The republican debate lit up with the Queen of Australia’s visit, in her role as head of the Commonwealth, for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Which country was she was barracking for? Controversy erupted over the playing of the Australian national anthem at the opening ceremony. Senior Liberal Minister and republican, Senator Amanda Vanstone, said rightly that God Save the Queen should be played. God Save the Queen is Australia’s royal anthem played whenever the Queen of Australia is present. Australians should listen to it often and dwell on its words: “send her victorious” and “long to reign over us” when forming an opinion about the republic.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
