars.

 

[Creator002]

I don't really care whether either change. If we find a way to spruce both of them up a bit, I'd be all for it. The anthem, I feel, is sung in a monotone. Quite dull.

 

[Sgt_Jakeman214]

I think the only real reason Australia has to become a republic is in the rare chance that England goes to war against something that Australia can't defend itself against. If war is declared against China or some other neighbouring superpower I think it would be in Australia's best interests to ignore all calls to war, cut all ties with the British Isles and play things neutral. I highly doubt that England is going to do anything to look after us and if push comes to shove, we need to secure our own interests.

A horribly cowardly thing to do of course, but most certainly the smartest.

Hopefully that day never comes, and so I can't see any reason to change the flag, the anthem and become a Republic in terms of political relations.

Besides, I like the flag and then anthem.

yeah but if america comes looking for support skippy will be putting on his head band and sharpening his combat knife.

Which I find hilarious, as England supports and follows the USA at the current point in time. Which could be poosible, China is becoming the next superpower, and is the only reason that the USA and Australian economies have not collapsed, due to chinese demand for raw materials that Australia provides, and the huge US Market to sell good to, along with the investments China has in the USA.

snip

snip

snip

Damn ninja'd!

You know, that was my exact thoughts as I was researching and posting! I thought I was going to get ninja'd, but turns out I am the ninja!

 

[Fire Daemon]

yeah but if america comes looking for support skippy will be putting on his head band and sharpening his combat knife.

Not unless America wont help us either. If we wont die for the United Kingdom why would we die America?

Why? Australia didn't get involved in the Falklands war, and Britain wasn't involved in Vietnam. Commonwealth nations don't have to involve themselves in each other's wars.

I didn't say that we have to get involved, just that the greatest fuel to fire Australia's change into a republic is when the Commonwealth is threatened by something that could steam-roll us.

I should have added that even then, that isn't a complete reason for why we should leave the Commonwealth, just the only real one that I can think of.

 

[Goldeneye1989]

Alright. This is the cold hard fact about breaking whatever ties.

We'd have to replace all our currency. We can't be fucked doing it.

lul wut, A. England uses the pound. 2 All we would have to do in the next years printout is change from the queen to the ....Prime minister.... thats nothing....

 

[Thaluikhain]

yeah but if america comes looking for support skippy will be putting on his head band and sharpening his combat knife.

Not unless America wont help us either. If we wont die for the United Kingdom why would we die America?

Erm...well...Australia does has some of a history of following the US into wars.

Remember the jokes about America supporting Australia's planned invasion of Iraq?

I didn't say that we have to get involved, just that the greatest fuel to fire Australia's change into a republic is when the Commonwealth is threatened by something that could steam-roll us.

I should have added that even then, that isn't a complete reason for why we should leave the Commonwealth, just the only real one that I can think of.

Ah, ok, misunderstood.