History / Year 9 / Historical Knowledge and Understanding

• TLF-IDM025777

The Australian Constitution is the legal framework for how Australia is governed. This article explores in detail the history of the Constitution, its key features and the High Court’s role in interpreting it. The page describes processes for amending the Constitution including through referendum as well as two case studies ...

• TLF-IDM025387

Annabel Crabb explains the interesting traditions that the Parliament of Australia has borrowed from the parliament of Westminster in the United Kingdom. Who is Black Rod, and what is a serjeant-at-arms? What is the Mace, and why is a hood placed over it when entering the presence of the Governor-General? And why would ...

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This interactive timeline explores key milestones in the history of Australia's Parliament that led to federation and how the work of Parliament has influenced Australian democratic development since 1901. The timeline allows users to explore the milestones chronologically or follow thematic trails. Selected milestones ...

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Browse the complete text of the Australian Constitution with this easy-to use website. It includes a detailed overview by the Australian Government Solicitor and a 2:26 min video snapshot about the Constitution and its role in the governance of the Australian nation.

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This is a teaching and learning strategy about two Australian constitutional conventions; the first held in 1891 and the second in 1998. The 1891 National Australasian Convention is examined through a 'mystery photograph' of delegates. The 1998 convention to consider an Australian republic is examined through three research ...

• TLF-IDM009611

This is an extended unit of work about enfranchisement and parliamentary representation. Intended for lower secondary students, the unit focuses on three aspects: the struggle of women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to gain the vote, their continuing under-representation in Australian parliaments, and ...

• TLF-IDM015874

What role did Henry Parkes play in the federation of Australia? Listen to a re-enactment of Sir Henry Parkes's famous 1889 speech in Tenterfield, known as the Tenterfield Oration. Note in particular the arguments Parkes used to gain political support.

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This is a resource about the Magna Carta (Great Charter) agreed between King John and his rebellious barons in 1215 and its influence on the development of human rights and democratic freedoms to the present day. The resource consists of: an animated infographic ‘Tell the story’ with hyperlinks to further information; an ...

• TLF-IDM019450

This is a website about the women’s suffrage movement in Victoria in the 19th and 20th century. The resource is presented in three sections: Introductory information; Story Objects; and Story Education Resources. There are 17 Story Objects that tell the stories of how Victorian women won the right to vote, key participants ...

• TLF-IDM006466

This is a black-and-white photograph of Edmund Barton which introduces a range of online materials about his life and various roles as a politician, advocate for federation and High Court justice. The photograph was taken during his term as Australia's first prime minister. He is wearing a waistcoat and suit and is facing ...