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"I Am Australian" (or "We Are Australian") is a popular Australian song written in 1987 byBruce Woodley ofthe Seekers andDobe Newton ofthe Bushwackers. Its lyrics are filled with many historic and cultural references, such as to the "digger",Albert Namatjira andNed Kelly, among others. Its popularity has made it one of a number of Australian patriotic songs considered as alternatives to the current national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair". It is commonly taught inprimary schools.[1] In the years since the song's release, there have been calls for it to become Australia's national anthem, notably in 2011 by former Victorian PremierJeff Kennett.[2]
The song was first released as the final track on Bruce Woodley's 1987 double albumRoaring Days/I Am Australian, with vocals by Woodley and his daughter Claire.[3][4]
"I Am Australian" is popular at celebrations such asAustralia Day andNew Year's Day.[citation needed]
It is often sung by Australian fans at sporting events. It was sung bythe Seekers at the1994 AFL Grand Final.[5]
It was often played at citizenship ceremonies from 2008 until 2012 when the Copyright Tribunal ruled that this was a copyright infringement and ordered the Federal Government to pay Bruce Woodley $149,743.34 in compensation.[6]
It was one of the final numbers performed at the 2016Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo hosted atMarvel Stadium (previously Etihad Stadium at the time) inMelbourne. It was sung primarily by Australian military personnel with backing vocals and musical accompaniment by the combined acts of the Tattoo.[citation needed]
Spectators seated in the public gallery of theAustralian House of Representatives erupted into applause and sang part of "I am Australian" when Parliament voted on and legalisedsame-sex marriage on 7 December 2017.[7]
In 1996, theSalvation Army used the song in TV advertisements for its Red Shield Appeal.[8]
The song was used by theAustralian Republican Movement in radio and television advertisements during the1999 Australian republic referendum.[citation needed]
In October 2003, in conjunction with the sponsorship of the2003 Rugby World Cup, Australian telecommunications giantTelstra launched a new campaign centred on the song remixed and performed byRai Thistlethwayte. The campaign was produced by advertising companyYoung and Rubicam.[9][10][11]
In aid of the Farmhand Foundation's Drought Relief Appeal, Telstra released a CD of the Rai Thistlethwayte rework that sold for $6. A total of $100,000 was raised from the profits($4.05 per CD) generated from the sale of the CD. The actual published copy of the CD credits "Performed by: Rai Thistlewayte & other artists" and "Music re-arranged by: Rai Thistlewayte".
In 2008, Telstra used a different version of the song recorded by the Sydney band, Botanics, for advertising their mobile coverage of theBeijing 2008 Olympic Games.
In 2009, two additional verses were added to show remembrance during the official National Day of Mourning for the victims of theBlack Saturday bushfires.[12] Woodley performed the song along with his daughter Clare andKinglake fire survivors Merelyn and David Carter during the memorial service at theRod Laver Arena inMelbourne on 22 February.[13][14] This version peaked at number 56 on theARIA Charts in March 2009.[15]
| "I Am Australian" | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Single by Judith Durham, Russell Hitchcock & Mandawuy Yunupingu | |
| from the albumAlways There | |
| Released | January 1997 |
| Recorded | 1997 |
| Label | EMI Australia |
| Songwriter(s) | Bruce Woodley andDobe Newton |
| Audio video | |
| "I Am Australian" onYouTube | |
"I Am Australian" was released in 1997 by trioJudith Durham (ofthe Seekers),Russell Hitchcock (fromAir Supply) andYothu Yindi'sMandawuy Yunupingu.EMI Australia released the single and it reached number 17 on the AustralianARIA Singles Chart.[16]
In November 2023, theNational Film and Sound Archive added this version ofI Am Australian to theSounds of Australia register for songs of "cultural, historical and aesthetic significance and relevance".[17]
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | 17 |
| "I Am Australian" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byDami Im,Jessica Mauboy,Justice Crew,Nathaniel Willemse,Samantha Jade andTaylor Henderson featuringJohn Foreman | ||||
| Released | 24 January 2014 (2014-01-24) | |||
| Recorded | January 2014 | |||
| Length | 3:36 | |||
| Label | Sony | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton | |||
| Dami Im singles chronology | ||||
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| Jessica Mauboy singles chronology | ||||
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| Justice Crew singles chronology | ||||
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| Nathaniel Willemse singles chronology | ||||
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| Samantha Jade singles chronology | ||||
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| Taylor Henderson singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "I Am Australian" onYouTube | ||||
"I Am Australian" was covered in 2014 byDami Im,Jessica Mauboy,Justice Crew,Nathaniel Willemse,Samantha Jade andTaylor Henderson, withJohn Foreman on piano.[18]Sony Music Australia released their cover as a single on 24 January 2014, as part of Sydney's Australia Day celebrations.[18]
On recording the song, the artists said:[19]
A live video is available for the Take 40! website of the artists singing the song on a floating stage in the middle of Sydney Harbour.[20]
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[21] | 51 |
"I Am Australian" was covered in 2018 by theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation as part of their new brand positioning under its tagline,Yours.[22] The song was reinterpreted byTriple J Unearthed artist Emily Wurramara.[23] Two television spots were also produced and aired by the broadcaster, one of which was translated byYawurutraditional owners and covered inYawuru language by primary school students inBroome,Western Australia.[24]
The ABC then produced and aired additional promotions in April 2020 as part of a 'National Sing-along' campaign. These consisted of various everyday Australians, in isolation due to thestay-at-home orders imposed by federal, state and territory governments during theCOVID-19 pandemic, each of which covered the song in front of a video camera from their homes. Other arrangements include those covered in Yawuru by 'physically distanced' primary school students in Broome, as well as inAuslan, interpreted by various sign language interpreters in home isolation. Prominent celebrities featured in these promotions includeIsaiah Firebrace,Olivia Newton-John andEmma Watkins.[25]
In 2019, "I Am Australian" was released as a single by Australian sopranoMirusia, and it was later released on her album "A Salute to The Seekers", which debuted at the #1 position on the ARIA Blues and Jazz Charts.[26]
In 2023,Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett ofThe Bushwackers sung a rendition of "I Am Australian", which Newton co-wrote, in their audition on thetwelfth season ofThe Voice Australia, in which they received a four-chair turn before securing a place on coachJessica Mauboy's team.[27]
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