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A STUDY GUIDE by Robert Lewis EPISODE 3 A STUDY GUIDE BY ROBERT LEWIS http://www.metromagazine.com.au http://www.theeducationshop.com.au OVERVIEW OF THE SERIES First Australians chronicles the birth of contemporary Australia as never told before, from the perspective of its first people. First Australians explores what unfolds when the oldest living culture in the world is overrun by the world’s greatest empire. Over seven episodes, First Australians depicts the true stories of individuals – both black and white – caught in an epic drama of friendship, revenge, loss and victory in Australia’s most transformative period of history. The story begins in 1788 in Sydney, with the friendship between an Englishman (Governor Phillip) and a warrior (Bennelong) and ends in 1993 with Koiki Mabo’s legal challenge to the foundation of Australia. First Australians chronicles the collision of two worlds and the genesis of a new nation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the programs may contain images and voices of deceased persons. SCREEN EDUCATION 2 The seven episodes in the series cover key events, people and places throughout all Australia: Episode 1: ‘They Have Come To Stay’ Sydney and New South Wales (1788– 1824) The first Australians and the British, the most powerful Empire in history, come face to face in Sydney on 26 January 1788. Their differences are immense but Episode 4: ‘There is No Other Law’ Australians are governed by ‘protective apprehension quickly turns to curiosity. Central Australia (1878–1897) legislation’ which binds them to Friendships form, some between reserves, controls their wages, powerful men such as Governor Arthur Throughout the history of white residency, ability to marry and travel. Phillip and the Aboriginal Bennelong. settlement, individual white men, good Yorta Yorta man William Cooper forms But by the time this pair leave for and bad, have significantly affected the Australian Aborigines League in London three years later, relations the first Australians. Supported by 1933 to continue his life-long campaign between the two races have soured. pastoralists keen to make their fortune, for equality. His nephew also becomes The bloodshed worsens as settlers the homicidal police officer Constable a political animal; Doug Nichols, a spread out across the land. Willshire, brings mayhem to the Church of Christ pastor who becomes Arrernte nation in Central Australia. Episode 2: ‘Her Will to Survive’ a champion for those affected by the With the authorities turning a blind eye, Tasmania (1803–1880) Maralinga nuclear bomb tests in the the telegraph operator Frank Gillen 1950s. The land grab moves south to stops him. Gillen’s other legacy is Tasmania. In an effort to protect the real comprehensive records of the Arrernte Episode 7: ‘We are No Longer estate prices, it is decided to remove people’s way of life. Shadows’ Queensland and the Torres the Tasmanian Aboriginal people from Strait Islands (1967–1993) Episode 5: ‘Unhealthy Government the island. The Government enlists Experiment’ Western Australia (1897– Eddie Koiki Mabo fights for Australian an Englishman for the job, who is 1937) law to recognize that his people own helped by a young Aboriginal woman, Murray Island, where they have lived Truganini. Jandamurra is born on a cattle station for generations. In 1992, six months in the Kimberley in the 1870s. His Episode 3: ‘Freedom For Our Lifetime’ after his death and a decade after the hybrid life takes a bloody turn when he Victoria (1860–1890) statement of claim was first lodged in trades in his status as a police tracker Queensland, the highest court in the The threat of extinction hovers over the for his own people. Gladys Gilligan is land decides in Mabo’s favour. The first Australians of Victoria at the time one of more than 50,000 half-caste outcome overturns the notion of terra Wurundjeri clan leader Simon Wonga children plucked from her family and nullius, that is, the notion that the land seeks land from the authorities. He sent to a mission. The Chief Protector of belonged to no-one at the time of white soon gives up and leads his people to Aborigines, A.O. Neville, institutionalizes settlement. the banks of the Yarra River, claiming her first son, orders her to be arrested, a parcel of land, Coranderrk. With and denies her the right to marry three The series provides rich information, the help of a Scottish preacher, and times, but she remains resolutely and raises controversial and inspired by the farming practices of the independent. challenging issues and ideas about settlers, the community prospers – until Australia’s past, present and possible Episode 6: ‘A Fair Go for a Dark Race’ the authorities step in and resist self- futures. South-Eastern Australia (1937–1967) determination. Across the continent, the first SCREEN EDUCATION 3 CURRICULUM APPLICABILITY First Australians is suitable for middle and senior secondary students studying: • Australian History • Society and Environment / Human Society and its Environment / Social Education THINKING ABOUT • How did the reserves function? • Indigenous Studies. THE PERIOD • What was life like for people on the Introduction to the guide reserves? This episode covers the period 1860 to This study guide provides discussion • In what ways were they successful 1890 in Victoria, and in particular the points, additional material and and/or failures? policy of the creation and running of classroom activities to help teachers Government Aboriginal Reserves. • What happened to the reserves? and students develop understanding of Australia’s past and the experiences Some focus questions that • What impacts did the reserves have of Indigenous and non-indigenous any study of that period on the Aboriginal people involved? would try to answer Australians through these rich You will be asked after watching resources. • What attitudes existed towards the episode to decide how this film The ‘Exploring the story’ section is Aboriginal people at this time? contributes to your knowledge and understanding of, and your empathy designed to help middle secondary • Why were Aboriginal reserves with, the people who were part of this students follow the narrative. created? historical time. The ‘Exploring the series as a • Why were they considered necessary representation of history’ section is to and appropriate? enable senior students to apply critical analysis to the series as a historical • How did the Government manage source. these reserves? The ‘Exploring issues and ideas’ and the ‘Telling the story’ sections can be used at the teacher’s discretion with both middle and senior secondary students. It is recommended that teachers show each episode in segments rather than in a single sitting, particularly for middle secondary students. The study guide suggests suitable breaks or pause points. EPISODE 3: ‘Freedom For Our Lifetime’ The threat of extinction hovers over the first Australians of Victoria at the time Wurundjeri clan leader Simon Wonga seeks land from the authorities. He soon gives up and leads his people to the banks of the Yarra River, claiming a parcel of land, Coranderrk. With the help of a Scottish preacher, and inspired by the farming practices of the settlers, the community prospers – until the authorities step in and resist self- determination. SCREEN EDUCATION 4 EXPLORING THE STORY The story progresses through several stages. Students should be able to pause the film at the suggested stages to reflect on the stages of the story being told. Stage Approximate Aspects of the story to consider time 1 00:00 – 03:20 1. Summarize the situation of the First Australians in Victoria at the start of this episode. 2. The First Australians of Victoria had been overwhelmed by European settlement in the thirty years between 1835 and 1865. Why had this happened? 2 03:20 – 08:10 3. What were the impacts of European settlement on the life of the First Australians? 4. What different ideas about (and attitudes to) the First Australians existed among policy makers and influential people? What general beliefs or attitudes did the Europeans have towards the expected fate of the First Australians? 5. Why did Wonga want a special area of land for his people? 3 08:10 – 19:20 6. Why did the Government adopt a policy of creating Reserves for the First Australians? 7. How and why was Coranderrk chosen? 8. What was the role of missionaries such as John Green and Friedrich Hagenaeur in the lives of the First Australians at this time? 9. How was religion a ‘double edged sword’? 10. Describe the qualities and role of Simon Wonga and William Barak in this period. 11. Why was Coranderrk initially so successful? 4 19:20 – 46:30 12. Why did the Government want to close Coranderrk down? 13. How did the Government undermine its success? 14. What strategies did Barak use to resist this pressure? 15. How did the 1886 decision destroy the community? 5 46:30 – end 16. What final legacy did Barak leave? 17. Most of the images used in this episode show First Australians in European clothing. How was this ‘accommodation’ part of the First Australians’ strategy to survive? 18. What were the benefits and costs of this policy to the First Australians? 1. After watching the episode, decide how it has helped you gain knowledge and understanding of, and empathy with, the people of this period. 2. Imagine that a television guide has asked you to summarize the story of Freedom For Our Lifetime in a few sentences. How will you describe it? SCREEN EDUCATION 5 3. The television guide wants you to explain the message of the episode in a few sentences. What do you think is the message in this film about the impact of government policies on the nature of First Australians’ lives? 4. The television guide also wants you to write a short comment or evaluation of the episode.
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