Topic: Influential Indigenous People in Australian Society and History

Abstract: This unit of work will aim to highlight and recognise the contributions to Australian History and current Australian society of Indigenous peoples. The tasks and activities covered in this unit will strive to enhance student knowledge and understanding of historical, social and political contexts of the time of the Indigenous peoples actions. The fields in which Indigenous people have contributed to and changed will be discussed; art, education, science, politics etc.

Objectives: For students to know and recognise the actions of important Indigenous people in

Australian history and current Australian Society. For students to understand the contributions and actions of those important

Indigenous people. For students to know the social, historical and political context surrounding the

actions of the important Indigenous person’s and reason why their actions were influential.

For students to know and understand the field in which the important person has contributed to.

For students to understand the policies that created inequality, injustice and the need for change, social justice, human rights and influential people.

Learning Foci & Unit Outline:Australian National Curriculum Foci Elaborations

The contribution of individuals and groups, including Aboriginal people and/or Torres Strait Islanders and migrants, to the development of Australian society, for example in areas such as the economy, education, science, the arts, sport. (ACHHK116)(Year 6 Standard)

considering notable individuals in Australian public life across a range of fields (for example the arts, science, sport, education), including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, a range of cultural and social groups, and women and men drawn from the Australian Living Treasures list or from the Australian Dictionary of Biography

Objectives Activities For students to display and share their

knowledge of important people in Australian history and current society.

For students to display understanding of contributions made by these influential people.

For teachers to be able to view student prior knowledge of important people in Australian history and current society.

Create a mindmap, individually, in groups or as a class.

Choose a field (i.e. art, sport, science) and allow students to brainstorm people they know.

Discuss and define the terms ‘influential’, ‘contribution’, ‘important’ and ‘Indigenous’.

For students to investigate influential Indigenous Australians and their

Excursion to the National Sports Museum http://www.nsm.org.au/

contributions to Australian history and society.

To effectively engage and focus students in the topic.

To physically show the students the various fields that have been influenced and changed by important Indigenous people.

Excursion to Bunjilaka Museum http://museumvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/

Excursion to Flinders Lane Gallery http://www.flg.com.au/Index.htm

Excursion to AFL House to speak about the Indigenous influence in the game http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=777

For students to discover Indigenous people and their contributions through Australian history and current society.

For students to understand the contexts in which these people lived and create change.

For students to learn that Indigenous peoples are involved and contributing in all fields (i.e. the AFL, art).

Students are to choose an Indigenous person from the Australian National Living Treasure list.

Create a profile about the person. Research the context in which the person

lived through (time, politics, and social contexts).

Research influential Indigenous groups via ICT.

Discover Indigenous people in modern society in various fields and where they come from. http://www.afl.com.au/indigenousplayersmap/tabid/19215/default.aspx

For students to understand the policies that created inequality, injustice and the need for change, social justice, human rights and influential people.

For students to know that these changes are only very recent.

For students to be aware of the contributions that have been made by Indigenous peoples in history and society.

Review, discuss, analyse and infer implications of major policy documents throughout Australian history.

Discuss major changes in policy and society and, the people involved in these events. (Nicky Winmar, Peter Norman, Cathy Freeman)

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/zzzz- pages-to-be-deleted/old-sport/an-evolving-culture-club/story-fn83zji2-1226073065007

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/ programs/lifematters/black-and-proud3a-nicky-winmar27s-moment-of-defiance/4005922

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=k9NsN0ybTec&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oeXpoRIvDPw

Gauging student prior knowledge: Assessment Task 1 Part 2

Task: As a class, we are to briefly discuss some important Australians and what makes them important. The task will then be demonstrated and explained to the students.

In groups of 4 or 5, students are to create a mindmap of important Australians that they know of. They are to include the field the person has contributed to (i.e. science, art, sport etc.), what they are important for and any other facts they would like to include. They can use illustrations to replace words in their mindmaps.

Students will then select one important Australian and create a 1 to 2 minute performance depicting their contribution to Australian culture or the person’s life.

Assessment of prior knowledge will be based on the completion of the mindmap and the quality of and the information provided in the performance.

Criterion High High-Med

Med Low Not Shown

Mindmap includes 8 or more important Australians, their fields and contribution(s) to Australia and Australian culture. 10All students contribute to class discussion and group work. 5Mindmap is presented in an informative and creative manner. 5Performance provides insight and information about the important Australian, their field and their contribution(s) to Australia and Australian culture. 10Students are able to articulate their knowledge of important Australians through answering directed questions from teacher and peers. 10

/40

Gauging student progression: Assessment Task 2 Part 2

Task: This assignment will allow students to further their understanding and knowledge of important Australians, what makes someone important, think creatively and analytically and, justify, explain and use the point of view of the important person to explain their actions and implications to Australia and society. Students will choose an important Australian and complete the following:Gathering Information and Understanding Meaning (Choose 2)

Create a personal profile about your important person. Gather newspaper and/or internet articles about your important person and summarise

each article. Create a list of what is included in your person’s field. Write a report about events and the time surrounding your important person and their

contribution(s) to Australia and the culture.Investigating and Analysing (Choose 3)

Write and perform a song about your important person and their accomplishments. Draw a comic including your important person and relevant information about your

person. Write up an interview for your important person and include answers to the questions

‘by’ your person. Write 3 journal entries on behalf of your person. Make a diorama showing your person and their significant contribution/why they are

important. Create a timeline showing relevant significant events before during and after the time

of your person and their actions.Forming Opinions and Making Judgments (Choose 1)

Write a letter from your person’s point of view about a current societal issue. Explain why your person is important and why their contribution is important. Summarise and critique the context (time, place, society, politics etc.) in which the

influential person lived and contributed to Australian history and modern society.Assessment of student progression of knowledge will be displayed via the completion of this task. Criterion High High-

MedMed Low Not

ShownTasks demonstrate a sound understanding of the person’s background and contribution(s). 10Events leading to the person’s contribution(s) are made reference to and/or explained. 10Student is able to express opinions and views from their chosen person’s perspectives. 10Work is presented in a clear, fluent, meaningful, informative and creative manner. 10Students are able to articulate their knowledge of important Australians through answering directed questions from teacher and peers. 10

/ 50

Australian National Living Treasures: are people who have made outstanding contributions to Australian society in any field of human endeavour. In 1997 the National Trust of Australia (NSW) called for nominations from the public for 100 Australian Living Treasures and each nomination was counted as one vote. The nominees had to be living and had to have made a substantial and enduring contribution. There was no request to rank nominations. The choice of those who were named as National Living Treasures was not made by the Board or the Executive of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and more than 10,000 Australians voted. Their votes determined who was chosen. The first list of 100 Living Treasures was published in 1997.In 2004 the list was refreshed with 15 names, following the deaths of notable Australians (and the exclusion of disgraced former Justice Marcus Einfeld) following an identical process to that used in 1997 – a public nomination and vote.On 23 January 2012, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) added seven new National Living Treasures. They were announced, amid controversy, on 4 March 2012.Current listThe list, in alphabetical order, stands as follows:1. Phillip Adams, humanist, social commentator2. Faith Bandler, academic, activist and advocate

for Indigenous Australians and South Sea Islander people

3. Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, professor

4. John Bell, actor5. Geoffrey Blainey, professor, historian6. Raelene Boyle, Olympic runner, sports

commentator7. Sir Jack Brabham, world champion Formula

One driver8. Father Frank Brennan, social commentator9. Senator Bob Brown, politician, Australian

Greens activist10. Julian Burnside, barrister, refugee rights

advocate, author11. Don Burrows, musician12. Dr Harry Butler, naturalist and conservationist13. The Reverend Tim Costello, social activist,

commentator14. The Reverend Bill Crews, social activist15. Russell Crowe, actor16. Bart Cummings, racehorse trainer17. Betty Cuthbert, Olympic runner18. Judy Davis, actress19. Sir William Deane, former High Court judge

and former Governor-General of Australia20. Ernie Dingo, Indigenous Australian television

personality21. Mick Dodson, Indigenous Australian leader22. Pat Dodson, Indigenous Australian

activist/leader23. Peter Doherty, immunologist, professor,

Nobel Prize winner24. Ted Egan, musician, activist, administrator25. Herb Elliott, Olympic runner26. John Farnham, entertainer27. Dawn Fraser, Olympic swimmer, former

politician28. Malcolm Fraser, former Prime Minister of

Australia29. Professor Ian Frazer, scientist30. Cathy Freeman, Indigenous Australian

sportsperson, Olympic runner31. Margaret Fulton, writer, food expert

32. Peter Garrett, politician, former singer and social activist

33. Jennie George, ACTU trade union leader, politician

34. Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Indigenous Australian tennis player

35. Shane Gould, Olympic swimmer36. Germaine Greer, writer, social activist37. Catherine Hamlin, physician38. Rolf Harris, entertainer39. John Hatton, independent NSW politician40. Hazel Hawke, social activist, ex-wife of Bob

Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia41. Basil Hetzel, medical researcher, public health

advocate42. The Rt Revd Peter Hollingworth, former

Governor-General of Australia43. Gabi Hollows, social activist, philanthropist44. Janet Holmes à Court, business leader,

philanthropist45. John Howard, politician, former Prime

Minister of Australia46. Robert Hughes, art critic, author47. Barry Humphries, entertainer48. Barry Jones, former politician, author,

polymath49. Caroline Jones, television personality, social

commentator50. Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of

Australia51. Thomas Keneally, writer52. Cheryl Kernot, former politician53. Nicole Kidman, actress54. Ian Kiernan, businessman, social activist55. Justice Michael Kirby, lawyer, judge, social

commentator56. Dame Leonie Kramer, academic,

businesswoman57. Karl Kruszelnicki, scientist, author, media

personality58. John Landy, Olympic athlete, former

Governor of Victoria59. Rod Laver, tennis player, businessman60. Michael Leunig, cartoonist, social

commentator61. Ted Mack, politician, social commentator62. David Malouf, novelist63. Colleen McCullough, author, writer

64. Garry McDonald, actor65. Walter Mikac, survivors' advocate66. Kylie Minogue, singer, actress67. Jack Mundey, trade union leader68. Graeme Murphy, dancer, choreographer69. Les A Murray, poet70. John Newcombe, tennis player, television

commentator71. Olivia Newton-John, singer, actress72. Greg Norman, golfer, businessman73. Sir Gustav Nossal, scientist, administrator74. Lowitja O'Donoghue, Indigenous Australian

leader75. Pat O'Shane, magistrate, Indigenous

Australian leader76. Clive Palmer, mining magnate77. Mary Paton, founder of the Nursing Mothers'

Association78. Noel Pearson, Indigenous Australian leader79. Kieren Perkins, Olympic swimmer, television

commentator80. Pat Rafter, tennis player81. Henry Reynolds, historian82. Ken Rosewall, tennis player83. Peter Sculthorpe, musician, composer84. Dick Smith, businessman, social commentator85. Fiona Stanley, physician86. Richard Tognetti, violinist and conductor87. Tom Uren, former politician88. Anthony Warlow, singer89. Gai Waterhouse, racehorse trainer90. Steve Waugh, cricketer91. Gough Whitlam, former Prime Minister of

Australia92. Robyn Williams, science broadcaster93. David Williamson, playwright94. Tim Winton, novelist95. Fiona Wood, physician96. Roger Woodward, pianist97. John Yu, medical doctor98. Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Indigenous Australian

leader

Deceased (formerly listed) Betty Archdale, cricketer, educator (d.

2000) Nancy Bird Walton, aviator (d. 2009) Arthur Boyd, artist (d. 1999) Sir Don Bradman, cricketer (d. 2001) Ruth Cracknell, actress (d. 2002) Sir Roden Cutler, World War II hero,

Governor of New South Wales (d. 2002) Don Dunstan, politician, Premier of South

Australia, social commentator (d. 1999) Slim Dusty, singer, entertainer (d. 2003) Donald Horne, academic, writer, author of

The Lucky Country (d. 2005) Elizabeth Jolley, author (d. 2007) Jimmy Little, Indigenous Australian

singer, (d. 2012) Edward (Ted) Matthews, World War I

soldier and last Gallipoli survivor (d. 1997)

Judith Wright McKinney, poet (d. 2000) Sir Mark Oliphant, physicist, Governor of

South Australia (d. 2000) Margaret Olley, artist (d. 2011) Charles Perkins, Indigenous Australian

leader (d. 2000) Mum (Shirl) Smith, Aboriginal Australian

activist (d. 1998) Dame Joan Sutherland, opera singer (d.

2010) Mavis Taylor, humanitarian (d. 2007) The Rev Sir Alan Walker, social

commentator/activist (d. 2003) Morris West, author (d. 1999) Margaret Whitlam, social activist, wife of

Gough Whitlam (d. 2012) R. M. Williams, businessman (d. 2003)

Living (formerly listed) Marcus Einfeld, "disgraced former judge"

(Taken from Wikipedia)