N. F76/ 8
FOR PRESS 21 January 1976
HONOURS, MUSICAL SALUTES AND THE TITLE ' COMMONWEALTH'
The practice of recommending Australian citizens for awards
under the British honours system is to be resumed when the
necessary machinery is established.
The British honours will not affect or replace awards under the
Order of Australia which will continue to be made.
The Government has also decided to resume the use, for internal
purposes, of the titles ' Commonwealth of Australia' and
' Commonwealth Government'. The titles ' Australia' and
' Australian Government' will continue to be used abroad and
in relations with foreign countries.
The Governor General has'agreed that ' God Save the Queen' should
be reinstated as the Salute for all vice-regal occasions.
In conformity with this general arrangement Defence Force bands
are being directed to play ' God Save the Queen on these
as well as on royal occasions.
On other occasions involving Defence Force bands organisers
can exercise a choice between the following musical salutes:
God Save the Queen
Advance Australia Fair
Waltzing Matilda
Song of Australia ./ 2
2.
Ultimately, after some form of popular consultation, one
of these compositions will be selected as the appropriate
National Anthem for ceremonial occasions, such as at the
Olympic Games.