The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular (original soundtrack) The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular (original soundtrack) All poetry narrated in the musical was written by Banjo Paterson, including ""Waltzing Matilda"" (for which the music was written by M. Cowan). Bruce Rowland, who composed the instrumental music for both the 1982 film The Man from Snowy River film and its sequel 1988 film The Man from Snowy River II (American title: "Return to Snowy River"), composed special arrangements of some of his music for the musical. Rowland was the musical arranger who also conducted the orchestra for the musical. Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter wrote the music and
Advance Australia Fair as a plebiscite to choose the National Song, held as an optional additional question in the 1977 referendum on various issues. "Advance Australia Fair" received 43.29% of the vote, defeating the three alternatives, "Waltzing Matilda" (28.28%), "Song of Australia" (9.65%) and the existing national anthem, "God Save the Queen" (18.78%). "Advance Australia Fair", with modified lyrics from the original (see development of lyrics), was adopted as the Australian national anthem on 19 April 1984 by a proclamation by the Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, on a recommendation by the Labor government of Bob Hawke. "God Save the Queen", now known as