Yer just put this one in to jerk my cable did'nt ya? I don't know of any Australian Shanties. Shanties are usually broken down into Royal Navy (or Military) and Merchant service; then into Capstan or Hauling Shanties to suit the work at hand. Nationality wise it depends who wrote them I suppose, but generally speaking British sailors would sing ones they liked from America or Australia; and Americans would sing ones they liked from the British or Australians. We just forgot to "Copyright" them. The words were improvised by the Shantyman to the personal characteristics of his ship and mates. It is very hard to attribute the many different versions of the same song to any nation in particular. Blow the Man Down Bullies and Donkey Riding have so many variations that I could not count the verses I have heard over the years. I do hope that sailors write more verses; and that these old songs never die. Yours, Aye. Dave