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The Australian National Anthem and Citizenship Pledge will be accessible to millions of new Australians after they were translated in more than 60 languages in a landmark initiative by SBS Audio.
The project will be formally launched on Citizenship Day on 17 September at a special citizenship ceremony at Government House in Canberra presided over by Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC.
The ceremony will celebrate our newest Australians, recognising the valued contribution of those from diverse migrant and refugee backgrounds to Australian society.
The initiative is available for free and online and features many of the languages most commonly spoken by new migrants and refugee communities in Australia.
Mostyn said the national anthem held a distinctive place in Australia’s shared story and commended SBS for the initiative.
“Making it available in many of the languages spoken across our nation will help all Australians understand the beauty and symbolism behind the words we hear at our national commemorations, events, school assemblies and more,” she said.
“These are moments that make me proud to be Australian.”
SBS’s Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said multiculturalism was one of Australia’s great strengths and the initiative demonstrated a celebration of our differences.
“SBS is helping ensure every Australian can engage with these national symbols in ways that reflect and respect our shared diversity,” she said.
David Hua, SBS’s Director of Language and Audio Content, said for 50 years it had been the broadcaster’s purpose to reflect Australia and foster a more cohesive society.
“The national anthem is something we all hear often, and this project makes it more accessible, building belonging and pride by deepening understanding of its meaning,” he said.
This initiative follows SBS’s successful delivery of multilingual versions of Acknowledgement of Country, Ode of Remembrance, and Uluru Statement from the Heart over recent years.
