<P> `` Advance Australia Fair '' was composed in the late 19th century by Peter Dodds McCormick under the pen - name `` Amicus '' ( which means `` friend '' in Latin ) . It was first performed by Andrew Fairfax at a function of the Highland Society of New South Wales in Sydney on 30 November 1878 . The song quickly gained popularity and an amended version was sung by a choir of around 10,000 at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901 . In 1907 the Australian Government awarded McCormick £ 100 for his composition . </P>
<P> `` Advance Australia Fair '' was composed in the late 19th century by Peter Dodds McCormick under the pen - name `` Amicus '' ( which means `` friend '' in Latin ) . It was first performed by Andrew Fairfax at a function of the Highland Society of New South Wales in Sydney on 30 November 1878 . The song quickly gained popularity and an amended version was sung by a choir of around 10,000 at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901 . In 1907 the Australian Government awarded McCormick £ 100 for his composition . </P>
when was the australian national anthem first performed
when was the australian national anthem first performed
30 November 1878
30 November 1878