Aboriginal History
Name one way Aboriginal people were affected when European settlers arrived.
They were dispossessed of their land, exposed to new diseases, or their culture was ignored/undermined
What does the phrase “Terra Nullius” mean in the poem?
Land belonging to no one / empty land
Finish the line:
“Old pinaroo lonely and lost here
Last of your ________.”
clan
What is a protest?
An action or demonstration to show disagreement or demand change
“Why would anyone want to hurt the innocent?”
Which technique is used here
Rhetorical question
What was the significance of the Mabo decision (1992)?
It overturned Terra Nullius and recognised Aboriginal people’s land rights in Australian law
“And then the white man came and stayed, and lived their meagre history,
Not recognising those before, whose origin is ________.”
mystery
Where is Willie Mackenzie now?
In the Salvation Army Home
Name one common form of protest.
March, strike, boycott, petition, sit-in, demonstration
What is tone, and how can writers show it?
The attitude or feeling of the text; shown through word choice, sentence length, punctuation, and imagery
What were corroborees used for in Aboriginal culture?
Ceremonial gatherings for storytelling, songs, dance, and teaching culture
What technique is used in “heart and soul… bound in rock and earth and sand,” and what does it show?
Metaphor — it shows the deep spiritual connection Aboriginal people have to the land
“You twice in fierce tribal fights
With wild enemy blacks from ________.”
over the river
Why do people protest?
To bring attention to unfair treatment, laws, policies, or social issues and push for change
“Death lay waiting in the shadow of the alley, silent and patient.”
Personification
Explain how Aboriginal people’s connection to land is different from European ideas of land ownership.
For Aboriginal people, land is part of their identity, culture, and spirituality, not just property to own. It is sacred and connected to their Dreaming stories and ancestors.
What two changes happens at the end of the poem?
A court decision says Terra Nullius is wrong and recognises Aboriginal land rights
What is the significance of the line “Displaced person in your own country, / Lonely in teeming city crowds”?
It shows the injustice of colonisation: Willie is isolated and alienated even among other people, highlighting the loss of land, community, and belonging.
What is another name used by protesters for Australia Day?
Invasion Day
Why might a writer use a rhetorical question, and what effect does it have on the audience?
It encourages the audience to think, emphasises a point, and can persuade or create tension without directly stating the answer
What is native title in Australian law?
The legal recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have rights to land and water according to their traditional laws and customs
What is the significance of the court’s decision in the poem, and how does it contrast with earlier events?
The court overturns the idea of Terra Nullius, recognising Aboriginal land rights after 200 years of injustice, contrasting with the earlier dispossession and ignoring of Aboriginal people.
How does the poet show the connection between Willie Mackenzie and his culture? Use evidence from the poem.
Through lines like “You singer of ancient tribal songs” and “You enact old scenes, old ways,” the poet shows that his identity and memory are strongly tied to his cultural traditions and past life.
Explain the connection between protest and democracy.
Protests allow people to express opinions and influence government, which is an important part of democratic rights
How does juxtaposition enhance meaning in writing or poetry?
By placing contrasting ideas close together, it highlights differences, creates tension, irony, or emphasises a theme