Education Material

Post-visit activities and discussion topics

1901
The debate surrounding the decision for Australia to become a commonwealth lasted over 10 years - the Republic debate has lasted almost a similar period of time. How would you draw this cartoon if it was about the current republic debate?

1902
Which other Australians can you think of today whose careers are like Melba's?
Why do you think we feel the need to have "icons" like these?

1903
Design your own flag for today's Australia. What would you leave in - and leave out - and what new elements would you introduce? Explain your choices.

1904
Apart from an army badge, what other types of badges and symbols would you have developed if you were a citizen of a "new country" back then? What is appropriate now?

Discover more about the origins of the rising sun badge by visiting the Rising Sun Crest page on the Australian Army's website.

1905
Go to the Governor-General's website. How many were born in Australia? Who was the first Governor-General to be born in Australia?

1906
In the years since 1920, what other symbols can you think of that have become uniquely Australian?

1907
What does "frugal" mean? Do you think it is fair to expect people to live in "frugal" comfort?
How much do you think a "family of five" would need today?

Find out more about Hugh McKay and the Sunshine Harvester Works at the Museum of Victoria's website. Why do you think Braybrook Junction was renamed Sunshine?

1908
In 1908 Australia had no navy and a small defence force. Which country do you think Australia would have depended on for naval defence? Why? What effect do you think the presence of the American fleet might have had on Australians?

1909
Do you think some or any of the "bushman" qualities still exist in the Australian character?

1910
The new system of coinage that was introduced in 1910 was called "pounds, shillings and pence". When was this system replaced?

Why do you think it was important for Australia to have its own coinage?

1911
Is Australia still worried about security in its region today? Give an example.

1912
Why do you think Australia still has an interest in the Antarctic?

1913
Read David Unaipon's quote from the $50 note. Do you think his hopes are being realised?

1914
Why do you think many Australians wanted to get involved in a war in Europe?

Have you seen a similar level of enthusiasm for Australian involvement in war or peacekeeping operations recently?

1915
Despite the fact that the Gallipoli campaign was a military disaster, Australians are proud of their record there. Why do think that is?

1916
Many people saw Australia's involvement in the war as the sort of "rite of passage" or "blood sacrifice" that every new nation has to go through. What does this mean?

1917
What sort of social and employment changes did women experience during the First World War?

1918
Australian troops were involved in some of the major victories against the German army in France in 1918. Find out more about the Battle of Hamel at the Australian War Memorial's online exhibition 1918 Australians In France.

1919
Imagine the conditions you might experience flying over 18,000 kilometres in an open cockpit. Write a diary extract about your flight.

1920
The Western Front in France, where Australians fought during the First World War, is over 18,000 kilometres from Australia. How could a returning soldier help people at home understand what he had seen and experienced during the war if there was no way of showing them firsthand? What would you have done?

1921
Charles Bean, Australia's Official Historian of the First World War, wrote that before the war, Australia was "still six colonies rather than a single federated nation", but during the war Australians "saw their own men… flash across the world's consciousness like a shooting star. The Australian nation came to know itself."

Do you think this is what happened as a result of the war?

It is 1921 - the twentieth anniversary of Federation. You have been asked to design a poster to advertise the celebration activities. Include in the poster all the achievements that you consider Australia has made in these twenty years. Look back to the cartoon of Nurse Barton and think about the "baby's" progress.

Arrival of the new baby.
Nurse Barton: "He ain't much to look at now. But wait till he grows!"
From The Bulletin 1900.
Collection of the Australian War Memorial.