From The West Australian
Schools change national anthem
By Bethany Hiatt - Education Editor
September 23, 2011, 2:40 am
Some private Christian schools are singing an alternative version of the national anthem which promotes religious values and talks of Christ.
Instead of the official second verse of Advance Australia Fair, which starts "Beneath our radiant Southern Cross", the alternative verse says "With Christ our head and cornerstone, we'll build our nation's might".
The version of the anthem is sung every fortnight at Thornlie Christian College and Christian Schools Australia WA executive officer Ray Dallin confirmed that it was regularly sung at other school assemblies and churches.
He believed the verse was in the original anthem by Peter Dodds McCormick but had been omitted from the official version.
"It's probably normal for the Christian schools to do that because it's the Christian element of that song which is often left out," he said.
But others say the existence of a missing Christian verse is a myth started by Awakening, a Christian movement, and it was never part of the composer's original work.
Original verses from 1879 in the National Library of Australia music collection do not include the Christian verse.
Full Story: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/10321316/schools-change-national-anthem/
So glad that the reporter checked with the PM's office. Yes, changing the anthem is contrary to national protocol. What does this school want to do next... add an icon from one particular religion to our national flag ? Oh, wait...
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Also covered, with public comments, over on the ABC News website
Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-23/christian-schools-changing-the-national-anthem/2939594
