EPISODE 2
A STUDY GUIDE by Libby Tudball
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 Eddie Koiki Mabo fights for Australian an Englishman for the job, who is (1897–1937) 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 • Studies of Society and Environment / Human Society and its Environment / Social Education through the stories of Trugannini, an been estimated by historian Lyndall • Indigenous Studies. Indigenous woman, George Robinson Ryan that 1000 Aborigines remained a white government protector, and in the settled districts. Between 1826 This study guide provides discussion also through the views of Indigenous and 1831 a pattern of guerrilla warfare points, additional material and historians and commentators, some by the Aborigines began, and some classroom activities to help teachers of whom are descendants of the First colonists acknowledged the Aborigines and students develop an understanding Tasmanian Australians. Trugannini was were fighting for their country. The of Australia’s past and the experiences the daughter of Mangana, chief of the colonial government responded with of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Bruny Island people. A survivor of The a series of measures to limit the Australians through these rich Black Wars that occurred as European conflict, culminating in the declaration resources. settlement spread in Tasmania, her of martial law in 1828. This episode of Introduction to the guide life epitomises the story of colonial First Australians tells the story of what encounters in Tasmania, the clash happened in this period. The ‘Thinking about the period’ of two disparate cultures, and the • Why would the First Australians have section provides information about resistance and survival of indigenous begun guerilla warfare? the focus of the episode, and suggests Tasmanians. some key questions students should • Why would the government have be able to answer. THINKING ABOUT begun martial law? The ‘Exploring the story’ section THE PERIOD * Read the following background history is designed to help middle secondary to enhance your understanding of this This episode focuses on the period students follow and understand the episode. narrative and provides some from 1825 to 1860 in Tasmania when learning activities to involve serious conflict developed between students in the stories. the white settlers and military, and the First Australians. Rapid pastoral The ‘Exploring the series as a expansion and an increase in the representation of history’ section colony’s population triggered Aboriginal is to enable senior students to apply resistance at this time. European critical analysis to the series as an settlers and stock keepers had at first historical source. provided rations to the Aborigines The ‘Exploring issues and ideas’ and the during their seasonal movements across ‘Telling the story’ sections can be used the settled districts, and recognized at the teacher’s discretion with both this practice as some form of payment middle and senior secondary students. for trespass, but the newer settlers and stock keepers were unwilling to Episode 2 maintain these arrangements. ‘Her Will to Survive’ • If you had been part of the communities of First Australians, The land grab moves south to Tasmania. what might have been your attitude In an effort to protect the real estate to the white settlers? prices, it is decided to remove the Tasmanian Aboriginal people from • What emotions would you have the island. The Government enlists an experienced when you saw white Englishman for the job, who is helped by people for the first time, witnessed a young Aboriginal woman, Truganini. the killings and were moved from your country? In this episode, we see the dramatic effect of the spread of white settlement Around 1824, the Aborigines began to raid settlers’ huts for food. It has
SCREEN EDUCATION 4 Background history
• Archaeologists now believe the First Australians may have inhabited this continent for at least 60,000 and up to 100,000 years.
• When Europeans arrived in Tasmania in 1803, it is believed that up to 6,000 First Australians lived in clan groupings with their own distinct languages and cultures that varied and sealers on the coast of Tasmania the communities and identify as depending on the region where they simply took Aboriginal women Indigenous. So while Trugannini may lived, and their local environment. in relations not of agreement or have been one of the last ‘full blood’ Clusters of families with special care, but of force, violence and Tasmanians, descendants from this kinship traditions lived with close rape. Children borne from these time did survive and carried on the links to the land. By 1828, it is relationships carried on Indigenous culture. estimated there were only 1,000 traditions and culture through the survivors. Here are some focus teachings of their mothers. questions that any study • The arrival of Europeans had a more • Between 1826 and 1831 as the of this period should try to devastating effect on First Australians pattern of guerrilla warfare by answer: than anything that had previously the Aborigines grew, the colonial happened in their history. Europeans • Why did Europeans first move to government responded with a series did not see that First Australians Tasmania (which in the 1800s was of measures to limit the conflict, had any rights, and simply took over known as Van Dieman’s Land)? culminating in the declaration of the land. Every aspect of the land martial law in 1828. At this time it • What attitudes existed in Tasmania – the landscape, trees, rocks, birds was legal to shoot Aboriginal people towards Aboriginal people from 1825 and animals – was central to the in the settled areas and there was to 1860? First Australians’ traditional life and a bounty (money to be paid) if culture, but this was not understood • Why did conflict increase between white settlers rounded them up and by the officials, the pastoralists, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal brought them in. sealers and settlers who arrived. people? The Black War of 1828–32 and the • Armed conflict first began in May • Why did Trugannini agree to Black Line of 1830 were turning points 1804, when a military detachment associate with George Robinson? in the relationship with European opened fire on an Aboriginal settlers. Even though the clans often • What were the Black Wars and what hunting party. The bitterness of the managed to avoid capture during impact did they have on the First Aborigines increased as white settlers these events, they were shaken by the Australians? occupied choice hunting areas of the size of the campaigns against them. island for sheep raising, and when • What was the Black Line and what Recorded history does not document other food ran short, took to hunting impact did this have on the First all the conflict, but in Tasmania, ruthless kangaroos, greatly depleting this Australians? killings wiped out whole clans. staple of the First Australians’ life. • Why was the population of White settlers continually harassed • George Robinson who was appointed Indigenous Tasmanians decimated? the Indigenous Australians, and to the role of Government Protector, kidnapping, rape, and murder of wanted to go beyond the guerrilla • How were some groups of the Indigenous communities was frontier on a ‘friendly mission’ to Indigenous Australians able to common. save the First Australians. Trugannini survive? helped to track the local clans to their The small number of white females (Further important questions are asked camps. She may have believed that among the pastoralists, sealers and in the ‘Exploring the story’ section) this would help her own survival. whalers, led to the abduction of There is a list of references in this Aboriginal women as sexual partners, • It is often wrongly claimed that guide for further reading and research. and Aboriginal children as labourers. Trugannini was the last Tasmanian However, you will find the answers to These practices also increased conflict Aboriginal person to survive. But many of these questions in the film. You over women among Aboriginal clans. this is a racist view, since it does not will be asked after watching the episode This in turn led to a decline in the recognize the official government to decide how this film contributes to Aboriginal population. view that you are an Indigenous your knowledge and understanding of, Australian if you are descended from • Many Europeans including whalers and your empathy with, the people who Indigenous clans, are accepted by lived in Tasmania in this historical period.
SCREEN EDUCATION 5 EXPLORING THE STORY
The story progresses through several stages, so students should be able to pause during the film to reflect on the story being told about Trugannini and George Robinson, and what their stories reveal about the struggles and traumatic events that other Aboriginal Australians faced in Tasmania.
Stage Key Aspects of the story to consider focus 1 The context At the start, the voice-over explains that in 1830 in Tasmania, one million acres of land was granted to European settlers. What images does the filmmaker use to set the scene for this story and to show how indigenous Australians’ traditional life was being changed?
2 Trugannini’s Trugannini was born during the Black War. At first she avoided the catastrophe as she lived on Bruny life and Island, off the coast of Tasmania. But during her life she was to witness extreme violence, suffering and experiences destruction of her people.
1. Jot down key ideas that can later be developed into a timeline, class wall chart and character profile recording what happens in Trugannini’s life. Different members of your class could record notes under these headings: Trugannini’s character, her attitudes to non-indigenous people, and to her own people at various times, her roles in life, how she survived when so many of her people died, her changing relationship with George Robinson, and what happened when she died. 2. In what ways did Trugannini suffer because of European settlement? Note particularly what happened to her family, her husband and her people. 3. What were the key reasons why you believe that Trugannini chose to associate with Europeans and adopt many European ways? 4. Why do you think she chose to save Robinson’s life? 5. What does the film tell you about her ‘will to survive’?
3 George Who was George Robinson? Robinson’s Jot down key ideas that can later be developed into a timeline and wall chart depicting George life and Robinson’s life in this time. Different members of your class could record notes under these headings experiences and questions: what was his character like, how and why did he travel across Tasmania searching for indigenous groups, what was his attitude to the First Australians, what various roles did he undertake? • What different impressions do you gain of George Robinson from the film from the voice-overs, and from the different commentators? • Why was he sent to Tasmania? • Find out what happened to Robinson after he left Australia.
4 The Black • What happened to Aboriginal people in Tasmania in these times and why? War of • Why did the Europeans have such negative and violent attitudes to the indigenous communities? 1828–32 • Why were the hostilities called ‘The Black War? • What stories are told in the film to show that there was organized guerrilla war against the Europeans?
SCREEN EDUCATION 6 5 The Black • The Black Line was a military operation to round up all the indigenous Australians in the settled Line of 1830 districts. • How did the authorities manage this operation? • This action has been described as ‘barbaric and inhumane’. Do you agree? Explain your answer. • Whys did some First Australians decide to trust George Robinson? • What happened to those who survived?
6 Wybalenna Robinson rounded up 300 First Australians. On route to Flinders Island, two-thirds of them died. On mission on arrival at the island, Robinson staged a fireworks display to celebrate their arrival. Flinders • Why did so many die? island • How do you think the First Australians would have felt as they watched the fireworks? • How would you describe the mission from the images you see in the film? Darlene Mansell says it was a ‘colonial village’ What do you think she meant? • Henry Reynolds claims that Wybalenna mission was better equipped than other missions. Find out about other missions in Australia from other episodes. • Why was it so distressing and why did so many people die there?
7 The cruelty The story of what the whalers and sealers from many parts of the world did to the First Australians of whalers shows that they were often ‘crude examples of humanity’. and sealers • Why did they travel such distances to hunt in Tasmania? • What instances of their cruelty do you learn about? • What did they do to Trugannini’s husband?
8 Charles Many settlers looked for a scientific reason why so many people died. Darwin believed the Tasmanian Darwin’s visit Aboriginal peoples would become extinct. to Hobart • Why did he develop this view? 1836 • Find out what theories he had about the human species and evolution. • What impression do you gain about his views in the film?
9 The When the First Australians who had survived Flinders Island were sent back to the mainland to Oyster settlement at cove, a deserted convict settlement, life was no better. Oyster bay 1. What impression does the photograph give of this settlement? in 1847 2. Why did Trugannini send a petition to Governor Arthur about the treatment of her people at this time?
10 ‘The bones Another story in this episode is of the lack of respect shown to the First Australians who died whose of my old human remains were sent to museums all over the world. people’ 1. Why did this happen? 2. Trugannini was afraid this would happen to her and begged a friend to bury her at sea and ‘don’t let them cut me’. 3. She died on 8 May 1876. What happened to her then and how did her people finally provide a respectful funeral for her?
SCREEN EDUCATION 7 11 Trugannini: The commentators note that Tasmanian history is ‘most disputed’. Mansell notes that it is a global myth not the last that Trugannini was the last Tasmanian. She says that there will ‘never ever be no Tasmanian Aboriginal Tasmanian people, never ever’.
• What views do the commentators express about this myth? • Why do you think Mansell is so strong in her views?
12 Tasmanian The episode concludes with photographic images of Tasmanian Aboriginal people today taken by Ricky Aboriginal Maynard. people today • Marcia Langton says that there is something about the past that words can’t say. What do you think she means? • Maynard says: ‘Australia has to grow up’ and ‘our culture hasn’t stopped’. What do you think he means?
After watching the * Look at the painting: The Conciliation • What impression does this painting episode (which you see in the film). This create of Robinson’s relations with was painted by the French artist, the First Australians? * Complete these tasks either as Benjamin Duterreau in 1840, and • In what ways is the evidence in the individuals, as pairs or as group depicts George Robinson with a film of Robinson’s attitudes to the work. group of Indigenous Tasmanians. First Australians contradictory? * Your responses could be either Robinson was employed by the • After his appointment as Protector written or given as oral reports. colonial government to convince the First Australians to leave their of Aborigines in Victoria, Robinson • Decide how the episode has country on the mainland for their own wanted to take seventy-five helped you gain knowledge and protection. In spite of being promised Tasmanian Aboriginal people with understanding of and empathy with that they could return, they were in him, since he was worried about their the First Australians who lived in fact banished forever. survival. Why did Truganini decide to Tasmania in this period? go with him?
• Imagine that a television guide has asked you to summarize the episode in a few sentences. How will you describe it?
• What do you think is the message in this film about the impact of the movement of white settlers into Tasmania, and the impact of government policies on the nature of First Australians’ lives? The Conciliation, • The television guide also wants 1840 you to write a short comment or evaluation of the episode. Write your own assessment piece.
SCREEN EDUCATION 8 Wybalenna settlement 1845 Tasmanian Indigenous Australians faced EXPLORING terrifying ordeals. • Look at the painting of Wybalenna settlement on Flinders Island, ISSUES AND • What evidence does the film provide depicted in 1845. Why was it so IDEAS FROM THIS of a violent rather than a peaceful past? distressing for the First Australians to EPISODE be banished to this settlement? • Why were the Aboriginal people able Picture source: Exploding the national to evade capture at first, but then myth of a peaceful past later face being shot or rounded up http://www.discovertasmania.com/__ and banished from their country on In this episode we learn that in data/assets/pdf_file/0006/15585/ the mainland to Flinders or Bruny Tasmania, between 1825 and 1860, ata_european_impact.pdf islands? thousands of First Australians were killed, and the survivors were herded • Find out more about the frontiers of onto Flinders Island. Marcia Langton conflict in other parts of Australia. comments in the film that ‘much of the You can consult references listed in official history of Australia says that this guide that are available in many there were no wars and that Australia school and public libraries and on was settled peacefully’. She sees this as the internet, and also watch other Five men in police uniform a ‘national myth’ and gives the view that episodes of First Australians.
SCREEN EDUCATION 9 Human rights
Not only did large numbers of indigenous Australians die through violence and shootings, but also approximately two- thirds of the population died of European diseases. Others died because they were herded together and unable to resist infection. The First Australians also suffered when they were sent to live on missions like Wybalenna, where they were not allowed to speak their Aboriginal Women’s Rights EXPLORING THE own language or do ceremony. Henry This episode also provides insights into the Reynolds tells the story of people who SERIES AS A rights of women in Tasmania at this time. sat on the beach of Flinders Island REPRESENTATION looking across at their homeland. He • What does the film reveal about the says that ‘they lost their spirit’. particular difficulties that women OF HISTORY faced during the period 1825–1860 in After the death of thousands of First Australians is a representation Tasmania? First Australians, their remains were of history. This means that it is sent to Europe by George Augustus Why was life so difficult for Truganini? somebody’s version of what happened. Robinson, known as ‘the protector Every secondary account of history Reconsider the views of Marcia Langton of Aborigines’, along with Aboriginal is a representation. The creator of the in particular on this issue. artefacts, between 1829 and 1939. version has chosen what to include and In 1985, Michael Mansell from the what to exclude from all the possible Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal elements and sources, and has chosen Service went on a ‘Journey the sequence in which they for Dignity’. He visited will be presented. In the France, Holland, Scotland, case of film, the creator, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, the writers, director and England and the USA to editor, have also chosen negotiate with governments the sound, lighting, expert and the administration of commentators, images and museums and universities to other filmic elements that have Tasmanian Aboriginal constitute the final product. remains returned to their If senior students are to community. The journey use this film as a source began from Geneva where of information and ideas Mr Mansell attended in their study they must the International Law be prepared to critically Conference, and presented a analyse and evaluate it as a written report to the Working historical source. Group of the Human Rights Commission on the situation of Tasmanian Aborigines.
• What evidence do you hear about in the film of demonstrating a denial of human rights for the First Australians?
• Why would Robinson have sent remains and artefacts overseas?
• Explain the significance of their return for Indigenous Australians.
SCREEN EDUCATION 10 The use of expert commentators
One of the features of First Australians is the use of commentators. We need to consider who they are, how they present information, and how the filmmaker uses them in the overall representation.
1. Think back to the commentators. What was their role?
2. How did you respond to them?
3. Why do you think the filmmaker chose them?
4. Why do you think they are used in the film?
5. What insights do each of them give into the lives of the First Australians?
6. What diverse opinions do they express about George Robinson? Try to collect and then discuss some exact phrases and comments, and decide if you agree or disagree with the points of view. eg. Lyndall Ryan expresses empathy for Robinson, but says that he ‘believed Christians could be saved’, and Marcia Langton says that ‘he cared, but didn’t get it right’, and ‘was a greedy and self-centred person’.
7. What diverse opinions do the commentators express about Trugannini? eg. Marcia Langton says that Trugannini believed that ‘if she could get the message across to her people that they should go with Robinson, they had a chance of life’.
8. Darlene Mansell comments on the suffering, emotions and sadness that her people experienced. She interprets the photograph of her people at Oyster Cove as an expression of ‘despair, and says ‘their hearts are broken’, but she says their strength was in their togetherness. Look at the photograph and give your interpretation of what you see.
Now look at this brief biographical information on each commentator and answer the questions that follow.
SCREEN EDUCATION 11 Professor Marcia Langton is a leading Darlene Mansell is a Tasmanian Henry Reynolds is an eminent Australian Indigenous scholar, commentator Indigenous woman whose ancestors historian whose primary work has focused and activist, Professor of Australian lived through the Black Wars and on the frontier conflict between European Indigenous Studies at the University constant relocation and destruction settlement of Australia and Indigenous of Melbourne. She has published of her people’s lives. She proudly Australians. extensively on Aboriginal affairs celebrates the survival of culture. • What information does Reynolds share? issues including land rights, resource • What insights does she share management, social impacts of • How does this assist in the development and what do you learn from her development, indigenous disputes, of our understanding of this period in commentaries? policing and substance abuse, and Tasmania? gender and identity. • How would you describe her tone and feelings as she explains her • What insights does Marcia share views? and what do you learn from her commentaries?
• How would you describe her tone and feelings as she explains her views?
Ricky Maynard is a leading Indigenous Dr. Gordon Briscoe is from the Lyndall Ryan is is an Australian academic photographer now based on Flinders Marduntjara/Pitjantjatjara peoples and currently Head of School of Humanities Island in Bass Strait between Tasmania of Central Australia. He is now an at the University of Newcastle. and the Australian mainland. Since Indigenous activist and researcher. He • What insights does she share in this the late 1980s he has documented helped form an Aboriginal Progress episode? his people and exhibited throughout Association in the late 1950s, worked Australia and internationally. His work is for the Aboriginal Legal Service in the • What opinions does she express about held in collections including the National late 1960s, and helped establish a Robinson? Gallery of Australia, the National Library, health service for the urban Aboriginal the National Museum of Australia, the population in Sydney in the 1970s. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. • What insights and opinions does • What stories do Ricky’s photos tell and Gordon provide? what insights does he share?
Bruce Pascoe is an award-winning Phyllis Pitchford is an Indigenous writer, editor and anthologist and Tasmanian elder and poet. author who has written extensively on • What insights does Phyllis share indigenous issues. He is a member of and what do you learn from her the Boonwurrung clan. commentaries? • What insights and opinions does Bruce share?
Comment on why each historian and commentator might have been chosen to be part of this episode. • Do you think they are appropriate and believable experts? Justify your view.
SCREEN EDUCATION 12 The History Wars (Source:
In more than ten books and numerous academic articles, Henry Reynolds has researched and explained the high level of violence and conflict involved in the colonisation of Australia, and the Aboriginal resistance that resulted in numerous massacres of indigenous of politics at La Trobe University. In In reply, Lyndall made clear her people. Reynolds and other historians, 2004, John Dawson dissected the perspective on the issue. She said: estimate that up to 3,000 Europeans and Whitewash anthology in Washout: Everyone [those who have published 20,000 indigenous Australians were killed On the academic response to The comment on her work] seems to have directly in the frontier violence, and many Fabrication of Aboriginal History, overlooked the fact that the argument more Aborigines died indirectly through claiming to refute ‘the fallacies, errors of my book is not about genocide – it the introduction of European diseases and distortion’ in Whitewash. and starvation caused by being forced is about dispossession and survival. from their productive tribal lands. The debate centres on whether There is no doubt that my book has Australia’s history of European changed attitudes about the Tasmanian Historians Geoffrey Blainey and Keith settlement since 1788 was: Aborigines. Over the last decade, the Windschuttle describe his approach as Aboriginal community in Tasmania, has a) humane, with the country being a ‘black armband view’ of Australian negotiated the return of land and has peacefully settled, with specific history. In 2002 historian and journalist, gained recognition as the survivors of instances of mistreatment of Keith Windschuttle, in his book The dispossession. Fabrication of Aboriginal History, Volume Indigenous Australians being One: Van Diemen’s Land 1803–1847, aberrations; … So my original book, Windschuttle’s book and now this book, Whitewash disputed whether the colonial settlers b) marred by both official and unofficial provide solid evidence that Australian of Australia committed widespread imperialism, exploitation, ill treatment, history is highly contested political genocide against Indigenous colonial dispossession, violent terrain … the debate about Aboriginal Australians, especially focusing on the conflict and cultural genocide; or Black War in Tasmania, and denied the history is really about who owns the past c) somewhere in between. claims by historians such as Reynolds and how they can lay claim to it. that there was a campaign of guerrilla • After viewing First Australians Clearly historians and journalists are in warfare against British settlement. episode 2, and listening to the views constant combat about ownership of He went further to accuse Reynolds of the historians and commentators the past. In this ‘war’, what tactics can of inventing evidence and making featured in the film, whose the historian use? It’s not possible to many claims without any documentary representation of the history of the duck and weave, or to pretend that it is support at all. First Australians in Tasmania seems not happening. The historian must use to be more convincing? Lyndall Ryan, one of the key the resources at their disposal – good scholarship and a clear head. commentators in this episode of First * Now read the views (below) of Australians, wrote The Aboriginal Professor Anne Graham, University Lyndall says: Tasmanians (1981) which presented of Newcastle who launched Lyndall Windschuttle has used outdated a critical interpretation of the early Ryan’s book. She argued that: research to claim a pre-contact history of relations between Tasmanian From Windschuttle’s assertion that the Aboriginal population that is too small Aborigines and white settlers in indigenous Tasmanians were primitive, to be sustained in a hunter–gatherer Tasmania. Her work was later attacked maladapted and dysfunctional and society; mis-read the relied-on sources by Keith Windschuttle, thus drawing had survived for 35,000 years by luck, that any scholar with a knowledge of her into the History wars. There is the we now have a truer picture made the Tasmanian archives would have ongoing public debate in Australia over abundantly clear by these writers and in readily found to be incomplete; denied the interpretation of the history of the particular by our own Lyndall Ryan. The the existence of an Aboriginal tribe; European colonisation of Australia, and facts are not comfortable for us to live stubbornly refused to accept evidence its impact on Indigenous Australians and with, but in order to grow as a nation of killings of Aborigines from credible Torres Strait Islanders. we need to come to terms with painful, white informants; and has been unable Windschuttle’s claims and research even shameful truths about our national or unwilling to re-locate sources which have been widely criticised by other history and identity – and then we can are readily available in the empirical historians, in an anthology edited and move on. record. In assessing the contribution introduced by Robert Manne, Professor of historians like myself, he invariably
SCREEN EDUCATION 13 adopts the most malicious of intellectual interpretations, in a manner almost unprecedented in Australian historical scholarship.
These are the transparent tactics of an opportunist seeking to claim credibility as a historian in a field in which he has conducted no previous historical or archival research, nor demonstrated an understanding of the relevant historical debates. Windschuttle’s book is the work • After reading Ryan’s views, in what leadership/significant_tasmanian_ of a propagandist, determined to impose ways has your understanding of the women/significant_tasmanian_ his own political agenda of denial about History Wars been clarified and/or women_-_research_listing/truganini>). the past, rather than the work of a fair- changed? • Read the following representation minded historian re-assessing a critical Different representations of of Truganini’s life from this site. In a period in Australian history. In the end, Truganini (1812– 1876) class discussion, talk about which one must reasonably ask: Who, pray, is aspects of this report offer the same the real fabricator? The Department of Premier and Cabinet information and insights provided in of the Tasmanian government has For further information about Lyndall the film, and what new or different a website documenting the lives of Ryan’s work, visit
Truganini and last 4 tasmanian aborigines
SCREEN EDUCATION 14 Truganini is arguably the most well Truganini has become the symbol of • After reading at least two of these known name in Tasmanian women’s the struggle and survival of Tasmanian representations, compare them history. Her life epitomises the story of Aboriginals for both Aboriginal and white with the film and its depiction of European invasion and the clash of two Tasmanians. Truganini’s story. disparate cultures. Reference: Lyndall Ryan, The Aboriginal • In what ways are the representations Born in 1812, she was the daughter Tasmanians (2nd Ed), Allen & Unwin, St. similar and different? of Mangerner, Chief of the Recherche Leonards, NSW 1996. • Which representation do you think is Bay people. By the time she was 17 A further representation of Truganini’s accurate? Explain your view. Truganini had experienced the violent life can be found at
In 1829 Truganini became the partner of Woorraddy and with him accompanied George Robinson on his missions to the Aboriginal tribes between 1830–1834, serving as a guide and interpreter. She arrived at the Aboriginal settlement on Flinders Island (Wybalenna) in 1835 disillusioned with Robinson and his mission, realising that the resettlement program would further erode the chances of living their preferred lifestyle for the remaining Tasmanian Aboriginal population. In 1839 she went to Port Phillip, returning in 1842. Woorraddy died en route to Flinders Island, a further blow to Truganini.
Although Truganini had formed friendships with the population on Flinders Island she longed for her own country and returned to Oyster Cove in 1847 where she was able to visit Bruny Island and other areas of significance from her childhood. It is said she removed herself spiritually from the Europeans through this phase of her life, despite living with the Dandridge family.
Truganini died on the 8th of May 1876 at the age of sixty-four. Although originally buried at the old Female Factory at Cascades, South Hobart, her skeleton was acquired by the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1878. This acquisition of her bones was the antithesis of her expressed wishes. After a lengthy legal battle with the trustees of the Tasmanian Museum the Aboriginal community in Tasmania were able to have her bones cremated on the 30th of April 1976, the following day her ashes were scattered on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel as she had wanted, nearly 100 years after her death.
SCREEN EDUCATION 15 Conclusion
• First ask each member of the class to note down one fact or incident they learn about in the film that is new to them or they had not heard before, about the lives of the First Australians
• In a class discussion, talk about what you think are the main strengths and weaknesses of this episode of First Australians, as a representation of your presentation of the scene. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ history. For example, you might decide to Image:Last_palawahs.jpg use the painting The Conciliation, • How important do you think it is for http://commons.wikimedia.org/ which shows George Robinson with wider audiences of Australians to wiki/Image:Truganini_and_John_ the First Australians, and draw on see this series, and in particular this Woodcock_Graves.jpg episode of First Australians? comments that Henry Reynolds makes about Robinson. http://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Image:Truganini_and_last_4_ TELLING THE 4. There are now many sites on the tasmanian_aborigines_edit.jpg STORY (FILM internet where images are available that are not all included in this http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ STUDY) episode of First Australians. Explore Image:Trugannini_1866.jpg the following links to help in your First Australians uses a variety of http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an23546158 elements to tell the story. preparation of a new scene and to extend your understanding of http://upload.wikimedia.org/ 1. What are the main problems that you Truganini and the First Australians’ wikipedia/commons/1/15/Oyster_ think face a filmmaker in creating a life: cove_mob.jpg documentary about Truganini, George Robinson and what happened to the http://images.statelibrary.tas.gov. First Australians in Tasmania in the au/Detail.asp?Letter=T&Subject= period 1825 to 1860? Truganini+-+1803-1876&ID= AUTAS001126187426 2. Divide up your class and allocate individuals or pairs to comment on the role that each of these elements plays in this episode:
• Narrator
• Experts
• Archival images
• Voices reading documents
• Impressionistic modern film elements
• Sound effects
• Music
• Editing
• Camera movement over static images
• Narrative structure – focus on individuals
3. Prepare a new scene for the film in which you would incorporate new information. Try to follow the style of the episode. Use the columns on page 17 to help you summarize
SCREEN EDUCATION 16 Aspect of Images Readings Experts Current film Other the story
SCREEN EDUCATION 17 Finally respect for Trugannini Pioneering journey home for Truganini
This story appeared in Melbourne’s The Age, 30 May 2002 and was retrieved from
The samples of Truganini’s skin and hair are now back in Tasmania, along with several bones from unidentified Aboriginal people. They will be buried or cremated after attempts are made to identify their ancestors. Last year a shell necklace attributed to Truganini was found in a southern England museum; it too has gone back to Tasmania. These returns represent a significant shift in human understanding. They are an important, if belated, gesture of respect to those Tasmanians for whom Truganini was not an anthropological curiosity but an ancestor.
SCREEN EDUCATION 18 FURTHER D.J. Mulvaney, ‘The Australian Aborigines 1606–1929: Opinion and Fieldwork’ in REFERENCES Susan Janson and Stuart Macintyre (eds), Through White Eyes, Allen & Unwin/ Gordon Briscoe and Len Smith (eds), The Australian Historical Studies, Melbourne, Aboriginal Population Revisited: 70,000 1990, pp.1–45. years to the present, Aboriginal History Monograph, 2002, p.10. Henry Reynolds, Frontier, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1987. Richard Broome, Aboriginal Australians, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1982. Lloyd Robson, A history of Tasmania. Volume 1. Van Diemen’s Land from the Anna Haebich, For Their Own Good: earliest times to 1855, Oxford University Aborigines and Government in the South Press, Melbourne, 1983. West of Western Australia, 1900–1940, 2nd Edition, University of Western Australia Lloyd Robson, A history of Tasmania Press, 1998. Volume II. Colony and state from 1856 to the 1980s, Oxford University Press, Marcia Langton, ‘Culture wars’ in Michele Melbourne. Grossman (coord. ed.), Blacklines: Contemporary Critical Writing by Lyndall Ryan, The Aboriginal Tasmanians Indigenous Australians, Melbourne (2nd Ed), Allen & Unwin, St. Leonards, University Press, Carlton, Victoria, 2003, NSW, 1996. pp.81–91.
Andrew Markus, Australian Race Relations, 1788–1993, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW, 1994.
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SCREEN EDUCATION 19