Primary Catalogue

Each year at 11am on November 11 we remember those who died in World War I, and commemorate those who represent Australia in conflicts past and present. This Miniclip provides a simplified context for the beginning of the Great War, the signing of the Armistice, the effect of the war on people, and the importance of commemorating it each year. Students will also discover the significance of the red poppy, who the ANZACs were, and the role of cenotaphs in local communities. Show Less

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration full of fun and festivities. But what exactly is the purpose of NAIDOC Week? And what is the history behind it? This Miniclip explores the events that led up to the formation of NAIDOC, how the Day of Mourning transformed from a protest march to a celebration, and how NAIDOC Week recognises the contributions of Indigenous Australians! This is a fantastic resource to introduce your young students to the historical and cultural importance of celebrating NAIDOC Week in the Australian community. Show Less

Harmony Day is a wonderful celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity, held every year on March 21. This Miniclip provides your students with an overview of the purpose of Harmony Day, what happens on the day, and how everyone can support it by wearing orange and treating each other with respect. This is a fantastic resource to prepare for your school’s Harmony Day festivities, and to remind your students to celebrate the diversity in your classroom and beyond. Show Less

You wouldn’t catch a plane to get to school, nor would you ride your bicycle to get to your tropical island holiday! So what makes a mode of transport suitable? Why do we use certain modes for certain activities? And how has transport changed over time? In this animated Miniclip, discover how technology has helped us to travel further and faster; and see how land, air and water transports have enabled us to connect with the rest of the world. Show Less

The last century has seen communication change rapidly due to developments in technology. Today, we can connect to each other faster than ever before and share our ideas in the blink of an eye! This Miniclip looks at how communication has changed over time, how technology has brought us closer together, as well as the different methods of communication available to us today. Why do we use them? How do they allow us to communicate? Find out in this fun, animated Miniclip! Show Less

Families come in all shapes and sizes! You might come from a nuclear family or an extended family, you may have same-sex parents, or you may be adopted. Whichever type of family you come from, family structures and roles have no doubt diversified throughout history. In this Miniclip, see a wide range of family structures and sizes, and look at how family roles have changed in the last 50 years. Show Less

This short clip provides an overview of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, including the symbolism of the shapes and colours used in each. This clip is complementary to the 'Australian Celebrations and Commemorations: National Sorry Day' Miniclip. Show Less

One of Australia’s biggest failures in history is rooted in the significant mistreatment of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. This Miniclip uses European settlement and the Stolen Generation to highlight this issue, and discusses the purpose of National Sorry Day. This clip also provides an overview of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Show Less

Discover why we commemorate Anzac Day, who the ANZACs were, and the important symbols and emblems of the day in this Miniclip. The significance of flowers, a brief history of Gallipoli and the role of flags are all highlighted in this clip, providing your students with a fantastic introduction into one of our most important days. Show Less

The ancient world - from 60,000 BCE to 650 CE – is the period in which early civilisations emerged. This programme provides an introductory snapshot of eight of these civilisations, looking at what they had in common and how they were unique. We trace the rise, fall and legacy of the ancient societies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Maya, India, China, Rome, Greece and Persia. Show Less

Work! Punishment! Prison! What was it like to be a convict in Australia’s early penal colonies? Listen to the story of a convict from Moreton Bay as he describes why penal colonies were established; and learn about the harsh life convicts had. Students will learn through this easy to follow story accompanied by many primary sources from the era of Australian colonisation. It is accompanied by a detailed teacher pack that offers a variety of resources and extension activities to stimulate students’ interest and learning. Show Less

Ancient Egypt rose to dominate the Middle East for thousands of years because of its natural resources, political unity and military strength. Egyptians conducted trade with people in Africa, the Mediterranean and across the Red Sea. But there were also conflicts with neighbours. Two key military campaigns - the Battle of Megiddo and the Battle of Kadesh - led by Thutmose III and Ramesses II are vividly explored in this programme. Show Less

This programme explores the captivating civilisation of Ancient Egypt, with a focus on the critical importance of the country's geography. Find out how the Nile River and its resources sustained daily life, enhanced the Pharaoh’s power, led to the development of writing and provided a vital transport and communications link which unified the nation for thousands of years. Show Less

The world’s major religions and philosophies have their origins in ancient civilisations – and while much has changed since then, countless millions of people through history have maintained a faith and belief in religious principles and teachings that have remained unchanged for millennia. This charming programme on the origins, sacred texts and beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam is an ideal introduction to the topic. Show Less

Supported by archival footage and historian interviews, this clip identifies values and attitudes in the past about race. At the time of colonisation, white Europeans saw themselves as a superior race and Aboriginal Australians as an inferior race. This perspective influenced ideas like terra nullius and subsequent policies that affected the treatment of Aboriginal groups during this time period. Show Less

What do we know about Aboriginal Australians prior to European contact? Historians have used evidence and artefacts to develop a number of theories about when and how Aboriginals migrated to Australia. In contrast, Aboriginal groups have a shared belief system of the Dreamtime, which explains their origins. This clip explores these different perspectives. Show Less

Archival film footage is used to tell the story of gold discovery in Australia, from early reports and government resistance to the first official find of payable gold by Hargraves, Lister, and the Tom brothers. Trace the impact of gold rush fever from its beginnings in the 1850s when people flocked to the Australian gold fields to make their easy fortune. But it wasn't as easy as many expected. Back breaking work, few rights and high taxes eventually led to digger riots and violence. Anti Chinese attitudes led to the Lambing Flat riots in the 1860s. From the 1870s, expansion across Australia occurred and with it the development of new towns, businesses and the railway. Show Less

Over a hundred years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to Australian sport are chronologically presented in this short program. This includes the achievements of the 1867 cricket team, Doug Nicholls (runner, boxer), Charles Perkins (soccer), Lionel Rose (boxer), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (tennis), Cathy Freeman (sprinter), Marcia Ella (netball) and Anthony Mundine (boxer, NRL). Show Less

Historian Carla Pascoe explores the unique relationship that Aboriginal Australians have with the land. Their strong spiritual ties to the land can be seen in various sacred places such as Uluru, Arnhem Land, initiation and burial sites. Their relationship with the land was one of mutual dependence, evidenced by their sustainable conservation practices that we still see in use today. Show Less

What does culture mean to Indigenous people? Aboriginal artists share the importance of song, dance, music and art as expressions of their culture. All of these forms vary depending on the region, language and cultural groups they come from; but what ties them together is the fundamental importance of storytelling. Show Less

The HNN (History News Network) team takes a closer look at Australian immigration policies after World War II. They uncover why assimilation policies of the 1950s failed and were replaced with integration policies in the 1960s and multiculturalism policies in the 1970s. The Snowy Mountains Scheme is highlighted. Show Less

From the early 1900's Australian state and federal governments imposed a number of assimilation policies on Aboriginal groups. This clip provides an overview of the heavily restrictive mission and reserves system, the 'dog tag system' and the policy of removing children from their homes and communities. Archival footage and interviews with historians and community leaders reveal the harsh and unfair treatment that resulted from these policies. Show Less

Filmed on location at Old Sydney Town, complete with period costumes and re-enactments, our narrator tours us through key streets and buildings, sharing anecdotes and building methods along the way. We look at: Government House, Rocks Row, the Bonded Store, the Dockyards, military barracks and Dawes Point observatory. Show Less

Daily life and experiences of colonial women are explored through stories and still images from the time period. Attitudes towards women and their roles in society made life and opportunities difficult, but some women were able to achieve great success including Mary Reibey, Elizabeth Macarthur, Caroline Chisholm, and Bridget Hyde. Show Less