Early Colonisation
Who was the first Governor of Australia?
Arthur Phillip
What is a primary resource?
An artefact or source that comes directly from the time period being studied e.g. diary entries, fossils etc.
What was the main reason for Aboriginal deaths when the British first came to Australia?
Diseases
What was Tasmania Originally named?
Van Dieman's Land
List three places where you may hear an acknowledgment of country
Assemblies, award presentations, concerts, sporting matches etc.
In what year did Captain James Cook make his first voyage to Australia?
1778
What does “Terra Nullius” mean?
Land that is legally deemed to be unoccupied or uninhabited. It comes from the Latin expression meaning "nobody's land"
List 2 other reasons for Aboriginal deaths
Massacres & destruction of resources (e.g. loss of food and contamination of water)
Name 2 government policies that were used by the Australian government to control Aboriginal people
Protection Policy
Assimilation Policy
Which Aboriginal clan/nation does the land that Windsor & Richmond High School is built on belong too?
Dharug people.
What was the name of Captain Cook's Ship used to make the voyage to Australia?
HMS Endeavor
Explain how history can be biased.
History can be biased as there are many sides/perspectives to historical events. People who record history often only record their own experiences and perspectives so it is important to look at many resources when studying history.
List 3 diseases the British brought to Australia.
Small pox, typhoid, influenza
When did the frontier wars start?
1788
What is the Totem animal of the Dharug People?
The Warali Wali (‘possum’ in Darug language)
What is the name for the people who came to Australia during the time of colonisation who were NOT prisoners?
Free settlers
Explain how early British explorers diaries contradicted their reports to England.
Early British Explorers diaries stated that Aboriginals had in fact established a civilized society and had many organised knowledge systems in place. They stated they had farming practices and diverse shelters. In their reports, they stated that there was no civilization and that few Indigenous people living in Australia were savages.
List 3 impacts colonisation had on Indigenous Australians
Disease/death, dispossession, loss of culture, loss of language etc.
How many First Nations languages are currently spoken in Australia?
More than 250 with around 800 dialects.
Explain the difference between Acknowledgment of country/welcome to country
An acknowledgment of country is done to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay respects to the elders, past, present and future. It is generally done at the start of assemblies or special events. An acknowledgment of country can be done by non-Aboriginal people.
A welcome to country is a traditional ceremony done by Aboriginal people to welcome you to their country/land. They may vary depending on what nation/clan they are from. A welcome to country cannot be done by a non-Aboriginal person.
Why did the British colonise Australia?
Due to the industrial revolution, British cities were overcrowded and there was a lack of jobs. As a result, crime rates increased and prisons became overcrowded. The British government knew there was land where Australia was and wanted to set up a penal colony there. They also wanted to gain an important base for trading ships in the Pacific Ocean.
Under what circumstances did the British Government tell Captain Cook he was allowed to claim the land (Australia) for Britain?
If the land was uninhabited OR they opened up a dialogue with the Indigenous people living there and gain their permission.
Explain WHY Aboriginal culture and history have been lost since colonisation/loss of their population.
Aboriginal people pass down their knowledge and history through stories and ceremonies rather than writing it down. As many clans and nations were wiped out, there is no way to pass down their history, culture, and knowledge. Unfortunately, there is little record of many Aboriginal histories and a significant amount of Aboriginal culture has been lost.
List 3 reasons why the British wanted to colonise Australia.
To ensure they had claimed all of Australia, to ensure the French did not claim it & to access the resources including timber, seals, and whales.
Explain the relationship between Aboriginal people and their country/land.
Aboriginal people have a strong spiritual connection to their country and the land. They do not believe they own the land and have a profound respect for the environment. Their relationship with their country is sustained through strong respect and cultural knowledge of the land.