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OUR LACK OF NATIONAL PRIDE

Up until the 1960’s movie sessions, concerts and even meetings of community groups
used to open with the National Anthem. In the 1900’s it was of course God Save the King
or God Save the Queen. Even school assemblies commenced with the raising of the
Australian Flag and the playing or singing of the National Anthem. When the British
National Anthem was replaced with Advance Australia Fair, it may have been used for a
short time but now it is rare to hear it played. It is used on Anzac Day and is ‘sung’ (if you
can call it singing) at some sporting matches, but generally ‘belted out’ by some raucous
female singer. Often the tune is unrecognisable as are the words.

The Scouting Movement and Girl Guides always had a flag unfurling ceremony to open
their meetings. Groups like the Red Cross and CWA always opened with the singing of
the National Anthem.

Australians seem to have no sense of National Pride. The flag is rarely unfurled and the
Australian National Anthem rarely played.

The Lithgow Valley Film Society has done something to reverse the situation. They
contracted Mike Trickett through his CINEPIX business to produce a visual DVD of the
Australian National Anthem. Mike has produced a stunning DVD which shows Parlia-
ment House in Canberra, Ayres Rock, the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, the Australian Flag and the Australian Coat of
Arms all in magnificent color.

The disc will be available to all film societies throughout Australia for $20.00 plus postage
and there will also be a secondary version which includes a “Welcome to your local Film
Society”, plus a “Reminder to Switch off Mobile Phones”. These two slides will immedi-
ately follow the National Anthem. There may also be an “Interval Tag” later on.
It would appear that many film societies throughout Australia are leading the way with a
sense of presentation in their movie sessions – Curtained screens; A secondary pro-
gram before an Interval of short films or a ‘B’ grade feature; Interval with a complimentary
morning/afternoon tea or supper and other added attractions that many multiplexes have
dispensed with.
On the first two occasions that the Lithgow Group ran the Australian National Anthem,
all members stood and at the end applauded this new innovation. (although really an old
tradition!).
Add that little extra to your presentation by playing this disc
to open your movie sessions.

30 REEL DEALS December 2018