The Making of Modern Australia: Australians' 'birthright', a home of their own

SUBJECTS:  History

YEARS:  9–10

Within ten years of the war ending, 300,000 new houses had been built.

Discover the characteristics of the Australian dream house in the 1950s and the significance of home ownership during this period.

Things to think about

1. 1.This clip presents the idea that owning your own home is your 'birthright'. What do you think that means? Is that idea relevant today?
2. 2.What imagery is used to present the typical dream home in the 1950s? How would you describe the housing of that time?
3. 3.What reasonable criticisms could be made of this film clip today, considering how Australian society has developed in the last 50 years? How have expectations and values changed during that time?
4. 4.Using information from this clip and the related clip 'Building their own home', draw up a list of the characteristics of a 1950s Australian dream house. Collect information online on today's average house sizes and costs. Display the two sets of information in a way that helps people see how housing values have changed since World War II.

Date of broadcast: 29 Jul 2010

Copyright

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