Culture

In A Historic First The Wallabies Sang The National Anthem In A Local First Nations Language

A small historical step in the right direction

by Merryana Salem  6 December 2020

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Last night, before their 16 all draw match against Argentina, the Wallabies sang the National Anthem in the local language of the Eora/Darug people.  It was the first time Advance Australia Fair has been sung in a local Indigenous language before an international event.

After a welcome to country given by local Wiradjuri activist, Graham Davis King, the Anthem was led by Wiradjuri woman, Olivia Fox. Fox is a young singer and student at the Newtown Performing Arts School. She led the players in the Anthem, first in Eora Language of the Darug people, then in English.

The players themselves were sporting Indigenous jerseys and had rehearsed the new verse all week to sing it with pride on an international stage.

The Anthem has always been a source of contention for Indigenous Australians, including Indigenous football players who voiced their intention to boycott the Anthem at the 2019 State of Origin. In 2020, NSW premier Gladys Berijiklyan faced backlash for her proposed fix for the anthem that would supposedly make it more inclusive of Aboriginal people.

The Eora rendition of Advance Australia Fair has been widely welcomed, heralded for its significance, and potential as a turning point in relation to connecting our National Anthem to our First Nations peoples.

Peter FitzSimons at the Sydney Morning Herald drew parallels to the origins of the Maori verses of New Zealand’s National Anthem, writing;

“The wonderful tradition of singing E Ihowa Atua began in 1999, before the All Blacks played England at Twickenham, and the Maori singer Hinewehi Mohi gave it her all. Despite much critical comment from the curmudgeonly crew, it is now not only totally accepted by New Zealanders, but revered.”

While many are celebrating this significant moment, there are also those acknowledging there is far more work to be done.

Changing Advance Australia Fair is not as pressing an issue as transforming the Nation’s policies to bring justice and reparations to Aboriginal people. While many Aboriginal people were proud to hear the National Anthem sung in a Native language, there are also those who view it as a token gesture.

Last night’s Anthem was a significant moment. It was a small step in the direction of Australia as a Nation respecting its Indigenous people. As a Wonnarua woman, I can only hope it’s a step forward that keeps its momentum.