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Online

Making history

This resource supports students, individuals and community groups to research, produce and share a short digital history about a person or event.

Video

The use of images

In this resource Thomas Keneally reveals his reasons for choosing the images in 'Australians: Origins to Eureka'.

Online

Little J & Big Cuz

These resources provide support for Early Years (K-2) educators with ideas and options for including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge, understanding and skills in their teaching and learning programs. A filter is provided to guide teachers to resources which relate to specific learning areas and/or year ...

Video

Pipe dreams, 2007: O'Connor's dream for water

This clip is an excerpt from the 2007 film 'Pipe dreams' (55 min), the second episode of a three-part series entitled 'Constructing Australia'. Over black-and-white photographs and dramatised video of the key players, a narrator describes the significant challenges of supplying water to the WA goldfields in the late 19th ...

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Thomas Keneally – Lachlan Macquarie

In this resource Thomas Keneally assesses Macquarie’s role in development of NSW.

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Telling the truth in history

In this resource Thomas Keneally addresses the issue of fictionalising history and the difference between novels and histories.

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Understanding the past

In this resource Thomas Keneally addresses the importance of understanding Australia’s past with particular emphasis on Australia’s strong tradition of democratic action and democratic institutions.

Video

The significance of Bennelong Point

In this resource Thomas Keneally speaks about the significance of Bennelong Point and the relationship between Governor Phillip and Bennelong. Learncast video.

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The significance of Bennelong

In this resource Thomas Keneally speaks about the significance of Bennelong and contrasts him with Pemulwuy.

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The history in the journey

In this resource Thomas Keneally speaks about telling the history of Australia using the journeys of people who lived it.

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Thomas Keneally – fascinating facts about Aboriginal people

In this resource Thomas Keneally speaks about the extraordinary things he discovered about Aboriginal people from a archaeological dig at Brewarrina.

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The research process

In this resource Thomas Keneally reveals the sources he used to uncover the details about early life in Australia.

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Belonging

In this resource Thomas Keneally addresses the issues of belonging and of marginalised peoples.

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Face2Face: Thomas Keneally

This resource is an interview with Thomas Keneally on his book, 'Australians: Origins to Eureka'.

Video

Thinking about settings with Leigh Hobbs

As Leigh Hobbs says, the great thing about inventing a character is that you also have the power to choose where they live. What's your character's world like? Describe your character at home. Where do they live? And what do they do there? Now choose a completely different location and plonk your character there. Think ...

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Tony Wilson's advice for new writers

What does author Tony Wilson think the hardest thing for new writers is? What does he say is the best way to get better at writing? Tony mentions an Australian author called Sonya Hartnett. Do some research and find out how old Sonya was when she wrote her first book. If writing is something you have fun doing, perhaps ...

Video

Why is it useful to have a big bad wolf character in stories?

Watch this clip to hear Andy Griffiths explain why it's good to have villains in stories. How can the "big bad wolf" character help to move the story along? Think about some of the stories you've read lately. Which characters were the "big bad wolf" characters and what did they add to the stories? 

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Story development and plot holes with Andy Griffiths

How do you move your characters forward in a story? A trick Andy Griffiths uses is asking a lot of questions. His favourite question to ask is "what's the worst thing that can happen next?" Try asking yourself that question if you get stuck when writing your next story. In this clip Andy also talks about plot holes. What ...

Video

Sculpting ideas into stories with Andy Griffiths

Watch this clip to learn how Andy Griffiths turns his ideas into stories. In particular, listen to the way Andy describes how his collaboration with illustrator Terry Denton works. Now team up with a friend or family member and take on the roles of author and illustrator. What ideas can you come up with by working together? ...

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BTN: Meet a young author

Do you love writing stories? Learn how Hannah Chandler got a book published at the age of 12! Why don't you make your own book? Once you're happy with your story, find yourself an illustrator (a friend, family member or even yourself!) and start designing your pages. Once they're ready attach them all together. Don't forget ...