I Am Australian

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"I Am/We are Australian" is a popular Australian song written in 1987 by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers. The music was composed by Bruce Woodley. Its lyrics are filled with many historic and cultural references, such as to the digger, Albert Namajira and Ned Kelly, among others. Its popularity has allowed it to join the ranks of other patriotic songs considered as alternatives to the Australian National Anthem - Advance Australia Fair. It is commonly taught in primary schools.

1 Festivities
2 Telstra
3 References
4 External Links

[edit] Festivities

"I am Australian" is popular at celebrations such as Australia Day and New Year's Day, as it celebrates the diversity of Australian society - the lyrics to the chorus emphasise this: "We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on Earth we come, we share a dream and sing with one voice - I am, you are, we are Australian".

[edit] Telstra

In October 2003, in conjunction with the sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup, Australian telecommunications giant Telstra launched a new campaign centered around the song remixed and performed by Lo-Tel. It is often mistakingly credited to Rai Thistlethwayte, as the vocalists sound very similar. Telstra had bought the rights to the song a number of years before. The campaign was produced by advertising company Young and Rubicam.

In aid of the Farmhand Foundation's Drought Relief Appeal, Telstra released a CD of the Lo-Tel remix that sold for $6. A total of $100,000 was raised from the profits ($4.05 per CD) generated from the sale of the CD.