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 <http://www.sbs. current generations of the family? Do you think that it will com.au/shows/whodoyouthinkyouare/about/page/i/1/h/ be easier for the future generations of your family to track Series-2/>. their ancestors? 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 <http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/whodoyouthinkyouare/ 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 <http://www.ronbarssi.com.au>. to the aid of a young woman outside a Melbourne Share your findings with others in the class. restaurant. The seventy-two year old was knocked to the ground and beaten. ‘Who do you think you are?’ What do you think Ron would say in response to this question? Draw Read and view news reports about the incident online.