The State Library of NSW houses collections of documents. This website provides access to resources which tell the story of explorers' attempts to cross the Blue Mountains including journals, watercolour drawings and maps.

This site describes modes of transport in the 1800s including the use of pack horses and gives students an idea of how tedious travel was. Students could compare the journey in the 1800s and the journey today with the availability of modern transport. Students could study the development of infrastructure, in particular the construction of a railway.

The site also contains images of William Lawson and William Charles Wenthworth’s journals. Journals could be used as a literacy tool and students could read and compare other historic journals or write their own journals based on historical events.

The maps could introduce the students to cartography and lead into a unit which examines other areas and types of maps. Students could undertake activities such as making maps which are relevant to their lives, such as for the local area.

Exploration of the Blue Mountains will be of particular interest to Sydney students because it is within close proximity to where they live but many students will not have been there. This topic could involve an excursion to the Blue Mountains for students to see the terrain and gain an understanding of the hardship of colonial exploration.

What did Sydney look like in the 1800s? Use this short clip of paintings by Conrad Martens to show significant buildings and land forms of the early colony. Teaching notes accompany the clip.

Use primary sources, such as paintings that were done at the time, to show what places were like in the past. In this 2 minute clip, the paintings by the artist Conrad Martens, provide a historical record of the early Sydney colony from 1835-1870.

A significant incident during the Australian gold rush period was the Eureka stockade and today, it is recognised as being an event that shaped Australia’s political landscape. This BtN report covers the importance of the Eureka Stockade not only for the miners during the 1850s but its continuing effect on Australia’s democracy. Educational television programs like BtN have been recognised as effective resources teachers can utilise as they raise current problems and issues, have the ability to stimulate student curiosity and allows for discussion (Marsh, 2010, p. 247).

This BtN report would be appropriate to show to students within the classroom due to its comprehensible information and its engaging and entertaining format. It would be beneficial for teachers to use this clip as a foundation and an introductory activity on the importance of the Eureka stockade and its effect on Australia’s political landscape. Students should watch the clip twice – firstly as enjoyment and secondly to record information relevant for follow up discussion and activities. A scaffold should be provided for students while watching the video so they know what they should be listening to. After watching the clip twice, teachers should instigate a discussion identifying what students learnt from the video and what they have written in the scaffold. The BtN website provides questions that teachers can draw upon to discuss the Eureka Stockade Report. However, teachers should also provide discussion points and questions to link the Eureka stockade and its effect on shaping Australia as a democracy and Australia’s identity. It is important that teachers have a discussion after viewing this news report because it allows teachers to identify if students understood the information presented, assess if students were listening as well as receive an indication if further clarification is needed on particular aspects. If students do require more explanation, the website provides other links teachers and students can access for more information. Linked websites include the Museum of Australian Democracy Eureka website, Australian Government website on the Eureka Stockade and the State Library of Victoria website.

Reference: 

Marsh, C. (2010). Becoming a teacher: Knowledge, skills and issues. Frenchs Forrest: Pearsons.