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2 months ago
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A primary school has come under fire for stoking a 'culture war' by having young students learn an Indigenous alternative to the national anthem.
Yarraville West Primary School, in Melbourne, has been making their students sing the revised version of 'Advance Australia Fair' at assemblies for the past six months.
While the different version maintains the original musical score from 1878, the lyrics except the title were changed to acknowledge the history of Indigenous Australians.
The modifications were made by Indigenous artists for the Dulwich Centre and Seekers singer Judith Durham in 2015.
Several parents have complained about the change saying it has confused their children who have no idea how to sing the official anthem.
The national anthem opens: '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.'
The revised version begins: 'Australia, celebrate as one, with peace and harmony. Our precious water, soil and sun, grant life for you and me.'
3AW host Tom Elliot blamed the school on Wednesday for having 'reignited culture wars'.
Yarraville West Primary School, in Melbourne , has been making their students sing the revised version of 'Advance Australia Fair' at assemblies for the past six months
'The Australian national anthem is not just some love it or leave it song that you may or may not want to sing, it is the anthem of our country,' he said.
Elliot admitted that the altered version is 'not a bad anthem' but said it is 'not the anthem there is a we teach children'.
'You can't teach primary school children a different version of our anthem, it's just confusing for them,' he said.
Some parents told the Herald Sun it was 'important' for children to learn the national anthem.
One said their child had no idea how to sing along to the anthem while at a sports match.
Some parents told the Herald Sun it was 'important' for children to learn the national anthem
Lyrics for the alternative anthem
Australia, celebrate as one, with peace and harmony'
Our precious water, soil and sun, grant life for you and me;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts to love, respect and share;
And honouring the Dreaming, advance Australia fair;
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
Australia, let us stand as one, upon this sacred land;
A new day dawns, we're moving on to trust and understand;
Combine our ancient history and cultures everywhere;
To bond together for all time, advance Australia fair;
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
Australia, let us strive as one, to work with willing hands;
Our Southern Cross will guide us on, as friends with other lands;
While we embrace tomorrow's world with courage, truth and care;
And all our actions prove the words, advance Australia fair;
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
And when this special land of ours is in our children's care;
From shore to shore forever more, advance Australia fair;
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance . . Australia . . fair.
Source: Dulwich Centre
'They should be proud of being Australian and confusing them … is not the answer,' one said.
Institute of Public Affairs deputy executive director Daniel Wild said it was an example of 'activists and elites' attempting to divide the country.
'Of course, students should be singing our national anthem and paying respect to our flag. The Premier must immediately pull this school into line,' he said.
A Department of Education spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they will be working with the school to 'ensure the appropriate use of the national anthem in school events'.
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