Episode 29 Questions for discussion 23rd October 2018

Invictus Games 2018 1. Briefly summarise the Invictus Games 2018 story. 2. How many countries are participating in the 2018 Invictus Games? 3. Complete this sentence. All the athletes participating in the Invictus Games have served in the armed ______. 4. How long did the Duke of Sussex serve in the army? 5. Why did Prince Harry create the Invictus Games? 6. What does the Latin word ‘invictus’ mean? 7. When and where were the first Invictus Games held? 8. Name one sporting event happening at the 2018 Invictus Games? 9. What sport is Brigid Baker competing in? 10. What does PTSD stand for?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Aussie Dollar Drop 1. As a class discuss the issues raised in the Aussie Dollar Drop story. 2. What do steel, sheep, wheat and gold all have in common? 3. What does the term ‘export industry’ mean? 4. In Australia the export industry is worth… a. 3 million dollars b. 37 million dollars c. 373 million dollars 5. Has the falling dollar had a positive or negative affect on Aussie manufacturers? 6. The Australian dollar is currently worth how many US cents? 7. What is the difference between an exporter and an importer? 8. Does it cost more or less to import products to Australia when the dollar is low? 9. How does a low Aussie dollar affect Australians travelling to the US? 10. The value of the Australian dollar changes often. True or false?

Get your class involved in BTN’s Ask A Reporter! This week’s topic is the Aussie Dollar Drop story.

Dirk Hartog Island 1. Briefly summarise the Dirk Hartog Island story. 2. Where is Dirk Hartog Island? Find using Google Maps. 3. How far is Dirk Hartog Island from Perth? 4. Where was Captain Dirk Hartog from? 5. In what year did Captain Dirk Hartog arrive on the island? a. 1616 b. 1716

©ABC 2018 c. 1816 6. Complete this sentence. In 2009 Dirk Hartog Island was listed as a world ______site. 7. What feral animals are they trying to remove from the island? 8. What native species are they trying to reintroduce to the island? 9. What was surprising about this story? 10. What questions do you have after watching the BTN story?

Check out the Dirk Hartog Island resource on the Teachers page. Do the quiz on the BTN website.

History of Portraits 1. Before watching the BTN story, discuss in pairs what you already know about portraits. 2. What is the name of Australia’s portrait competition? 3. The most famous painting in the world is a portrait. True or false? 4. Retell the story of how portraiture first began. 5. During what century did portraiture become popular? 6. What does the word ‘portrait’ mean? 7. Name a well-known artist during the Renaissance period. 8. How did portraiture change when photography was invented? 9. Can a selfie also be called a self-portrait? 10. What did you learn watching the BTN History of Portraits story?

Check out the History of Portraits resource on the Teachers page.

Walk to School 1. Discuss the Walk to School story with another student. 2. What are the environmental benefits of walking or riding to school? 3. How is walking to school good for your health? Give one example. 4. What other benefits are there to walking to school? 5. The survey found that fewer kids are walking to school now than in the past. True or false? 6. In the study, what percentage of kids don’t walk or ride to school? a. 7% b. 17% c. 70% 7. What are some tips for kids who want to walk to school? Make a list. 8. What is the aim of Walk to School month? 9. How do you get to school? Hold a class poll and discuss the results. 10. What did you like about the Walk to School story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

©ABC 2018

Episode 29 Teacher Resource 23rd October 2018 Dirk Hartog Island

1. Briefly summarise the Dirk Hartog Island story.

2. Where is Dirk Hartog Island? Find using Google Maps. Students will learn more about 3. How far is Dirk Hartog Island from Perth? Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog and the environmental restoration project on 4. Where was Captain Dirk Hartog from? Dirk Hartog Island. 5. In what year did Captain Dirk Hartog arrive on the island? a. 1616 b. 1716

c. 1816 Science – Years 5 & 6 6. Complete this sentence. In 2009 Dirk Hartog Island was listed as a Scientific knowledge is used to world ______site. solve problems and inform personal and community decisions. 7. What feral animals are they trying to remove from the island? 8. What native species are they trying to reintroduce to the island? Science – Year 5 Living things have structural 9. What was surprising about this story? features and adaptations that help 10. What questions do you have after watching the BTN story? them to survive in their environment.

Science – Year 6 The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment.

What do you see, think and wonder? Science – Year 7 After watching the BTN Dirk Hartog Island story, students will respond to the Interactions between organisms, including the effects of human following questions: activities can be represented by food chains and food webs.

Science – Year 7 - What did you SEE in this video? Scientific knowledge has changed - What do you THINK about what you saw in this video? peoples’ understanding of the world - What did you LEARN from this story? and is refined as new evidence becomes available. - What was SURPRISING about this story? History – Year 4 The journey(s) of AT LEAST ONE world navigator, explorer or trader up to the late eighteenth century, Class Discussion including their contacts with other Discuss the BTN Dirk Hartog Island story as a class. Record what students societies and any impacts. know and would like to know on the KWHL chart below. Use the following questions to help guide discussion: • Where is Dirk Hartog Island? • Who was Dirk Hartog? • What introduced species were living on Dirk Hartog Island? • What is the aim of the environmental project on Dirk Hartog Island?

©ABC 2018 The following KWLH organiser provides students with a framework to explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what they would like to know and learn.

What do I know? What do I want to know? What have I learnt? How will I find out?

Who was Dirk Hartog? Students will investigate who Dirk Hartog was and find out more about his discovery of the coast of Western Australia. Ask students to respond to the following:

• Who was Dirk Hartog? • Dirk Hartog was the first European to discover… • It’s believed that Hartog’s discovery was an accident. Explain what happened. • What evidence is there that Hartog and his crew landed in Western Australia? • What route from Holland did Hartog use to sail from Europe to Asia? Plot his journey on a world map. • Where are the Spice Islands and why were they important to the Dutch during the 1600s? Watch the Museum of Western Australia’s video to find out more about the Dutch spice trade.

The Dirk Hartog plate is the oldest-known artefact of European exploration in Australia. Ask students to respond to the following:

• Where did Hartog and his crew leave the plate? • What was the plate made from? Source: Trove • What is the plate made from? • Why did they leave the plate on the island? • What message was written on the plate? (research the translation) • Why do you think Dirk Hartog left the plate?

Postcard writing Students will imagine they are Dirk Hartog or one of the crew on the Eendracht in 1616. Write a postcard to a family member explaining your experiences when you reached the coast of Western Australia. Students will use their research findings to support their writing. Include drawings or maps to decorate the front of the postcard.

Students can download this Write a Postcard template to assist them with their design.

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Introduced species – Research Task Discuss the introduced species that have been removed from Dirk Hartog Island. Why were these animals introduced to the island? Students will then investigate the impact introduced species have on the environment and choose one to research. Include the following information:

• A description of the animal • The country the animal came from • When the animal was introduced to Australia • Why the animal was introduced to Australia • Where the animal lives in Australia (show on a map) • The animal’s habitat • The impact the animal is having on native animals and the environment • Methods being used to control the animal (give at least one example)

There are stories about introduced species on the BTN website to help students with their research.

Native animals – Dirk Hartog Island Students will research and write a Native Animal Profile about a native animal being reintroduced to Dirk Hartog Island. Students will use this Native Animal worksheet to record their findings. Encourage students to use a range of sources to find their information. Native animals to be returned to the island are:

• Banded hare-wallaby • Rufous hare-wallaby • Shark Bay mouse • Western barred bandicoot • Western quoll

Students will research the following for their project: • Common and scientific name • Appearance - what are some of their physical characteristics? • Habitat - where does the native animal chosen live? Describe their habitat. • Conservation status • Threats - what are some of the threats to the survival of the native animal? • Interesting features.

©ABC 2018

Western Australian Museum – 1616 Dirk Hartog http://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/dirk-hartog

National Museum Australia – Dirk Hartog http://www.nma.gov.au/online_features/defining_moments/featured/dirk_hartog_lands_off_western_australia

ABC News – Dirk Hartog Island turns back the clock 400 years to a time before European settlement https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-14/dirk-hartog-island-being-sent-400-years-back-in-time/10368926

ABC News – Wallabies, bandicoots among native animal species to be reintroduced to Dirk Hartog Island https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-09/native-animals-to-be-reintroduced-to-dirk-hartog-island/7915504

©ABC 2018

Episode 29 Teacher Resource 23rd October 2018 History of Portraits

1. Before watching the BTN story, discuss in pairs what you already Students will explore the history of know about portraits. portraiture. Students will explore their own identity through 2. What is the name of Australia’s portrait competition? discussion, writing and art. Students 3. The most famous painting in the world is a portrait. True or false? will create a self-portrait and hold a 4. Retell the story of how portraiture first began. class exhibition. 5. During what century did portraiture become popular? 6. What does the word ‘portrait’ mean? 7. Name a well-known artist during the Renaissance period. 8. How did portraiture change when photography was invented? Visual Arts – Years 3 & 4 9. Can a selfie also be called a self-portrait? Explore ideas and artworks from 10. What did you learn watching the BTN History of Portraits story? different cultures and times, including artwork by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to use as inspiration for their own representations.

Use materials, techniques and processes to explore visual conventions when making artworks. Class Discussion Before watching the BTN History of Portraits story, ask students what they Visual Arts – Years 5 & 6 Explore ideas and practices used already know about portraits. Here are some discussion starters: by artists, including practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait • What is a portrait? What is Islander artists, to represent different views, beliefs and opinions. a self-portrait? • Why do we create Develop and apply techniques and portraits? processes when making their artworks. • Where can you see portraits? Plan the display of artworks to • What do portraits tell us enhance their meaning for an audience. about a person? • What makes a portrait Visual Arts – Years 7 & 8 Experiment with visual arts interesting? conventions and techniques, • What is the difference including exploration of techniques between a selfie and a used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to represent a self-portrait? What are the similarities? theme, concept or idea in their artwork.

Present artwork demonstrating consideration of how the artwork is displayed to enhance the artist’s intention to an audience.

©ABC 2018

Mind map Ask students to think of words they associate with the word portrait. Record students’ ideas on a mind map with the word PORTRAIT in the middle. Below are some suggested words.

Background Colour Composition Contemporary

Expression Focus Foreground Form

Gesture Identity Individuality Objects

Portraiture Pose or posture Profile Self-portrait

Shape Style Technique Texture

Ask students to clarify their understanding of the key words by writing down what they think the word means. Swap definitions with a partner and ask them to add to or change the definition. Check them using a dictionary or other source.

KWLH Watch the BTN History of Portraits story and discuss as a class. What questions were raised in the discussion and what are the gaps in their knowledge. The following KWLH organiser provides students with a framework to explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what they would like to know and learn.

What do I What do I want What have I How will I know? to know? learnt? find out?

Students will develop their own question/s for inquiry, collecting and recording information from a wide variety of sources. Students may develop their own question for inquiry or select one or more of the questions below.

• How has portraiture changed over history? Compare the beginnings of portraiture to modern portraiture that you see now. Illustrate using a timeline. • How did painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugin challenge traditional portraiture? • What different techniques can be used to create portraits? Give examples. • How is the medium used in a portrait important in portraying someone’s identity? • What do portraits tell us about a person? Give examples.

©ABC 2018

Exploration Students will choose a well-known portrait or self-portrait (it may be a sculpture, painting, drawing, mixed medium, photograph or film). Students will respond to the questions below to help guide their exploration. Students will then create their own portrait inspired by the artist’s style and technique. Below is a range of well-known portraits/self-portraits your students may be interested in exploring further.

Mona Lisa Leonardo Da Self-Portrait Rembrant Harmenszoon Self-Portrait Vincent Van Gogh Vinci 1503-06 van Rijn 1659 1887

Portrait de Dora Maar Pablo Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Marilyn Monroe Andy Warhol 1967 Picasso 1937 Hummingbird Frida Kahlo 1940

Questions to help guide students’ exploration: • Record as much information as you can about the portrait/self-portrait in 15 minutes. Record everything you see. The longer you look the more you will see. Consider looking at it from different angles, up close and far away. • Who do you think the portrait is of? What can you tell about their personality? What are they doing? Where are they from? Describe their facial expression and posture. • Is it a painting, print, sculpture or another type of artwork? What materials were used to make it? • Do you notice any background objects in the portrait? How do these objects represent the subject’s identity or individuality? • How does the portrait make you feel? What do you like about this portrait/self-portrait? Why did you choose it?

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Who are you? Who are you? Students will reflect on this question and explore their own identity through discussion, writing and art. Students will brainstorm and record how they see themselves, responding to the following reflective questions. Students will then take the information they have learnt about themselves and create a self- portrait.

• Who are you? (How do you see yourself?) • What words best describe you? • What are some objects, events, people or occasions that are important to you? • What are you really passionate about? • What are your most important values? • What do you think is unique and special about you? • What are your strengths? • What are your challenges? • How are you similar/different to other people? How do you feel about your differences? • When do you feel most like yourself? • How do you want people to see you? • Why is it so important to be yourself?

Create a self-portrait Students will create a self-portrait which represents how they see themselves on the inside. Looking at a mirror, students will experiment with poses, costumes and props and produce a self-portrait. Initially students can do some quick, detailed sketches of different features and then use these sketches to help create a final self-portrait. Students will write an artist's statement to go with it. Curate a class exhibition of your students’ self-portraits and choose a title for the exhibition.

Below are some guidelines for students as they create their own self-portrait: • Use colours that you feel reflect your mood or feelings. • What style will you use to create your self-portrait? How will it help portray your identity? • Where are you going to sit? Think about the background of your self-portrait. Is it real or imaginary?

BTN – Young Archie 2018 http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4841038.htm

BTN – Archibald Prize http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2508253.htm

Art Gallery NSW – Young Archie 2018 https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/young-archie/2018/

Art Gallery NSW – Archibald Prize https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/

National Portrait Gallery https://www.portrait.gov.au/

©ABC 2018 BTN: Episode 29 Transcript 23/10/18

Hey. I'm Amelia Moseley and you're watching BTN.

Here's what's coming up.

• Why our low dollar has some businesses looking up.

• Is a selfie a portrait? We ask an art expert for the answer.

• And Jack pulls on a sweat band to discover why walking to school is a big win.

Invictus Games 2018

Reporter: Amelia Moseley

INTRO: But first up today. We're going to take a look at a very special sporting competition happening right now in Australia. People from all over the world are here to take part. But it's about so much more than who wins or loses. Check it out.

18 different countries, 12 different sports and more than 400 competitors. This is the Invictus Games. But these determined athletes share more than just a love of sport. They've all served in the armed forces. So how did this pretty unique sporting event come about? Well, it was actually created by someone you might've heard of - Prince Harry.

You see, this prince was actually a soldier. He served in the army for ten years, including time in Afghanistan. Since then, he's been a passionate advocate for his fellow servicemen and women. Many of whom return home from doing really difficult jobs with injuries and illnesses.

So, Harry decided to create something that would bring together wounded service-people from around the world, to help them recover and set new goals. He called it the Invictus Games because 'invictus' is the Latin word for 'unconquered' or 'undefeated', which symbolises the competitors' strength through tough times.

The first Invictus Games kicked off in London in 2014. Then America hosted, which is why this epic video happened. Then Canada had a go and now it's time for Australia to step up.

These are the countries competing here this year, and these are the sporting events. And just like the Olympic Games, Invictus winners get one of these shiny things. Now meet our Aussie Invictus team. The 72 members have some pretty incredible stories. Brigid Baker is a former army intelligence officer. She has post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which is a mental health issue that often affects people who’ve been through seriously scary or difficult things. She’s now competing in athletics and power lifting.

BRIGID BAKER, INVICTUS COMPETITOR: It's given me goals. Something to work towards, but it's also put me in contact with a really fantastic group of people.

And there's Stewart Shermann who was an army combat medic. He also suffers from PTSD and leg injuries. Although he doesn't need a wheelchair, he's now found a passion for wheelchair tennis

©ABC 2018 and also archery. And he's excited to show his kids some moves.

STEWART SHERMANN, INVICTUS COMPETITOR: These games this year are gonna be the biggest. Sarah and Callum will be coming, so it'll be good to show them what it was all for and that I can actually hit a tennis ball over the net.

So watch this space to see which of these incredible people end up on the podium. Although it's clear this sporting event is about so much more.

This Week in News

It looks like Dr Kerryn Phelps will be the new representative for Wentworth. On Saturday people in the Sydney electorate voted to replace former PM, Malcolm Turnbull who quit parliament after losing the leadership.

While there's still some counting to be done, Dr Phelps is on track to win. The Liberal Party's never lost Wentworth before and losing it could make it really difficult for the government to pass new laws.

Ian Kiernan, the man who helped to create Clean Up Australia Day way back in 1989 passed away last week at the age of 78. He was inspired to start cleaning after he saw how much rubbish was floating around in our oceans.

Over the years Mr Kiernan won a whole bunch of awards for his work and set up the organisation Clean Up The World which helps communities around the globe run events similar to our national clean-up day.

Two cane toads have been found in Canberra. While that might not sound like a big deal to someone from, say, Queensland. Experts are worried that it could be a sign of the pests spreading further south than ever before.

Cane toads are really toxic, and their poison can kill native animals, plants and even pets. That's why authorities work hard to keep track of them around the country. Luckily, experts say Canberra's a bit chilly for cane toads to really feel at home. They reckon the toads probably hitched a ride on someone's car or truck.

And finally, Batman and Wonder Woman might make a good team in Justice League. But when they're pitted against each other, it's Wonder Woman who takes out the popular vote, well at least according to you guys.

©ABC 2018 A survey of Aussie kids aged 8 -13 found that Wonder Woman has now overtaken Batman and Spiderman to be named your favourite superhero for 2018. You go girl.

Aussie Dollar Drop

Reporter: Emma Davies

INTRO: Okay. Lately the value of our Aussie dollar has dropped to its lowest level in years. Sounds like bad news, right? Well, it turns out having a weak currency can actually be a good thing for some Aussies. Take a look.

Steel, sheep, wheat and gold. What do these things have in common? Not a lot, right? Well there is one thing, they're all produced in huge amounts here in Australia. Yep you might not realise it, but heaps and heaps of stuff is made in Australia and sold overseas. In fact, at the moment, the whole export industry is worth around 373 billion dollars - which would buy a whole lot of wheat and sheep. And experts reckon things are only getting better for a really odd reason.

It's got something to do with this, the falling Aussie dollar. Yeah, right, so that's a bad joke. But the whole falling dollar thing is true. It basically means that Australian money isn't worth as much right now as money from many other countries.

That sounds like a really bad thing but for Aussie manufacturers and others that sell stuff abroad, it's great.

See, people love a good deal, right? Well, because our dollar is now worth about 70 US cents, it only costs 70 cents to buy 1-dollar worth of our stuff. So, people can get a lot more for their money if they buy our products over products from many other countries.

Take Ty Hermans for example. He runs a manufacturing company in New South Wales and he says a drop in the Aussie dollar's value has led to his company pulling in more customers from overseas.

TY HERMANS, MANUFACTURER: Some of these guys are customers who took their work overseas 15-20 years ago, even 3-4 years ago and they're already looking to bring stuff back here to be manufactured locally.

It's not just Ty's business either. Experts say heaps of different industries are booming at the moment: food, medicine, make up, vitamins and even toiletries. That's a lot of success. So, everyone's happy, right? Well not quite. Ty's an exporter which means he sells stuff to people overseas. And while he's happy, importers aren't so chuffed. They're the ones who buy things from other countries and bring them here. About 20 billion dollars’ worth of raw materials and goods are imported here every month and when our dollar is low, it costs importers more to bring that stuff here. Think things like computers, phones and cars.

But it doesn't just affect industry. It's the same story if your parents like shopping on overseas websites. Oh, and if you're heading over to the US for a holiday with some sightseeing or swimming or whatever, well you're gonna need more money for that too.

©ABC 2018 So while exporters like Ty are happy, things aren't as great for importers and travellers right now. But stuff like this changes pretty often and no matter which way the value of our money goes, you'll find that there's always a winner and a loser.

Ask a Reporter

Do you have a question about the Australian Dollar? Ask me live on Friday during ask a reporter. Head to our website for the details.

Quiz

And still on that topic, which country's currency is worth the most?

The US

Germany

Or Kuwait

The answer is - Kuwait. One of their 'Dinars' is worth more than 4 and a half Aussie dollars.

Dirk Hartog Island

Reporter: Jack Evans

INTRO: Next up. How do you return an area of land to what it would've been like more than 400 years ago before Europeans arrived? Well it's something scientists have been trying to do on an island off the coast of WA. Let's find out why.

It's hard to imagine what Australia would have looked like before all these cars, buildings and goats. Yes goats. But if you travel to an island just off the coast of Western Australia, you'll be transported 400 years back in time before European contact and before goats. Bear with me, the goat thing will make sense a bit later on.

This is Dirk Hartog Island. It's located about 850 k's north of Perth right near Useless Loop, naww useless loop I'm sure you're terribly useful. The island was named after this guy, Dirk Hartog. He was a Dutch sea captain who got a bit lost on his way to South East Asia and accidently stumbled upon the island way back in 1616. Hundreds of years before Captain Cook arrived. He spent about

©ABC 2018 3 days exploring, left a plaque and quickly set off for South East Asia again.

In the early 1900's Dirk Hartog Island became home to a sheep station complete with about 19,000 sheep. Then in 2009 it was declared a national park and listed as a world heritage site. Now it's home to something else. One of the world's largest restoration projects. The aim is to try to recreate the ecosystem that would have existed on this island before Mr Hartog arrived.

JOHN ASHER, PROJECT MANAGER: When Dirk Hartog arrived on Dirk Hartog Island back in 1616, there was 13 species of ground-dwelling animals on the island, and since 150 years of pastoralism and the feral introduction of cats on the island there's only three left.

The first step was to rid the island of thousands of feral pests including some goats. See I told you, goats. And after 4 years of effort, this month experts on the ground finally declared the island goat, sheep and cat free.

MARGARET BYRNE, DEPARTMENT OF BIODIVERSITY: Removing the cats was the big outcome that we were seeking in the first stage of the project because that then paves the way of being able to return the animals that were once there.

That brings us to step two. Now that the island is free of pests it's time to start re-introducing some of the native species that once lived here. Last year 12 Rufous and 12 banded hare wallabies were taken from the nearby Bernier and Dorre Islands and placed onto Dirk Hartog. These little guys are both threatened species but scientists on the island say they're doing really well in their new home. And there's a good chance their numbers will start to increase.

In the coming years other animals will be brought back onto the island including eastern barred bandicoots, Shark Bay mice, woylies, dibblers and chuditchs. And soon it will be really close to what it once was and most importantly no goats. Sorry goats.

Top Comments

China Surveillance

WINNIE: In my opinion I think this rule might be great for nice people since you actually get rewards.

HANNAH: This is a little creepy because you won't have your own privacy. It is also a little unfair for those people who didn't mean to do anything wrong.

SARAH: I am stuck in the middle with this idea because it wouldn't be nice to have your privacy invaded but on the other hand, it will encourage people to be mature.

History of Portraits

Reporter: Amelia Moseley

INTRO: The National Portrait Gallery has just turned 20 so we thought it was a good time to find out more about this historical artform and why portraits are still so popular. I got out my brushes in search of some answers.

©ABC 2018 Portraits are all about capturing people in a moment in time.

JACK: How much longer do I have to stay like this for?

AMELIA: Uh. Not much longer.

Ok, maybe a few moments in time. There are whole galleries around the globe, and right here in Australia, dedicated to portraits. There are portrait competitions like the Archibald Prize and probably the most famous painting in the world is yup, you guessed it, a portrait.

AMELIA: But why are portraits such a big deal? I think I know someone I can ask.

JACK: Wait. Where are you going?

AMELIA: Just stay still.

AMELIA: Hi Lisa, nice to meet you.

LISA SLADE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Hi Amelia, welcome to the Art Gallery of South Australia.

AMELIA: When did portraiture become a thing?

LISA: Portraiture became very popular around the 13th century and interestingly that's when the word portrait was invented. So, it means to show a likeness.

Ahhh, the Middle Ages. Think medieval knights and stuff. After that came The Renaissance, around the 1500s, when artists like Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo did their thing. And people started to value art more than ever before.

AMELIA: So, who were the kind of people having their portraits painted?

LISA: Ah, usually the wealthy and the powerful. Remember that there's no photography to make a permanent image of yourself, so art served as a way of memorializing somebody. People who'd been dead for hundreds of years could still be living on the wall, if that makes sense.

As centuries went on, artists who weren't getting paid the big bucks would paint loved ones, strangers, or their own faces instead. So, portraits were no longer just of the rich and famous. Then photography came along, and things changed again.

LISA: So, portrait photography became a booming business. There were photography studios lining all of the major streets of Australia. Painting had to change. Painting's role was no longer to paint things that look like life because that's what photography could do just like that.

AMELIA: So, Lisa, I have a serious question for you. What about a selfie? Does that count as a portrait?

LISA: Oh, that's a good one.

AMELIA: It is, isn't it?

LISA: You know, selfies are the ultimate portraits really. The ultimate self-portraits and they stand in a long line of portraiture. They're not just something from the 21st century; artists have been making selfies for a long time, it was just more difficult in the old days.

©ABC 2018 AMELIA: So why are portraits still relevant today if we have photography and everything?

LISA: I think they are ever popular, because we are curious about ourselves, we are curious about each other, and we are curious about people who lived a long, long time ago. So, when you come into the art gallery, sometimes you can stand in front of a portrait that was made 400 years ago, it's like time travelling.

AMELIA: Well in that case Lisa, I’m going to go and finish my portrait I reckon. Thanks for having me.

AMELIA: And it's done. My masterpiece.

JACK: I love it.

Did you know?

The Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911. This worker put it under his jacket and walked out. It wasn't found again for two years.

Sport

As we mentioned earlier, the Invictus Games got underway in Sydney on Saturday and a few Aussies have already topped the podium. So far, the team's won 3 silver medals in the cycling.

Meanwhile, these guys won Australia's first gold medal in the Elliot 7 team sailing event and were cheered on by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex themselves.

The NBA season kicked off last week in the US, and Aussie Ben Simmons did what he does best, play good basketball obviously.

His team, the Philadelphia 76ers, have only won 1 game so far but he's still making his mark with his first triple double on the weekend. That's hitting double figures in points, rebounds and assists.

Finally, to something possibly just as challenging. Argentina's annual waiters race. The rules are pretty simple. Walk as fast as possible without spilling or dropping anything.

Walter took out the top prize in the 31 to 45 age range and his friends and fellow waiters were pretty stoked.

©ABC 2018 Walk to School

Reporter: Jack Evans

INTRO: OK finally today. October is 'International Walk to School Month'. But these days, there aren't as many kids doing that. So, we asked Jack to find out why getting to school on foot can be a step in the right direction.

JACK: All my life I've been told one thing.

KID 1: Gee, you're tall aren't ya.

JACK: And being blessed with the height of a baby giraffe means my long legs are perfect for what I like to call walking.

KID 2: It is called walking.

JACK: So, you can imagine my utter delight when I found out I get do a story on walking to school. Although I don't go to school anymore so really, it's a bit odd. But that doesn't matter because I said: "I'll do it." and here I am doing it. Hey, wait for me.

JACK: Right, so this is walking?

KID 3: Yes.

JACK: How often does everyone walk to school?

KID 4: Every day because my house is 5 minutes away from the school.

JACK: Anyone else?

KID 2: Ah yeah. I walk home every day but not to school, I get driven.

JACK: Does anybody ride to school?

KIDS: Yeah, we ride together.

JACK: Oh, maybe I should walk more.

Walking to school has a stack of benefits. It means fewer cars on the road, which means less traffic. Plus, less greenhouses gases produced which is better for the environment. It's also a great way to connect with friends and family. But on top of all that, walking is also really good for you. Studies have found that walking, particularly outdoors, can actually help you focus; make you more creative; and it can even boost your mood, on top of the other health benefits.

But a recent study done in Victoria found that fewer kids are walking to school now than in the past. It surveyed 1000 families and found that around 70% don't walk or ride to school. It also

©ABC 2018 found that even if a family only lived 750 metres from the school, which is about a 10-minute walk, they would still usually get dropped off in a car.

That's why Walk to School month is being held right now. Schools right around the world are taking part by, well, walking to school more often. It doesn't even have to be walking. You could run, hop, jump, skip, bounce, ride, dance or swim instead. Uh actually swimming might be a little difficult unless you go to school on an island.

JACK: Does anybody have any tips for walking to school?

KID 1: Yeah look both ways, especially when you're crossing the road.

KID 5: And don't be on your phone while you're walking.

JACK: That's a good point. Anything else?

KID 2: Always check that shoes are tied so you don't accidently trip over.

JACK: Another good point.

And most importantly, you should always ask your parents for permission and plan your route with their help. Try and walk with a friend, sibling or other family member. Always walk on a footpath and stop at driveways and make sure you're always keeping an eye out for cars.

JACK: And with that we've made it to school. Well I guess this is goodbye.

KIDS: Bye Jack.

JACK: You'll go off to class and I'll just go back to work I guess. Oh, they're gone, great now I'm talking to myself. Oh well, maybe I'll go for a walk.

Closer

And that's about it for this week's show. But remember to hit us up online to tell us what you thought about today's stories. And I'll see you next week. Have a good one.

©ABC 2018