Been There Done That

21 Sep 2018

Australia where … what’s in an Anthem?

Anniversary, Bisexual, Closeted, Community, Diversity, Gay, History, Royalty, Space

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This week, as we prepare for our various football finals, we remark upon the apparent unsuitability of our current National Anthem penned in 1878. We consider the many alternatives which are being promoted. In response to our modern view of our multicultural Australian society, the use of one of them may be more suitable.

We reflect upon the work and life of Don Dunstan, born 21/9/1926. He was the Labor Premier of South Australia for 2 terms and he drove legislative reforms to sweep away outdated concepts. Most importantly he obtained the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1975 – the first state in Australia to do so. He was a civil libertarian and humanist, and influential in strengthening democracy, helping Indigenous people get more self-determination, pushing multiculturalism forward and addressing the powers of the police force in his state. He spent the last decade of his life in a gay relationship.

Are you aware of the recent revelation that one of the Queen’s cousins is about to enter into a same-sex marriage? How modern is this? We contrast this situation with a much earlier royal, King Edward II, who was removed from office and tortured to death in 1327 for his active homosexuality.

Animals are quite often used in tests where safety for humans has not been established – consider the role of real guinea-pigs. We recall the first hot-air balloon and Sputnik 5 when innocent animals left Earth and were sent on adventures. There is no need to be reminded that man is the greatest eliminator of other species on Earth. The extinction of koalas in NSW by 2050 is predicted.