©Leonie Wheeler & Stuart Seymour 2015
Background:
The lyrics of the song sum up my sentiments about being Australian. I love this
amazing country in which we live… the diverse landscapes and the characters
that have been shaped by the land.
I am a descendant of the rich multicultural
heritage that forms the tapestry of our society, and am proud of my adopted
kinship connections to Arnhem Land.
I am proud of the courage of my ancestors and how they worked hard to make
Australia their new home.
With ancestors from the First Fleet (and yes they were convicts) and lineage from one of the first Italian families to come to North Queensland to be indentured as cane cutters, I wanted to express how proud I felt to be Australian in this song.
My dream is that we can all shine with the beauty of our own individuality, yet embrace each other with a common love, tolerance and respect, and unite as Australians.
Lyrics:
I have travelled across the sea
Seen places of great beauty
But there is something
Unique about this land
It’s not just about the country
Of riches rare and true
It’s about unity
And the spirit that shines through
There were those
Who came in the dreamtime
And ancestors like mine
Who came to these shores
With hope in heart
And sweat upon their brow
And though mistakes were made
And the scars to this day
That are found in history
We will heal but not forget
Chorus
I was made in Australia
I was made from this land
I’ve been tested and torn
But still I hold on
I will make a stand
For what I believe in
And the love I have for Australia
I have marched with my mates
Seen the ghosts of Hells Gates
Fought battles
For what I believed was right
And I will walk across this land
From the shores to the desert sands
Yes I am proud to be Australian
Chorus
Handmade in Australia
And that’s something
I am proud of