Digital Classroom

A portrait of a man. He has dark skin and hair. He is an Australian Indigenous man and is wearing a European style officers coat and trousers. His trousers are tattered at the cuffs. He is holding a tricorn hat in the air. In the background sailing ships can be see on the harbour. A large fort can be seen on a spit of land.

Augustus Earle, Portrait of Bungaree, a native of New South Wales, with Fort Macquarie, Sydney Harbour, in background [picture], 1826, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134114940

Indigenous experiences

Topic

Augustus Earle (1793–1838) was an artist working in the colony of New South Wales around 1825. He painted several portraits of Bungaree, a notable Aboriginal leader.

Humanities

Year 5

Australian history

First Australians

Burke and Wills Expedition (1860-1861), Robert O'Hara Burke (1821-1861), William John Wills (1834-1861), John King (1841-1872), FH Hawkins and DW Roberts (1860), Papers relating to the Burke and Wills Expedition, 1860-1861 [manuscript], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-229121922

Inland adventures

Topic

The Burke and Wills Expedition (also known as the Victorian or the Australian Exploring Expedition), was organised by the Royal Society of Victoria. It was the first expedition to cross the Australian continent from south to north.

Humanities

Year 5

Australian history

First Australians

A colour photograph of Anne Summers. Anne has shoulder length blonde hair and wears a red outfit and a large round necklace, standing against a red curtain background.

Craig Mackenzie, Portrait of Anne Summers at the National Library of Australia, 2013, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-132320638

Modern legacies in Australian feminism

Topic

Explore the evolution of feminist movements in contemporary Australia. Consider the impact and progress made, and challenges that remain in achieving gender equality through analysis of key feminist movements, figures and topics.

Humanities

Senior Secondary

Australian history

Australian women

An oval shaped bronze medal. The oval is made of a belt buckled at the bottom. At the top is a stylised royal crown. In the centre of the oval is a monogram made up of an intertwined "V.A." Behind the monogram is pattered red glass. Around the oval in raised letters are the words 'For gallantry in saving life on land'. The medal is held by a ribbon of red and white vertical stripes

Albert Medal presented to Aya-I-Ga, also known as Neighbour, for gallantry, 1911 [realia], 1912, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139608611

Neighbour and his bravery

Topic

The National Library of Australia’s collection includes the Albert Medal awarded to Aya-I-Ga, known as Neighbour, for gallantry.

Humanities

Year 6

Australian history

A photo of a large number of protestors gathered in front of the Victorian state library.

Francis Reiss, Protesters gathered outside the State Library in Swanston Street, Melbourne peace rally, 14 February 2003, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147324313

Participation and protest

Module

This resource is aligned with the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship for Year 8 students. It adopts an inquiry-based learning approach that develops a student’s understanding of Australians’ rights, freedoms and opportunities to participate in Australia’s democracy.

Humanities

Year 8

Australian history

Protest and dissent

A black-and-white photograph of Jessie Street seated at a desk representing Australia at a United Nations conference. She is wearing a white shirt and suit jacket and is writing, with other women visible beside her.

Jessie Street representing Australia at the United Nations, 194- , nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231551090

Prominent women in Australia’s feminist movement

Topic

Explore the contributions of key Australian feminists who shaped the fight for women's rights and reflect on their lasting impact on feminism today.

Humanities

Senior Secondary

Australian history

Australian women

Democracy

Government and politics

Law and legislation

Protest and dissent

An Aboriginal person dressed in a red coat with white breeches and black boots stands on a beach, just at the edge of the water. They wear a tricorn hat with a red naval officer jacket and holds a scroll. In the background, a large, multi-masted sailing ship with white sails is anchored on calm waters under an overcast sky.

Michael Cook, Undiscovered #4, 2010, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-708299938

Reshaping narratives of Australian history

Topic

Examine how increasing recognition of First Nations cultures and perspectives is reshaping the national conversation about Australia's post-European settlement history.

Humanities

Senior Secondary

Australian history

Explorers

First Australians