WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
A STUDY GUIDE BY KATY MARRINER
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
http://www.theeducationshop.com.au WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
any Australians know very little about their ries of prominent people. Developed and first pro- family’s history. In the second series of duced by a British production company, Wall To Wall MWho Do You Think You Are?, six prominent Television, the format premiered on the BBC in 2004, Australians – AFL legend Ron Barassi, actors Sigrid inspiring millions of Britons to research their family Thornton and Ben Mendelsohn, cook Maggie Beer, trees. Margie Bryant of Serendipity Productions saw singer Christine Anu and musician John Butler – play the first episode when it screened in the UK and some detective as they go in search of their family history. months later she and Perth-based executive producer Each episode offers an honest and revealing account Brian Beaton of Artemis International optioned the of their decision to discover their own family’s past rights as a co-production.
and its role in who they are today. Along the way, they SCREEN EDUCATION realise that their stories are inextricably linked to the This study guide has been written for secondary story of the nation – that their identity, just like all of students. It provides information and suggestions ours, is part of Australia’s identity. for learning activities in Australian Studies, English, Geography, Australian History, Media, SOSE and Who Do You Think You Are? is a documentary series curriculum projects exploring the concepts of identity, chronicling the social, ethnic and cultural evolution of belonging and family. 2 our national identity through the personal family histo-
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? EPISODE GUIDE Series 2 of Who Do You Think You Are? begins 27 September 2009 on SBS One
Ron Barassi Sigrid Thornton Ben Mendelsohn
Footy legend and latter day ‘knight in Film and television actress Sigrid Thorn- Actor Ben Mendelsohn sets out to find if shining armour’ Ron Barassi has always ton uncovers an epic tale of dark deeds he really is related to Felix Mendelssohn, believed that actions speak louder than and an ancestor whose life was stranger the famous composer of the ‘Wedding words. He traces the Barassi family line than fiction. Known for her role as the March’. He traces his paternal family line back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and magistrate Laura in SeaChange, Sigrid back to the heart of Europe and discovers Victorian gold rush, and also discovers a investigates the reasons why her ances- a thread of musical heritage in surpris- heartrending tale of violence, tragedy and tors had a tendency to get into trouble ing quarters. In England, in search of his redemption. with the law. maternal ancestry, Ben discovers a tale of success, heartbreak and failure of Dicken- sian proportions.
Christine Anu Maggie Beer John Butler
Singer Christine Anu wants to understand Celebrity cook Maggie Beer discovers Musician and activist John Butler hopes SCREEN EDUCATION why music is so important in her life. a larger than life convict bigamist with a to find poets, musicians and revolutionar- Her deeply emotional journey takes her penchant for telling very tall tales when ies in his past. He traces the Butler name to England and the Torres Strait Islands she explores her family’s history. through generations of hardship to a where she discovers a heritage of music matriarch who sang for her survival and and culture beyond her wildest dreams. traces his Bulgarian heritage to an ances- tor caught up in a violent revolt. 3
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Read about Series 2 of Who Do You Think You Are? and In what ways is your family documenting the story of the contribute comments about episodes at
Key themes When did your family settle in Australia? How has your family contributed to the history of Australia? Identity Belonging What does the saying ‘skeletons in the closet’ mean? Family Inheritance After viewing Generational change Allow students to share their personal impressions Using Who Do You Think You Are? in the of each episode and of the series as a whole. classroom Which episode did you prefer? Why? Teachers may select from the following activities to support students’ viewing and close analysis of Who Do You Think Would you participate in a program like Who Do You You Are?. Think You Are??
Before viewing As a class, discuss the meaning of the series’ title. As an individual create an A4 statement using images What do you know about your family’s history? Share and words to depict your answer to the question ‘who do your stories of your family history with the class. you think you are?’. When the class has completed this task, photocopy the responses and compile them to form Are you interested in learning more about your ancestry? a class album.
What do we inherit from our ancestors? Having viewed Who Do You Think You Are?, what did you learn about the different types of records we should make What role, if any, does family history play in your everyday for future generations? existence? As a class, discuss the challenges of making a documen- Why is it important to know about your family’s past? tary series like Who Do You Think You Are?. Do you think the presence of a film crew influenced the behaviour of Do your relatives speak about the family’s past? What the participants? Do you think an ordinary person could stories do they tell? Ask your parents and grandparents achieve the same knowledge about their family, or is it about what they know about your family’s history. What a case of who you know and having a television crew did you learn that you didn’t know before? behind you?
Take a look through your family’s photograph albums. Is Who Do You Think You Are? entertaining? Does it track your family tree? Is Who Do You Think You Are? educational? Who is the keeper of your family’s history? Why is it im- portant to keep family records? Series 1
Have your family kept documents that tell the story of Did you watch Series 1 of Who Do You Think You Are?? your family’s history? Do you have a box of family keep- sakes? Read about and view Series 1 of Who Do You Think You Are? at Are you making a record of your life story? Is it difficult to episodes/page/season/1>. SCREEN EDUCATION conceive that future generations will want to know about you? 4 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Series Two In 1965, keen to test his skills as coach, Barassi Episode 7 accepted a lucrative contract and joined Carlton as Ron Barassi captain-coach. The decision shocked the football world. He guided Carlton to its first premiership in ‘Both as a player and a coach, Ron Barassi twenty-one years in 1968. In 1971, Barassi left Carlton has developed a reputation for being a tough to focus on a career in business, only to be lured uncompromising man of principle.’ – Narrator out of retirement two years later to coach a then- struggling North Melbourne. He took over as coach in Ronald Dale Barassi was born on 27 February 1936. 1973, and led North Melbourne to their first premier- He was the only son of Ronald James Barassi and ship just three years later. In 1981 Barassi returned Elza Ray. to Melbourne. The team had fallen on hard times. Barassi set about revitalising the club. His stint as Barassi is an Australian sporting legend. For more coach lasted five years, before he left to pursue new than fifty years, Barassi has made a significant contri- business interests and media commitments. Football’s bution to Australian Rules football. As a player, cap- lure proved strong and in 1993, Barassi took over as tain, coach and media commentator he has influenced coach of the Sydney Swans. the way the game is played and regarded by others. In his three seasons at the club, he helped put the Determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, Barassi Sydney Swans and AFL football on the map in the bypassed the zoning system of the day and began rugby league heartland of New South Wales. SCREEN EDUCATION his football career at the Melbourne Football Club. Melbourne was a dominant force in the 1950s and Today, Barassi has a prolific public speaking career, Barassi quickly developed into a talented footballer many media commitments, and a wide variety of other and a fierce competitor. He was appointed vice-cap- business interests. tain in 1957 and then captain in 1960. Barassi helped Melbourne win six premierships, two as captain and % Had you heard of Ron Barassi before viewing Who 5 two as vice-captain. Do You Think You Are?? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Use the internet to find out more about Ron. Begin In the early hours of New Year’s Day, 2009, Ron came your search at ‘Well I feel I’m a very lucky person. Lucky to be born What does this incident tell you about Ron Barassi? with good genes. And I thank my parents for that. Lucky to have some sporting ability. That to a degree What does Ron know about his family’s history? is chance.’ Why does Ron want to learn about his family’s ‘I’ve been dealt good cards. I’m interested in finding history? out what my ancestors made of their lives because you’re dealt the cards and you should be judged on Ron’s father, Ronald James Barassi played for how you then play those cards.’ Melbourne Football Club. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Like father, like son’? What does it mean? ‘More than anything people should be judged on What talents and skills do you think you have what they do with the circumstances that prevail at inherited from your parents? the time.’ – Ron ‘Dad went away just after I was four. And the news SCREEN EDUCATION What do these claims reveal about how Ron sees came of his death when i was five …’ – Ron the world? Do you think his perspective changes because of what he learns about his family’s history? Barassi’s father enlisted to fight in World War Two in 1939 and was killed in action in Tobruk. ‘In my code of conduct a big person – a male or female – trying to belt up a small person, a defence- 6 less person, is just wrong.’ – Ron WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Tobruk, a part of the North African coast, was stra- While Ron is happy to be Irish and doesn’t mind tegic to the Germans and Italians plan to dominate that John Harte came to Australia as a convict, the the Mediterranean and cut off supplies to England offence leaves him uncertain about researching his and her allies. The allies thwarted these plans family’s past. John Harte was found guilty of the by capturing Tobruk from the Italians. In January manslaughter of his wife. 1941, German forces led by General Rommel laid siege to Tobruk placing it under constant artillery Do you have a convict in the family? What does bombardment and air raids. Ron think of having a convict in his family tree, initially and then after he knows the offence? Ron travels to Canberra to find records of his father’s life and death on the frontline. He visits Newspaper reports of the time reveal that John the National Archives of Australia, the war Harte’s ten-year-old son, another John Harte, memorial and meets with Ronald Williamson testified as an eyewitness. and Bert Beverley, two men from his father’s unit. The irony of the discovery is not lost on Ron: What does Ron learn about his father’s time as Corporal Ronald James Barassi? How does he Here I am being on the front pages of all the react? Does he find what he is looking for? newspapers in Australia on men hitting women. Defending the women and then, then I find out that ‘My mother took me up there to live ‘cause she one of my great great great whatever grandfathers, had to stay in Melbourne where the jobs were.’ murdered a woman under the influence of drugs, – Ron called alcohol, so. Phew. Ron acknowledges that the most dominant male in What does Ron learn about John Harte senior? his youth was his grandfather Carlo Barassi. Carlo lived in Guildford, Victoria. Ron remembers him as ‘I can see that he’s realised what an awful thing a ‘strict man’. he’d done. He’s made severe and serious at- tempts at redemption.’ – Ron Ron wants to learn the truth about his grandfather and great grandfather’s relationship. Read the excerpt from a letter written in March 1831 from John Harte to a friend in Dublin: What does he discover? But I must enquire after my poor destitute chil- ‘… why would my great grandfather come all the dren. Give them the endearing respect of me, their way from Europe to Jim Crow?’ – Ron broken-hearted, wretched and unhappy parent. Tell them if they wish to come out here I will, in about Writing as Ron, send a postcard to your wife, two years; be more enabled to get them. Tell John telling her about what you have learnt about in particular never to harbour an idea that I enter- Giuseppe Barassi. tain the slightest concern about him for the part he acted. The contrary is the fact. ‘I don’t like blank spots in any investigation.’ – Ron) What does John Harte’s story tell us about Ron’s discovery that Ann Connolly Dale was the redemption and reconciliation? reason for the conflict between his grandfather SCREEN EDUCATION Carlo and his great grandfather Giuseppe, sparks Write an obituary for John Harte senior that would his interest in this branch of his family tree. have appeared in a newspaper of the time. Ann’s grandfather John Harte is an enigma. Make an A3 collage that tells the story of Ron’s search for his family’s story. Ron discovers that John Harte was born in Ireland 7 in County Clare. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Episode 8 SeaChange (1997–2000). Thornton’s more recent Sigrid Thornton television appearances include the telemovie Little Oberon (2005) and hosting the lifestyle show What’s ‘Actress Sigrid Thornton is best known for her roles in Good For You (2006–2007). Thornton has just com- The Man from Snowy River [George Miller, 1982] and menced filming on Underbelly 3. SeaChange. Staking her claim as the archetypal feisty heroine.’ – Narrator Thornton is also known for her stage roles, includ- ing a production of The Blue Room in 2000. In 2009, Sigrid Thornton was born on 12 February 1959 and is Thornton made her debut with Opera Australia in its the second-born child of Neil Sylvester Thornton and production of A Little Night Music. Merle Estelle Wilson. She has served on a number of boards linked to the Thornton is one of Australia’s loved actresses. She Australian film and television industry and is well began her career in 1975 with guest roles on Division known for her work with charities including World Four and Homicide for Crawford productions. Thorn- Vision, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, the ton has starred in many films that are now regarded Royal Children’s Hospital and the Reach Foundation. as classics of Australian cinema including The Getting of Wisdom (Bruce Beresford, 1978), The Man From Thornton lives with her husband, son and daughter in Snowy River, The Lighthorsemen (Simon Wincer, inner-city Melbourne. 1987), Slate, Wyn & Me (Don McLennan, 1987) and The Man From Snowy River II (Geoff Burrowes, 1988). Had you heard of Sigrid Thornton before viewing Who Do You Think You Are?? SCREEN EDUCATION The mini-series All the Rivers Run (1981) consolidated Thornton’s profile in the United States and she was Use the internet to find out more about Sigrid. offered the lead role of Amelia Lawson in Paradise Begin your search at WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Draw on your existing knowledge and the content Alexander Phemister in 1877. of the episode to complete this task. Mary Ellen was called Little Ellen. How does Sigrid see the world? Do you think her perspective changes because of what she learns Ellen and Alexander lived in Upper Copmanhurst, about her family’s history? just out of Grafton in New South Wales. It was where they raised their twelve children. The ‘I haven’t really asked my parents much about my Phemisters were the second generation of a mainly ancestry. It’s not that I haven’t been interested, it’s Scottish immigrant community. When the lush pas- just that it hasn’t been the focus of my attention.’ tures of Copmanhurst were opened up for maize – Sigrid farming in the late 1850s, the Phemisters seized what appeared to be a golden opportunity. What does Sigrid know about her family’s history? ‘She had ten children in fire and flood.’ – Merle What does Sigrid hope to discover about her family’s history? Sigrid travels to Upper Copmanhurst to see if there is any truth to this family legend. Sigrid at the outset claims her suspicion that she comes from a strong line of women, ‘I grew up in a What does she discover? very politically active and even volatile household. Mum and dad were very politically active.’ Sigrid finds a copy of Mary Ellen Phemister’s obituary published on 5 February 1940. SCREEN EDUCATION What does the archival news footage tell us about Sigrid’s mum? Do you think this is a reason why What does this public document tell Sigrid about Sigrid thinks of herself as having descended from her great great grandmother? a line of strong women? When the crops failed, the Phemisters faced bank- Mary Ellen McLaughlin is Sigrid’s great great ruptcy. Her great great grandfather took to drink- 9 grandmother on her maternal side. She married ing. Sigrid discovers that Alexander set fire to The WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Commercial Hotel in Copmanhurst. He pleaded because there was very little historical evidence guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly. about dad’s family tree and this sheds some light To a second charge of making use of obscene on it.’ – Sigrid language he also pleaded guilty. Alexander faced a jail sentence of ten years if he was found guilty Sigrid believes that ‘shame’ got in the way of the of setting fire to the hotel. family history being handed down. Do you think this is plausible? What does Sigrid learn about Alexander’s ‘habits of intemperance’? Sigrid travels to the UK to investigate the circumstances leading to Sylvester Thornton’s Sigrid meets 82-year-old Brian Phemister, Alexan- transportation. der’s and Mary Ellen’s last remaining grandson. Sigrid meets Lancaster Castle’s historian Eric What insight does he offer? Wilkinson and Labour Historian Christine Goodier. How do they help? Alexander was saved from jail by a community peti- tion. What does this gesture say about Alexander? Discuss the details of Sylvester’s case. Was Sylvester a willing participant in industrial How does Sigrid decide to think of Alexander? sabotage? Was Sylvester framed? Was he the scapegoat? What does Sigrid believe? Sigrid’s attention shifts to her paternal ancestors. Sigrid’s father knows a story about Sylvester, an an- What does Sigrid learn about Sylvester’s life as tecedent, who owned a hotel in Muswellbrook in the a convict and as a free man? Hunter Valley in New South Wales. The story goes that when faced with financial problems, he shot ‘I think the saddest thing about his life is he didn’t himself. Sigrid decides to find out the truth about get long, he didn’t get long enough.’ – Sigrid Sylvester her paternal great great grandfather. Sylvester died at age thirty-five having lost everything. SCREEN EDUCATION Sigrid visits the NSW Records Office. What does she discover? What does Sigrid learn about the circumstances of Sylvester’s death? What sense does Sigrid make Sylvester arrived in Sydney in 1826 as a sixteen- of it all? year-old convict. His crime was arson. Make an A3 collage that tells the story of Sigrid’s 10 ‘I mean this is an amazing revelation to me search for her family’s story. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Episode 9 sort of way. Interviews are usually linked to publicis- Ben Mendelsohn ing a new film rather than providing an insight into his personal life and unlike others in the entertainment ‘Over the past twenty-five years we have watched industry he does not have an official website. Ben Mendelsohn grow up on screen to become one of Australia’s leading character actors. Throughout his Had you heard of Ben Mendelsohn before viewing career, he’s had the tendency to play the bad boy Who Do You Think You Are?? Use the internet to larrikin or a man burdened with the baggage of a find out more about Ben. Share your findings with fractured family’ – Narrator others in the class. Ben Mendelsohn was born Paul Benjamin Mendel- ‘Who do you think you are?’ What do you think sohn on 3 April 1969, in Melbourne. He is the oldest Ben would say in response to this question? Draw son of Frederick Mendelsohn and Carol Ann Fergu- on your existing knowledge and the content of the son. episode to complete this task. Mendelsohn began his career as an actor as a teenag- ‘My mother’s family is very salt of the earth, work- er in the television series The Henderson Kids. His first ing class stock, and my father’s family is very kind feature film The Year My Voice Broke (John Duigan, of, I suppose they’re intellectual, you know.’ – Ben 1987) saw Mendelsohn win an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Supporting Actor. Other film credits What does Ben know about his family’s history? include The Big Steal (Nadia Tass, 1990), Spotswood (Mark Joffe, 1992), Map of the Human Heart (Vincent ‘I have a curiosity as to why it is that my family Ward, 1993), Sirens (John Duigan, 1993), Metal Skin ended up the way they did.’ – Ben (Geoffrey Wright, 1994), Cosi (Mark Joffe, 1996), Idiot Box (David Caesar, 1996), Amy (Nadia Tass, 1997), Why does Ben want to learn about his family’s Vertical Limit (Martin Campbell, 2000) and Mullet history? SCREEN EDUCATION (David Caesar, 2001). In 2006 and 2007, Mendelsohn starred in the second and third seasons of the televi- ‘But there’ll be no tears. There’ll be no weepy- sion series Love My Way and in 2008 he appeared in weepy. I don’t do that. I don’t look at the world like Baz Luhrmann’s Australia. His most recent film credits that.’ – Ben include Knowing (Alex Proyas, 2009) and Beautiful Kate (Rachel Ward, 2009). How does Ben see the world? Do you think his 11 perspective changes because of what he learns Mendelsohn’s personal life is lived in a low profile about his family’s history? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? ‘So could Ben’s remarkable talent for acting be Ben’s search for a link to his famous nineteenth- inherited? According to family legend, his creative century German namesake takes him to the other gene might be part of the legacy of the Mendel- side of the world. Menthein and Henrietta Men- sohn surname.’ – Narrator delsohn were Saul’s parents and Ben’s great great grandfather and grandmother. Schneidemuhl once Ben would like to find out if he is related to the part of Prussia is now called Pila and is in modern ‘very notable Mendelssohns’, particularly Felix day Poland. During the Second World War, Schnei- Mendelssohn the composer who wrote the wed- demuhl was strategic to both the Germans and the ding march. Russians. In the final months of the conflict it was heavily bombed, leaving very little of the pre-war Do we all want someone notable in our family tree? buildings of Schneidemuhl standing. Have you ever claimed to be related to someone famous? Do any of your family members past have What does Ben find in Scneidemuhl? How does a claim to fame? he feel? Ben’s father acknowledges that he has often been Genealogist Andre Bentschneider helps Ben dis- asked if he is related to Felix Mendelsshon. cover more about the Mendelsohns. Her research allows Ben to trace his family back another genera- Does your surname ever mean you are asked this tion. Great great great grandfather Berel Mendel- type of question? sohn was a wool merchant living in Schneidemuhl. Ben’s Aunt Thea has inherited her father’s pos- Why is Berel’s story important? sessions. Oscar Mendelsohn is Ben’s paternal grandfather. Given the two s Mendelssohns lived in the privi- leged world of the upper class in Hamburg and What does Ben learn at his Aunt Thea’s? What Berlin it is unlikely that the worlds met. Ben accepts does Ben think of Oscar? that there is no relation and tells his father of his discovery. ‘Why Nanango?’ – Ben Ben decides to follow his maternal bloodline to At age sixteen, Ben’s great grandfather Saul or Sali see if he can find some explanation of his dramatic Mendelsohn left behind his family in Berlin to begin a leanings. Carol Anne Ferguson, Ben’s mother died new life in Australia. He settled in Nanango in 1860. in 2004. His Aunt Sue helps him with the research. Who does Ben meet in Nanango? What does Ben Ben’s great great great grandmother was Elizabeth SCREEN EDUCATION learn about Saul and his life in Australia? How does Tempany, born in Cambridge in 1842. Elizabeth Ben regard his great grandfather? and six of her siblings migrated to Australia. The photograph of an elderly Elizabeth as a patient at Writing as Ben, send a postcard to Aunt Thea and Kew Asylum elicits Ben’s sympathy. Elizabeth’s your father Fred, telling them about Saul Mendel- brother William Samuel Tempany was the first to sohn. make the journey in 1847. He was transported for 12 the term of seven years for horse stealing. ‘Let’s go to Schneidemuhl.’ – Ben WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? How does Ben react to the news that there was Bankrupt and destitute, Andrew John Tempany a convict in the family? Do you agree with Ben’s was admitted to the Holborn Workhouse on 8 claim about most Australians wanting to claim that November 1875 and died four months later. there is a convict in the family? Write an obituary for Andrew John Tempany that ‘I mean, I love the idea that somehow he’s some, would have appeared in a newspaper of the time. you know, theatrical dude.’ – Ben ‘There’s really only me, carrying the bright flame Elizabeth’s father was Andrew John Tempany, for dear old Andrew Tempany.’ – Ben paperstainer and gentleman. Ben discovers that with funds raised by a number of Cambridge un- The way Andrew Tempany and his life ended is dergraduates, Andrew built the Jesus Lane Theatre horrendous. But I can’t help thinking that in some in Cambridge in the 1830s. Andrew John Tempany way … he couldn’t have pictured that his great- is Ben’s theatrical ancestor. Ben travels to Cam- great-great-grandson would come here. That he bridge to unravel the mystery of his great great would be honoured in an age … honoured by be- great great grandfather. ing remembered in an age which is unrecognisable from his own. – Ben What does Ben discover? ‘He’s playing to a very big stage now.’ – Ben That said, Andrew was, in truth, equally reck- less and improvident … at home and abroad. He ‘So it’s a wonderful gift we can give to the seemed to prefer a hand-to-mouth state of exist- departed.’ – Ben ence, and his ordinary habits, possibly engendered SCREEN EDUCATION the quickness and fertility of resource that I have Use these claims to discuss how Ben makes sometimes witnessed in him. sense of all that he has learnt about Andrew John Tempany? What does Ben make of this description of Andrew J. Tempany? Make an A3 collage that tells the story of Ben’s search for his family’s story. 13 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Episode 10 berman), an Australian feature film, as well as a stage version of The Little Shop of Horrors in the same year. Christine Anu Her stage career continued with a role in Rent in 1998 and 1999. She had a minor role in Moulin Rouge! (Baz Christine Anu burst onto the music scene in the mid Luhrmann, 2001) and appeared in The Matrix Re- 1990s with her version of ‘My Island Home’. It became loaded (Andy Wachowski & Larry Wachowski 2003) as an iconic national song reflecting Australia’s Island Kali, a character that she went on to play in the video identity and the islands of the Torres Strait where game Enter the Matrix. Christine’s ancestors come from. – Narrator) In 2004, Anu became a judge on Channel Seven’s Christine Anu was born on 15 March 1970 in Cairns, Popstars Live, a television talent quest. When asked Queensland to Torres Strait Islander parents. Chris- to offer harsher criticism of the contestants, Anu tine’s mother Zipporah was born on Saibai, a Torres refused and resigned. She was adamant that the Strait Island just south of Papua New Guinea. Chris- contestants were deserving of encouragement and tine’s biological father is unknown. not derision. Anu is an Aria award winning recording artist. She Anu is the mother of two children, a son Kuiam born began performing as a dancer and later went on to in 1996 and a daughter Zipporah born in 2000. sing back up vocals for The Rainmakers. Her first recording was in 1993, a dance remake of Paul Kelly’s Had you heard of Christine Anu before viewing song ‘Last Train’. The follow up ‘Monkey and Turtle’ Who Do You Think You Are?. was based on a traditional story. Popular success came with Anu’s recording of Neil Murray’s ‘My Island Use the internet to find out more about Christine. Home’ (1995). Her first album Stylin’ Up (1995) went Begin your search at Anu sang ‘My Island Home’ at the Sydney 2000 Olym- ‘Who do you think you are?’ What do you think SCREEN EDUCATION pics Closing Ceremony. She released her third studio Christine would say in response to this question? album 45 Degrees in 2003, her first live album Acous- Draw on your existing knowledge and the content tically in 2005 and her fourth studio album Chrissy’s of the episode to complete this task. Island Family in 2007. Christine’s mother Zipporah was born on Saibai, Anu has also pursued a career in acting. In 1996, she a Torres Strait Island just south of Papua New 14 appeared in Dating the Enemy (Megan Simpson Hu- Guinea. Christine’s biological father is unknown. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? What else does Christine know about her family’s Photographs are a type of primary document. They history? tell our story and connect us to our past. ‘I’ve always wanted to understand better what Find a photograph of you as a baby. What does parts of me come from my ancestry. You know it tell you about you and your family? Now find music’s been a part of who I am since I can photographs of your parents as babies. What do remember.’ – Christine the photographs reveal? Christine’s decision to move to the big smoke Discuss the symbolism of Christine’s red meant that she moved away from her family and notebook. her culture. Having made a career for herself as a musician and started a family of her own, Woerkar was the mother of Christine’s grandfather Christine wants to return to her past. She claims Nadi Anu. it is a neglected aspect of her life. What does Christine learn about great grandmother Why does Christine want to learn about her Woerkar? family’s history? What does Christine learn about her great great What is Christine’s attitude to her culture and grandmother Iwan and her great great grandfather its traditions? Kuse? Listen to ‘My Island Home’. Why do you think Mum told me that Kuse was a missionary but deep Christine wanted to record this song? in my heart of hearts I’m hoping that this isn’t true because I would like to hope that my side of the How does Christine see the world? Do you think family weren’t the ones that were very quick to her perspective changes because of what she adopt what the white people were bringing in. learns about her family’s history? – Christine SCREEN EDUCATION ‘My family doesn’t have many photographs. We Did you understand Christine’s resistance to didn’t own cameras or had no way to develop this idea? the film.’ – Christine Christine accesses the records of Reverend Christine doesn’t even have a photograph of Archibald Hunt who was sent to train local men herself as a baby. of the Torres Strait Islands to become missionaries 15 in what is now known as Papua New Guinea. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? ‘I’d love to understand why Kuse became a mis- sound recordings made by a British expedition. sionary. I don’t know what would have attracted Her great great great uncle Gemetu sings ‘Mauwau him, why he would have taken on this thing called na Puidam’ (‘Mask Song’). religion.’ – Christine Did you expect Christine’s trip to Cambridge and Does Christine find an explanation? London to be so successful? How does Christine come to view Kuse’s decision Christine visits Saibai, her ancestral home, to find to embrace Christianity? out more about her great grandmother Waiwai. ‘Oh we’ve been told by our elders. That’s how we, What does Christine learn about her great grand- I get the knowledge.’ – Zipporah mother Waiwai? Christine depends on the memories of her mother He was an amazing person. You know he was and other relatives. As a class discuss the impor- known by a lot of people and loved.’ – Christine tance of oral histories. How is your family ensuring that these stories are preserved? What memories does Christine have of her grand- father Nadi? Early records about the Torres Strait islands are kept in Cambridge in England. It is there that Nadi was known as a song man. He was a com- Christine accesses records from a famous anthro- poser and a singer. pological expedition to the Torres Strait Islands led by Alfred Court Haddon in 1898. ‘I wonder if, in discovering the words of the songs, if they will give me a better understanding of my Haddon wanted to record the language and cus- grandfather.’ – Christine toms of Torres Strait Islanders before the influence of missionaries changed their traditional culture What do Nadi’s songs tell us about him and how forever. Haddon and his team’s photographs, pho- he regarded life? SCREEN EDUCATION nograph recordings, film footage, genealogies and Haddon’s diaries have much to offer. Nadi was a trochus shell diver like many Torres Strait men of his generation. During World War Two What does Christine discover? Nadi’s skills as a seaman were highly valued by the Australian Defence Force. Christine also visits the National Sound Library in 16 London. She listens to the very first ethnographic ‘I feel really ashamed of the fact that I don’t know WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? much about that part of his life. It’s probably a part Nadi deserves to be honoured. Write an obituary of life that, you know that they didn’t even share that offers a portrayal of Nadi’s character and his with everyone back home.’ – Christine contributions. What does Christine learn about Nadi’s war serv- ‘My grandfather was a storyteller and that’s where ice? Did any of your relatives serve in World War I got it from. I am a storyteller.’ Two? What do you know about their experiences? ‘The blood running in my veins is the very inspira- ‘I was ten when he passed away so I didn’t really tion that I should be looking for and I found it.’ understand who I was grieving.’ – Christine ‘My inner voice was telling me that I needed my How does Christine’s perception of her grandfather culture and my family to inspire me, and boy did change? they ever.’ Nadi’s heroic actions may have saved the lives of ‘These are the songs that we’re going to keep so many of his comrades but he was never consid- that you can go and teach your children one day.’ ered an equal. Like all men in the Torres Strait Light – Christine Infantry Battalion, Nadi was only paid one third of the standard army rate. Use these claims to discuss what Christine now understands about inheritance. Were you shocked to learn that Nadi was not paid SCREEN EDUCATION as much as Australian soldiers? Make an A3 collage that tells the story of Christine’s search for her family’s story. For many years after the war, Nadi campaigned to receive equal pay for his war service. Six years after Nadi’s death the surviving members of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion received back 17 payment. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Episode 11 Use the internet to find out more about Maggie. Share Maggie Beer your findings with others in the class. Begin your search at about her family’s history? SCREEN EDUCATION In 1999, Maggie and Colin returned to the original site of the farm and the original concept of the shop, What does the opening sequence tell us about reopening the premises as Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop. Maggie? Had you heard of Maggie Beer before viewing ‘I’ve got real bits of both Mum and Dad. There is Who Do You Think You Are?? no doubt about that. I can see myself in them.’ 18 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? What qualities have you inherited from your Maggie knows that her father’s ancestors emi- parents? grated from Germany. Her search for the original Australian Ackermans takes her from her vineyard Maggie recollects that she was fourteen when her home in the Barossa Valley to Hill End, an old gold parents lost their business: mining town 300km north west of Sydney. I remember the floor of Dad’s office being covered What does Maggie discover about her great in unopened bills and I knew things were tight but, great grandparents, Michael Ackerman and well he was a bad business person, a dreamer. It Anna-Marie Krohmann? was devastating for my mum and dad, but when I think about what it gave me was grit. And that What does Maggie believe she has in common ability to pull yourself together and make things with her ancestors? happen. – Maggie Maggie travels to Budenheim in Germany to Were you surprised by Maggie’s perspective? resolve the question of her Jewish ancestry. Because I have such a close relationship with my Writing as Maggie, send a postcard to your family grandchildren, I want them to know where I’ve that sorts out the facts from the fiction. come from and to be able to leave it to them as a gift and, well to find out for myself is a great gift. Maggie wants to know more about the convict – Maggie bigamist that is supposedly part of her family tree. SCREEN EDUCATION Use this claim to initiate a discussion of Maggie’s Dr Thomas Randall Parmeter is Maggie’s great understanding of inheritance. great great grandfather. He was indicted for bigamy and pleaded guilty. He was twenty-five, Growing up, Dad used to tell me that the when he received seven years and transportation Ackermans had a Jewish connection. I kind of to the Colony of New South Wales for his crime latched onto that because it was artistic and on 21 June 1815. 19 creative and emotional and all of those things that I’ve always felt. – Maggie WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? What does Maggie learn about Thomas Parmenter? (Song for Miss M-tc-ll of B-rn-d C-tl-e) Thomas Parmeneter was married to Elizabeth Massey, ‘Like a bird I sing in my cage. Rachel Martha Woods and Bridget Mitchell. My song is the song of despair, not even the wisdom of age ‘He had commitment issues.’ – Maggie can tell me there’s nothing to care. Who is Maggie’s great great great grandmother? Away with all anguish and pain, What does Maggie learn about her great great geat for mercy below will be found grandmother as she researches the life and times and goodness I seek not in vain, of Thomas Parmenter? though far from my own native land.’ Maggie wonders if Thomas was a conman. What When Thomas Parmenter’s story has been do you think? told from its beginning to end, what does Maggie think of the man that is her great Maggie’s desire to resolve the mystery takes her great great grandfather? to London, where she meets academic Rebecca Probet, an expert on marriage, cohabitation and What characteristics does Maggie think she has bigamy in the nineteenth century. inherited from her great great great grandmother? What is Rebecca’s understanding of bigamy? Write an obituary for Jane Meredith that would have appeared in a newspaper of the time. Thomas Parmeter fancied himself as a poet. That is the most important thing I’ve discovered. Read the excerpts from Thomas Parmeneter’s You know both the Ackermans and the Parmenters poems. they didn’t give up. And nor do I and nor do my family and so it’s as strong as that. – Maggie What does Parmenter’s poetry tell us about his experiences of love and despair. Use this claim to initiate a discussion of the outcome of Maggie’s investigation into her ‘Ask no more, where violets lay, family’s past. when summer’s fled and flowers die. When from your lips, I every day Make an A3 collage that tells the story of Maggie’s SCREEN EDUCATION inhale perfume in every sigh.’ search for her family’s story. ‘Ask no more if I’m sincere, for well you know I can’t reply. But see you not this gushing tear plainly tells for you I’d die.’ 20 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Episode 12 Butler is also receiving recognition for his innovative John Butler arts grant fund The JB Seed, which he oversees with his wife Danielle Caruana. The JB Seed distributes ‘John Butler started out busking on the streets grants and funding each year to assist as many as but now he has a worldwide following. By creating thirty artists realise their aspirations. an independent record label, he’s done it on his own terms.’ – Narrator When he is not touring the world, Butler lives in Fremantle, Western Australia, with his wife and his John Butler was born on 1 April 1975 in California children Banjo and Jahli. to an Australian father Darryl and American mother Barbara, also a Butler but not related. Had you heard of John Butler before viewing Who Do You Think You Are?? His career as a musician began in 1998, when Butler was busking on the streets of Fremantle, Western ‘John is an activist at heart and music is his Australia, and selling self-funded cassette recordings. platform.’ – Narrator Today he is an ARIA and APRA award-winning musi- cian and is responsible for 800,000 CD sales. Butler is Find out more about John’s work as a musician by the frontman of the John Butler Trio. He has released visiting (2007) and One Small Step (2008). SCREEN EDUCATION Share your findings with others in the class. Butler owns and operates his own record label Jarrah Records. The label has released John Butler Trio’s ‘Who do you think you are?’ What do you think last three studio albums and two live albums. Jarrah John would say in response to this question? Records is also home to other artists including The Draw on your existing knowledge and the content Waifs. The label continues to pave the way for inde- of the episode to complete this task. 21 pendent artists in Australia. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? How does John see the world? Do you think his father, he died before John was born. Like John, perspective changes because of what he learns his grandfather played the guitar. His grandmother about his family’s history? gave John his grandfather’s guitar on his sixteenth birthday. The episode begins with a title card that reads: ‘… it is the cornerstone to my music but also to John Butler would like to acknowledge the tra- who I am in a lot of ways.’ – John ditional owners and custodians of the countries featured and traversed in this episode – Noongar Use this comment to discuss how John regards his people of Western Australia’s south west region, grandfather’s guitar. Have you inherited a posses- Dja Dja Wurrung of the Castlemaine region, Yorta sion from one of your ancestors? Yorta & Bangerang people of the Echuca region. Darryl Butler, John’s father, shows John his grand- What does this title card reveal about John’s un- father’s diary. derstanding of belonging? What do John Francis Butler’s diary entries reveal Why do you think the episode opens and closes about who he was and how he saw the world? with John playing guitar? How does the diary change John’s perception of his grandfather? Did any of your ancestors keep What do I know about my ancestry? Very little. I’m a diary? excited about the whole process. I’m just looking forward to the discovery you know, the first, the In 1958, John’s grandfather was called up to fight first recording I ever did and sold just down the a bush fire near Nannup in Western Australia. He road you know at the markets was called Search- died with three others trying to hold back a wall ing for Heritage. of flame. He left behind his wife Phillipa and eight children. ‘I think I like to find you know poets, musicians and SCREEN EDUCATION revolutionaries. People who are willing to push the John and Daryl visit the site of the tragedy. How do envelope, stand up for something, be brave and be they react? inspiring and creative.’ – John How does John come to think of his grandfather? Does John find what he is looking for? John decides to find out more about his great 22 John Francis Butler was John’s paternal grand- grandfather John, known as Jack. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Where does John’s journey take him? Who does What stories have your grandparents told you he meet? What does John discover? about your family’s past? John travels to Castlemaine and Echuca in Victoria John is interested to find out more about Phillipa’s to find out more about his great great grandfather father – his own great grandfather. Great grandfa- Joseph Elijah Butler. Joseph Elijah’s father was Noah ther Nicola was born in 1896. John travels to Bul- Parker and his mother was Elizabeth Ann Butler. garia to see if he can find out why Nicola was sent to live in Egypt when he was only five years old. As John, write a postcard from Castlemaine to Daryl telling him about Joseph Elijah Butler. What does John learn about the life and character of his great grandfather Nicola? Both Joseph Elijah Butler and Jack Butler went to court to gain custody of their siblings. What does John visits Nicola’s birthplace of Koprivshtitsa. this coincidence tell us about the Butlers? The town is now a symbol for Bulgarian national pride. It is famous for its writers, poets and activ- Elizabeth Ann, she was poor, she needed money ists. The house where his great grandfather lived and she just walked into a pub, threw her hat as a boy is still standing. down and started singing and that entrepreneurial kind of attitude where you know you just go and What does John learn about the Radomiroffs and you make your living any way you can, I love that. the part that they played in Bulgaria’s history as a And the fact that she had a great voice, I never nation? How does he feel about what he discovers? knew that, I don’t think anybody in my family ever knew that. – John ‘That was a great source of pride you know to come from people who stand for something and Write an obituary for Elizabeth that would have are willing to commit and go all the way for a appeared in a newspaper of the time. cause.’ – John SCREEN EDUCATION Phillipa Radomiroff is John’s ninety-year-old Use this claim to begin a discussion of the out- paternal grandmother. She was born in Egypt come of John’s search for the truth about the in 1921. Her mother Marietta was Greek and Radomiroffs. her father Nicola was Bulgarian. Make an A3 collage that tells the story of John’s What memories does Phillipa share with John? search for his family’s story. 23 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? The experts ‘While Who Do You Think You Are? family’s history and the broader context Having viewed Who Do You Think You is primarily the stories of Ron, Ben, of Australian history, and if need be, Are?, were you amazed that so many Sigrid, Christine, Maggie and John, the history of your family’s country records and documents have survived? it is also an important account of the of origin. complexities of any family’s story.’ Has technology changed everything? Do you agree? You do not have to share everything Do you think that modern ways of about your family. Some stories and keeping records will mean that we Research details may be kept private. Like do not lose track of where we have Who Do You Think You Are?, this is come from? Now it’s your turn to play detective. a public document and you can edit what content you wish to share with What does a genealogist do? What The study of your family history has a an audience. does an archivist do? What does a his- personal and societal value. On a personal torian do? How does the work of these scale, your family heritage helps you make Include an acknowledgements page professions help others learn about sense of who you are today. It also helps in your report. their family history? Would you like to you to place you and your family in the pursue one of these roles as a career? history of your country of residence. Create Were you aware of the role that librar- Researching your entire family tree is an As the television writer on a daily ies and museums play in helping enormous task. It is up to you to decide newspaper, you have to write a 250- families learn about their ancestors? which family lines you wish to trace. Many word preview of this series of Who people concentrate on just their surname Do You Think You Are? before it goes Many towns have a local museum or line, or the ancestry of their mother and to air. Your preview should outline the historical society. Visit the museum father. series’ content, themes and style. or invite a member of the historical society to visit your class. Your task is to compile a family tree. Create a digital story about your family’s history. Online Begin your family tree with your name and date of birth. Then record the A digital story uses multimedia tools Visit the Who Do You Think You Are? names and details of births, marriages and visual and audio resources from website: and deaths. Also make a record of the personal archives. Most digital stories missing details. are approximately two to five minutes http://programs.sbs.com.au/ in length. Digital stories are a unique whodoyouthinkyouare/ Gather as much information as and powerful way to tell a story. possible from other family members. The site provides information about re- Ask your parents about their childhood You will need to write a script and searching your family tree, lists resources and what they can remember about source photographs and other keep- that may assist your research and allows their own parents and grandparents. sakes to compose the story. Then there you to share tips and offer advice. You are other decisions. Who will read the can also contribute to the forum, submit Birth, marriage and death certificates script? What sounds and music will a photograph to the photo gallery, or view provide many details about family be part of the digital story? What is highlights from other episodes of the UK members. an appropriate title? Don’t forget a and Australian series of Who Do You Think dedication and end credits. You Are?. It is also possible for you to research one side of your family tree more Further information about digital stories Discuss than another. can be found on the website of The Australian Centre for the Moving Image Successful programs often spawn Use your family tree to complete a re- post-production scripts, 2009. SCREEN EDUCATION ‘Who Do You Think You Are? is an You should also indicate what informa- innovative approach to telling history tion you were unable to find. Who Do You Think You Are? is a Film stories.’ Do you agree? Australia National Interest Program, Try to write about at least three Serendipity Productions and Artemis ‘Who Do You Think You Are? acknowl- generations beginning with you. International production in association edges the importance of belonging.’ with Screenwest, Lotterywest, and 24 Discuss. Make connections between your SBS Independent. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2009) [email protected] For more information on SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit