25th anniversary tour for ‘I am Australian’

Do you remember the ballad I am Australian? It goes:

We are one, but we are many

And from all the lands on earth we come

We share a dream and sing with one voice:

I am, you are, we are Australian

The song and its words remain as much in the present today as they were when they were written 25 years ago in 1987.  Written by founding member of The Seekers, Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers, the song is taught widely in schools and was once mooted as Australia’s national anthem.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the song, Bruce Woodley is travelling around the country with the Australian Youth Choir and Dance Theatre performing in 5 national concerts.

The words of the song express the sentiments of Australia with references to icons that define the culture, like ‘Diggers’, Ned Kelly and Albert Namatjira. It’s been recorded by trio Judith Durham of The Seekers, Russell Hitchcock, from Air Supply and Yothu Yindi’s Mandawuy Yunupingu. EMI Australia released it as a single which reached number 17 on the Australian ARIA Charts. It has grown with the nation’s history, acquiring two additional verses in 2009, to commemorate the official National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Black Saturday Bushfires.

Long-time patron of the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre, Bruce Woodley is looking forward to performing with the talented youngsters. He says “The song “I Am Australian” has found its way in to the homes and hearts of millions of Australians because it speaks in a contemporary way about what it means to be Australian.”

The National Institute of Youth Performing Arts (NIYPAA) is a pre-eminent nationwide co-educational children’s choir and dance organisation. Its programs include the Australian Youth Choir and National Youth Dance Theatre. NIYPAA has programs in 37 locations throughout Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Perth.

Tickets from $33 for adults with pensioner and children’s concessions available.

Please check www.niypaa.com.au for prices in your capital city.

Bookings: Call NIYPAA on 03 9836 6566

Auditions are currently being held nationally. Visit www.niypaa.com.au to arrange an audition.