National Colours

The national colours, green and gold, hold a treasured place in the Australian imagination.

The national colours have strong environmental connections. Gold conjures images of Australia’s beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvests and Australian wool. Green evokes eucalyptus trees and pastures of the Australian landscape.

The Governor-General, the Rt Hon Ninian M Stephen, proclaimed green and gold the national colours on 19 April 1984.

Green and gold are also the colours of Australia’s national floral emblem – the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha Benth). The first day of September is National Wattle Day.

Advance Australia Fair is the national anthem of Australia, adopted on April 19, 1984. It was first officially proposed in 1974 to replace " God Save the Queen, " which had been the national anthem from 1788 to 1974.

The original music and lyrics were composed by a Scottish-born Australian, Peter Dodds McCormick, and first performed in Sydney in 1878. In 1977, in a countrywide public opinion poll to choose a national tune, " Advance Australia Fair" won out over three other contenders. Some of the original words, however, were altered for the official version--including the first line, changed from " Australia's sons, let us rejoice" to " Australians all, let us rejoice."

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. (окружен)

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, (strain - мелодия, напев, стихи)

" Advance Australia Fair."

Beneath our radiant* Southern Cross (лучистый)

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."