Music to express national pride is sometimes written specifically for that purpose, and sometimes is adopted as patriotic by virtue of its associations or performance environment. In Australia, especially during the 19th century when a significant proportion of the population was of British origin, patriotic devotion was often felt for the 'Mother country'.
As Australia progressed from its colonial phase to Federation, and with its participation in foreign wars and changing patterns of migration, the patriotic genre of music changed to reflect an independent Australia rather than a collection of British colonies.

The bulk of Australian patriotic music appears to have been inspired by the actions of Australians on the battlefield, however many patriotic songs have been produced as a result of competitions, often run in a quest for the definitive national song.In 1859 the Gawler Institute conducted a competition for an Australian anthem, over 40 years before the attainment of federation in 1901. The song of Australia won the competition; the Institute awarded cash prizes to Caroline Carleton for the words, and Carl Linger for the music. With her husband and two children, Caroline Carleton had arrived in South Australia from England in 1839. German born conductor and composer Linger had migrated to the colony in 1849.

For several generations South Australians sang this rousing anthem at school, and the song featured at many official functions. Attempts were made to have The song of Australia recognised as the official national song, but in 1984 Advance Australia fair was proclaimed as Australia's national anthem.

Wallace, Ronald A. V Our great patriotic song : the "Song of Australia" [Adelaide, S. Aust.] : Carl Linger Memorial Committee, [1999]

Holmes, Robyn. The collector's book of sheet music covers, Canberra : National Library of Australia, 2001

From Colonel Light into the footlights : the performing arts in South Australia from 1836 to the present Norwood, S. Aust. : Pagel Books, 1988

Advance Australia : South Australia and Federation

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