This thesis is concerned with examining images of Australia and Australians in television advertising. The phenomenon of commercial nationalism will be primarily investigated through an analysis of advertisements broadcast on television during Australia's Bicentennial year in 1988, while a smaller sample of advertisements from 1989 to 1994 will also be examined. This research will also examine the ways in which commercial nationalism - the adoption of national signifiers in the marketplace, is related to the overall themes and symbols of official nationalism - the promotion of nationalism by the nation-state.