- Composed by Peter Dodds McCormick, a Scottish immigrant.
- First performed in Sydney at a gathering hosted by the New South Wales branch of the Australian Natives Association.
- Initially titled "Australia, Land of Hope and Glory".
1883: Formal Recognition
- The Governor of New South Wales, Lord Augustus Loftus, requested the song to be played during the opening of the Sydney International Exhibition.
1890s: Growing Popularity
- "Advance Australia Fair" gained prominence as a patriotic song, sung at various events and gatherings throughout Australia.
1912: Official Anthem
- The song received official recognition when the Department of Defence adopted it as the national march.
1974: First Verse Amendment
- The original second verse was replaced to acknowledge Australia's Indigenous peoples.
- The new verse began with "For those who've come across the seas, we've boundless plains to share".
1984: Second Verse Amendment
- Further amendments were made to the second verse to highlight Australia's multicultural society.
- The line "For those who've come across the seas" was replaced with "For those who've come across the seas, we've boundless plains to share, with courage let us all combine, to build a better land".
1987: Additional Recognition
- The federal government formally recognized "Advance Australia Fair" as Australia's national anthem.
1991: Inclusion of Indigenous Language
- The Arrernte phrase "In unity, we find our strength" was incorporated into the opening verse.
1998: Official Flag Inclusion
- The Australian national anthem became interwoven with the ceremonial raising of the Australian flag.
Since its adoption as the national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair" has undergone several modifications to reflect Australia's evolving identity, with the aim of uniting its diverse population under a common banner.