ABSTRACT
Nationalism is a pervasive and often unstated force in shaping educational systems. In Australia, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day is a significant day of remembrance and reflection on citizenship. Patriotic songs and national anthems have been a staple of Australian school musical activity since the inception of the modern school system which began In most parts of what is now Australia in the late nineteenth century. In 2004, the then Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Dr. Brendan Nelson MP, introduced legislation to make Australian Government funding for schools conditional on the implementation by schools of key requirements. ANZAC Day was first observed in 1916 by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia, a march by over 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) has issued annual books of songs for primary school children.
