Some genius over at the National Australia Day Council has come up with a plan to stage a Nation-wide musical interlude to our public holiday, announcing that a collective rendition of the anthem at 12pm on January 26 will be encouraged; certain public spaces about the country will also hold national anthem ceremonies.
Yeah, nah.
Sure – we’re all for national pride and recognising that we live in one of the most fortunate countries in the world, but it doesn’t seem likely that barbecue tongs will be briefly put to rest to belt out the anthem. But if this is the beginning of an annual custom, then traditions do have to start somewhere.
Regarding the public staging of the anthem: “In Sydney at the harbour it will happen with a great deal of pomp and ceremony on the new Navy vessel HMAS Canberra with a 21-gun salute,” said an executive of the NDAC.
TBH, we’d be much more excited about taking part if there were a nation-wide plan to sing the latest national anthem contender, “Straya”. Or perhaps more soberingly, if we used the midday time slot to recognise and reconcile our sordid history with Indigenous Australians, rather than celebrating it. Just a thought.
Via ABC.
