Kookaburras: not gay

Photo © 2001 AAP Photo/Russell McPhedran

Le Page Primary School in Melbourne has dropped the word 'gay' from the classic Kookaburra Sits In The Old Gum Tree in an attempt to make the song more politically correct.

Principal Garry Martin replaced the word 'gay' with 'fun', so the line "gay your life must be" changes to "fun your life must be".

The Principal defended his decision, saying he "knew if we sing 'gay your life must be' the kids will roll around the floor in fits of laughter."

But the change has drawn outrage today, bringing more controversy to the 75-year-old song which was at the centre of a legal battle over a riff used in Men at Work's hit Down Under.

Gay and lesbian advocacy group The Also Foundation said the ban was absurd. Their representative, Crusader Hillis, explains: "I don't think that's a very good message for kids to have, particularly when they've been working really hard to bring in respect and diversity into schools."

On national TV this morning, Principal Martin began backtracking on his decision, saying he perhaps should have discussed the true meaning of the word with the children. "In hindsight, that is what I probably should have done. I just didn't realise the implications."

Was it fair to change the song’s lyrics to avoid laughter? Or should the kids be taught that words can have different meanings? Can’t we just accept kookaburras for who they are? Log in below and have your say!