TRISHA Ryan is a local great-great-grandmother who has contributed to Coffs Harbour in many ways since moving here in 1964.

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As well as presenting the ‘Sunday Serenade’ on 2AIRFM community radio for nineteen years and running the Coffs Harbour newsagency for eighteen years, she volunteered to organise numerous functions and activities for the community over that time.

In 1983 Trisha was Secretary of the Coffs Harbour Bicentennial Committee and organised the Coffs Harbour Australia Day celebrations.

Trisha shared with News Of The Area, “As part of the program I wrote a second verse for the Australian National Anthem which was performed on the night by the C.W.A. Choir and the Coffs Brass Band.

“It was very well received, and some members of the Council suggested it should be submitted to the Government for approval but nothing was done and so it was forgotten.”

“With the recent alteration of the wording, the Leader of the opposition, Mr Anthony Albanese suggested that the wording did not go far enough and so I would like to submit the wording which I wrote in 1983 as my contribution.”

Trisha’s suggested second verse is as follows:

“The shining Southern Cross above will guide us on our way

“To make this wide brown land of ours grow greater day by day

“Integrity must be our aim, we proudly do our share

“In time of need let us proclaim; Australia will be there!

“Tomorrow’s what we make today

“ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR!”

What do you think?

By David TUNE