Year 10: Rights and Freedoms ( present) An elective depth study as part of ‘The Modern World and Australia’

The Modern World and Australia The Year 10 curriculum provides a study of the history of the modern world and Australia from 1918 to the present, with an emphasis on Australia in its global context. The twentieth century became a critical period in Australia’s social, cultural, economic and political development. The transformation of the modern world during a time of political turmoil provides a necessary context for understanding Australia’s development, its place within the Asia-Pacific region, and its global standing.

1. The origins and significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the declaration – The Four Freedoms Watch: Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Four Freedoms

Other resources: Australian Human Rights Commission (formerly HREOC) United Nations

2. Background to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for rights and freedoms before 1965, including the 1938 Day of Mourning and the Stolen Generations

Coranderrk The fight for Coranderrk was one of the first political struggles for Aboriginal people in Victoria. Watch: Episode 3 of the SBS series ‘First Australians’ – Freedom for our Lifetime. pid/3

William Cooper William Cooper was a prominent Victorian Aboriginal activist who was a founding member of the Aborigines Advancement League, and helped coordinate the 1938 Day of Mourning. He also led the only known public protest against Khristallnacht. Watch a news clip about William Cooper:

Other resources Day of Mourning Stolen Generations

3. The US Civil Rights movement and its influence on Australia: 1961 US Freedom Rides The US Civil Rights movement was a major influence in the struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and freedoms in Australia. In particular, the Freedoms Rides were of great inspiration. Watch a trailer for a documentary about the US Freedom Rides:

1965 Freedom Ride 01/19/ htm

Bain Attwood

4. The significance of the following for the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: 1962 Right to Vote

1967 Referendum

Faith Bandler Faith Bandler was a prominent Aboriginal woman who worked to ensure the success of the 1967 Referendum. Here she explains the importance of the changes for Aboriginal people:

Mabo Decision

Eddie Mabo: First Australians Episode 7 of the First Australians looks at the case of Eddie Mabo. Click here to watch: pid/7

Bringing Them Home Report

The Apology Kevin Rudd’s Apology to the Stolen Generations was of great significance in terms of reconciliation.

5. Methods used by civil rights activists to achieve change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the role of ONE individual or group in the struggle

Gary Foley and Black Power Gary Foley was an active member of the 1970’s Redfern Black Power movement. Below is a trailer from a show he performed with Ilbiderri Theatre:

Tent Embassy

The 1972 Tent Embassy is a great example of Indigenous activism. A documentary was made on the tent embassy, and is available on Youtube:

Other Resources Gary Foley History website Charles Perkins National Museum

6. The continuing nature of efforts to secure rights and freedoms in Australia and throughout the world, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Keating’s Redfern Speech Paul Keating’s 1992 Redfern Speech, on the even of the Year of the World’s Indigenous People’s, was one of the first speeches by an Australian Prime Minister that directly acknowledged the immense harm caused by past government policies on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Amnesty International action/protect-indigenous-rights-brazil

Rights and Freedoms Resource 0//t/shop/title/Rights+and+Freedoms For more information please contact HTAV or Alister McKeich