OSC – Advance Australia

Themes to Cover

• United Nations Organisation
• South- East Asia Treaty
• Australian, New Zealand & United States Pact
• Immigration Policy changes. 1945-1964 2 million New Australians, from European countries
• New manufacturing industries
• Agriculture, grazing & mining continue to be important. Wool & wheat are biggest exports
• Search for oil
• Snowy Mountains scheme, hydro-electricity
• Dam on the Ord River WA
• Mining developments

Teacher’s Notes

A Different Boy- Paul Jennings

• Allen & Unwin

A Different Dog – Paul Jennings

• Pegi Williams

A Different Land- Paul Jennings

• Booktopia

My Australian Story: Snowy – Siobhan McHugh

• ABC
• Mrs Williams

Ten Pound Pom – Carole Wilkinson

• Carole Wilkinson
• Lamont Books

Teresa: A New Australian – Deborah Abela

• Deborah Abela

History Activities

• Why do you think the White Australia Policy was created? What are your thoughts about it? The White Australia Policy ended in 1982, but what consequences or effects do you think the policy still has on Australia today?
• Research about The £10 Migration Scheme.  Do you know someone or have a family member who was part of the The £10 Migration Scheme?
• What is the Snowy Mountains Scheme? What was the purpose of the Snowy Mountains Scheme?  What were some concerns people had about the scheme? In what year did construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme begin? How long did it take to complete? Who was involved in the construction? Why were migrants brought in to work on the scheme? What were conditions like for the workers and their families? What impact has the scheme had on Australia?
• After the War 2 million immigrants came  from Europe. Select one of these countries and research it at the time after WW2 : Where it is Located, What countries is it near, What languages are spoken there, what were its main industries, what was its population, how large was is, what are some of the traditional foods, where did it get its food supplies from, and what was grown there, what is it’s climate like and how many left after WW2?
• After the Second World War, much of Europe was devastated, and hundreds of thousands of people had been left homeless and starving. Many people thought that there was no hope for a better life if they stayed, so they applied to emigrate to Australia. Research European emigration to Australia in the years immediately after the Second World War. Choose one European nation to focus on in your research, and prepare a report, consider:
  – How had the nation you are researching been affected by the Second World War?
  – What were the conditions like for the everyday people in Europe immediately after the war?
  – How many people from your chosen country or area came to Australia in the decade after the Second World War?
  – Where did the immigrants settle when they arrived here?
  – What challenges did the new arrivals face both on their journey, and once they had arrived?
  – What provisions did the Australian government have to assist European postwar immigrants?
  – What communities in Australia today still show the influence of the large numbers of postwar immigrants, and in what way do they show this?
  – What skills, foods, and cultural practices did the immigrants bring with them?
• Research online about the ships that brought the European postwar immigrants to Australia. Including what they looked like, how large they were, how they were powered, and how fast they travelled?

Language Arts Activities

• As a migrant worker/child/wife in the Snowy Mountains Scheme, write a postcard to a family member back in Europe explaining your experiences (including what you’re doing, the living conditions and how you  feel). Include photographs, drawings and or maps to decorate the front of the postcard.
• Or write a journal entry describing what the working and living conditions were like. Include why you moved from Europe and what is your job on the scheme. How you feel about living in a different country and what are some of the challenges.
• Write a letter to a family member from the perspective of a recently arrived immigrant in Australia today. Describe your local area, the people, and the amenities from the point of view of someone who has never been there before. If you have lived there all your life it will take a lot more effort to think about what is interesting and worth writing about than if you have moved there more recently!
  research Sydney from 1945 to 1955, and create a then and now display of facts and pictures.

Geography Activities

On a world map mark:

• The countries in Europe the majority of migrants came from

Hands On Activities

• Cook a traditional European meal

Online Resources