Was Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Paterson going to be the Australian national anthem?

"Waltzing Matilda" had a chance of becoming Australia's national anthem in the 1970s/1980s. Back in 1973 then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam wanted a new national anthem instead of "God Save the Queen" and a competition was held. None of the new entries was considered worthy enough, so the existing songs "Advance Australia Fair", "Waltzing Matilda" and "Song of Australia" were proposed. A 1974 national poll found that "Advance Australia Fair" was the most popular choice. In 1977 the Fraser government held a referendum and attached a national plebiscite to choose the National song. "Advance Australia Fair" won with 43%, "Waltzing Matilda" with 28% and "Song of Australia" with 10%, keeping "God Save the Queen" had 19%. Finally in 1984 the Hawke government adopted "Advance Australia Fair" as the national anthem. For "Waltzing Matilda" to become the Australian national anthem would require an extremely wide-spread ground swell of popular support, intense lobbying of federal members and probably another naitonal plebiscite to confirm its choice. Timing would be important, perhaps during next serious fling at becoming a Republic: some will argue for a new national anthem, not to mention a new flag. Fortunately enough people regard the choice of a song about an itinerant stealing a sheep and drowning rather than be taken into custody as somewhat less dignified as the nation's anthem than the present choice.