Australia launches National Songbook to honour unofficial anthems

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) and APRA AMCOS announced the creation of a National Songbook, a curated collection intended to preserve songs that have become part of Australia’s cultural identity. The initiative was launched on 4 November 2026 and will add new works each year.

The inaugural cohort comprises ten tracks spanning more than a century of Australian music. Selections include the bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda" (first recorded in 1927), Midnight Oil’s 1987 protest song "Beds Are Burning", and The Presets’ 2007 electronic anthem "My People". Other inductees are The Easybeats’ 1966 hit "Friday On My Mind", Yothu Yindi’s 1991 landmark "Treaty", and Helen Reddy’s 1971 feminist anthem "I Am Woman".

Representing Indigenous voices, the Songbook features Ruby Hunter’s "Down City Streets" and the Warumpi Band classic "My Island Home", later popularised by Christine Anu. Contemporary contributions include the avant‑jazz trio The Necks and composer Peter Sculthorpe’s "Earth Cry", which blends European classical elements with First Nations traditions.

NFSA chief curator Meagan Loader described the collection as “a living collection of our unofficial national anthems,” emphasizing that the aim is to safeguard not only recordings but also the stories and social significance attached to each song. She noted that selecting the first ten works was challenging because of their artistic and cultural weight.

The National Songbook aligns with APRA AMCOS’s centenary and the NFSA’s 90th anniversary, signalling a long‑term commitment to celebrate Australian songwriting. Organisers plan annual inductions, inviting public input to ensure the collection reflects the nation’s evolving musical landscape.