Diggers

The term 'digger' is a colloquial term for an Australian or New Zealand soldier. It became popular during the first World War and has become part of the Australian - and to a lesser extent, New Zealand, idiom ever since.

No one is exactly sure what it refers to, the most common reason being that the Australians and New Zealanders called one another it in jest, as a nickname, because they apparently excelled at and were required to dig tunnels and trenches during the Great War. It became a source of pride to be called a Digger, becoming synonymous with doing a difficult job well.

Identifying themselves as Diggers was a very different thing from the British Army equivalent of calling a soldier 'Tommy', as it was a name they embraced and were proud of, and still very much are today.

The Glory of the Soldier

My shoulders ache beneath my pack
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).

I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).

Men shout at me who may not speak
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek).

I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty tears that sear.

(Then shall my fickle soul forget
Thy Agony of Blood and Sweat?)

My rifle hand is stiff and numb
(From Thy pierced palms red rivers come).

Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.

So let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.


Joyce Filmet

National Anthem

Despite the popularity of Banjo Paterson's 'Waltzing Matilda', and it's status as the officially unofficial Anthem of Australians, Advance Australia Fair is the National Anthem since 1984.

'Australians all, let us rejoice,
For we are young and free,
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
of beauty rich and rare;
In hist'ry's page, let ev'ry stage
Advance Australia Fair

CHORUS

In joyful strains then let us sing
'Advance Australia Fair'

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands'
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands,
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share,
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

CHORUS

In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia Fair"