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Listed under:  Society  >  Citizenship  >  Politics  >  Political independence  >  Federation
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Edmund Barton, prime minister 1901-03

This is a black-and-white photograph of Edmund Barton which introduces a range of online materials about his life and various roles as a politician, advocate for federation and High Court justice. The photograph was taken during his term as Australia's first prime minister. He is wearing a waistcoat and suit and is facing ...

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George Reid, prime minister 1904-05

This is a black-and-white photograph of George Reid, Australia's fourth prime minister, which introduces a range of online material about his life and career. The photograph is an official portrait. It shows him wearing a white shirt with a white tie and vest. He is looking away from the camera.

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Alfred Deakin, prime minister 1903-04, 1905-08, 1909-10

This is a black-and-white photograph of Alfred Deakin, Australia's second prime minister. It shows him wearing a white shirt and tie, with a vest. He is facing the camera and appears to be writing with a feathered quill.

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Chris Watson, prime minister 1904

This is a black-and-white photograph of Chris Watson, Australia's third prime minister. He is bearded, and wearing a white shirt and striped tie with a vest. He is facing the camera.

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Federal Parliament history timeline

This interactive timeline explores key milestones in the history of Australia's Parliament that led to federation and how the work of Parliament has influenced Australian democratic development since 1901. The timeline allows users to explore the milestones chronologically or follow thematic trails. Selected milestones ...

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The Australian Parliament

This website resource is a teacher reference about the Australian Parliament, its constituent parts and how it works. It describes in general terms the movement towards Federation then looks at the symbols and emblems subsequently adopted by the Commonwealth of Australia. The resource includes a list of the democratic rights ...

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Royal Australian Mint: units of work

This suite of teaching and learning units of work related to Australian currencies for middle and upper primary students. The units explore the role coins play in commemoration and the history of Australian currency from colonial times to post Federation. Lessons are supplemented with a range of cross-curriculum lesson ideas.

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Federation

Federation is the process by which six partly self-governing British colonies decided to form a new nation. Australia was created by peaceful means as an Act of the British Parliament—the result of much consideration and debate. This webpage provides a series of resources examining the path to federation. The page includes ...

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Australian Constitution in focus

The Australian Constitution is the legal framework for how Australia is governed. This article explores in detail the history of the Constitution, its key features and the High Court’s role in interpreting it. The page describes processes for amending the Constitution including through referendum as well as two case studies ...

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Interviews With 10 Australian Authors, Ch 8: Experience colonial Australia with Tom Keneally

Thomas Keneally likes to put himself in the shoes of figures from history, whether it's as a member of the SS or an Indigenous man treated unjustly, and ask ‘What would I have done?' In this interview he discusses why he was drawn to the Jimmie Governor story and the significance of the looming Federation of Australia.

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Examining Australia's Constitution

In this clip, reporter Stan Grant visits the National Archives of Australia to revisit the moment when Australia became a federation, on 1 January 1901. Stan examines the original Australian Constitution and reads out Section 127. What does it say? To try to understand why Indigenous people were so excluded, Stan considers ...

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BTN: What is a referendum?

Watch this video to find out how Australia became a Federation. What happened in 1897?  What things stayed the same, and what things changed when Australia became a Federation? What is a referendum? There have been many others held in Australia since this early one. Do some research and find out what other issues Australians ...

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Rural communities: community events

This is a website about rural life in Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries; there is a particular focus on community activities that brought people together to socialise and as a boost for morale. It includes information about community events, social and recreational activities and key organisations and societies for ...

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BTN: Federation of Australia

Did you know that Australia as a federated nation is only about 115 years old? Before federation, Australia's states and territories each had its own laws and even its own army! Watch this clip to find out how, why and when Australia became a federation.

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BTN: Federation explained

On 1 January 1901 New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria officially joined together to make one country: the Commonwealth of Australia. Before this, they had each been separate British colonies and operated like individual countries. Watch this clip and find out why the colonies ...

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CLab21: The Chinese Question

A collaborative resource engaging students in 21st Century Learning skills supporting the use of Google Apps in the classroom. This Stage 5 History resource examines the experiences of Chinese migrants in Colonial Australia. Students play the role of a committee established to investigate the causes of tension between Chinese ...

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NSW Governor Marie Bashir – 2010 speech to students

This resource is a YouTube playlist containing a series of videos from a speech the NSW Governor Marie Bashir gave to senior high school students at Government House in 2010. She speaks on a range of topics, including the Australian system of government, the history of Australia and NSW, and her life. She also answers ...

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Off to war: Australia answers the call

This is a Stage 5 resource that looks at the reasons for World War I, the reaction in Australia and the messages promoted by enlistment posters. The resource will support the introduction of the new syllabus and will dovetail with the Anzac Centenary commemorative events and publications.

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Our nation: then and now - teacher resource

This is a resource about analysing photographs taken at the time of Federation and comparing them with contemporary photographs. It includes a set of eight photographs and a suggestion about where to find more. The resource also contains detailed suggestions about how students should examine the photographs, a Federation ...

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Electoral events timeline

This is a timeline setting out some major dates in Australia's electoral history. It begins in 1835 with the establishment of Australia's first political 'party', the Australian Patriotic Association, in NSW and ends with the granting of self-government to the ACT in 1989. The timeline is supported by a set of focus questions ...