Song of Australia

In 1859 the Gawler Institute conducted a competition for an Australian anthem, over 40 years before the attainment of federation in 1901. The song of Australia won the competition; the Institute awarded cash prizes to Caroline Carleton for the words, and Carl Linger for the music. With her husband and two children, Caroline Carleton had arrived in South Australia from England in 1839. German born conductor and composer Linger had migrated to the colony in 1849.

For several generations South Australians sang this rousing anthem at school, and the song featured at many official functions. Attempts were made to have The song of Australia recognised as the official national song, but in 1984 Advance Australia fair was proclaimed as Australia's national anthem.

The Gawler Institute is shown on the cover of the particular edition of the sheet music for the song.