Skip to main content
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this resource contains images of people who have died.

The Australian Dream: Resilience and reconciliation

Posted , updated 
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Two indigenous men sit in crowd
The Australian Dream: Resilience and reconciliation

SUBJECTS:  Civics and CitizenshipHealth and Physical EducationHistory

YEARS:  9–10


This clip looks at casual racism in Australia, including some infamous incidents throughout Adam Goodes's playing career that shook the nation.

Adam showed a great deal of resilience and courage throughout this difficult time. Look at how many Australians stood with Adam, letting him know they valued his leadership and efforts to stop racism. The #IStandWithAdam campaign became a powerful vehicle to spread the word that racism would not be tolerated in Australia.

Adam's resilience was pushed to the limit. He knew he needed to take some time off from football to look after himself. He showed the AFL community and Australians that it's OK to take a break.

To talk with someone about mental health call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or visit headspace, beyondblue or ReachOut.


Things to think about

  1. 1.What does it mean to be resilient? How do we show resilience? How do you build resilience? What do you know about the Stolen Generations and the impact it had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? What was the government policy at the time regarding the removal of children from their families?
  2. 2.What was the main message from the Aboriginal rally? How have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people shown resilience since European settlement? In the rally, what words are spoken that reflect resilience and forgiveness from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
  3. 3.How has Adam Goodes shown resilience throughout his journey? What have you learnt about the Stolen Generations? Discuss how the Policy of Assimilation has impacted Adam's mother and her children. How did the survival of colonisation demonstrate the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? How did Adam's culture play a part in his healing? Reflect on the #IStandWithAdam campaign. How important was this campaign at the time? How do you think it made Adam feel? How do you think it made other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel? What other campaigns do you know about? Throughout history, how have different campaigns and movements ignited social and political change? What campaign could you start to help people know that mental wellbeing is important and it's OK to ask for help?
  4. 4.Adam Goodes reached out for help when he was struggling through the very negative public responses. He showed us that we don't need to pretend everything is alright; we can say we are struggling and people will surround us with love and help us. Who can you reach out to if you need support in a difficult situation? Who are five people you trust to support you? Teachers: Research an organisation that young people can access for wellbeing support. Invite someone from one of these organisations to come and talk to students about how they help and support people who reach out for help. How have campaigns in history created movements to ignite social and political change? What other campaigns do you know about? What campaign could you start to help people know it's OK to ask for help and looking after your mental wellbeing is important? We strongly encourage you to read about, understand and get behind The Australian Dream campaign and encourage your students to express their thoughts, feelings, emotions and visions for their Australia.


Teachers

To help you hold these discussions, refer to the key considerations to delivering The Australian Dream education resources.

We encourage you to give students a platform to share their own Australian dream and get behind The Australian Dream campaign by encouraging your students to express their thoughts, feelings, emotions and visions for their Australia.


Acknowledgements

These discussion notes have been written in consultation with Culture Is Life.


Date of broadcast: 29 Dec 2020


Copyright

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2020 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Posted , updated