Local Aboriginal Studies

Aboriginal history and culture talk

The students are introduced to a variety of foods and resources from the Australian bush, of which many are used today in contemporary food preparation. The talk will also discuss bush resources with a focus on how Aboriginal People made weapons and tools using natural materials.

At West Head, this will be presented by Uncle Laurie Bimson, Guringai man and descendant of Bungaree, leader of the Guringai tribe at the time of European arrival.

Bush resource walk

The bushwalk also provides the students with an opportunity to discover some of the traditional foods and other resources that are found in the area. This includes plants and other natural materials that provide tools, medicine and food to the local Aboriginal Peoples. Students will hear of the interconnected nature of traditional Aboriginal people and the land.

Cultural sites visit

The students will visit and learn about important cultural and historical sites, including an Aboriginal engraving site to understand its importance and how it can provide an insight into the traditional lives of the Aboriginal Peoples of this area. Students will also have an opportunity to consider how we can can care for sites like this in our local areas.

Shelter building

After learning how Aboriginal people made shelters, the students will work in groups to make mini-shelters using natural materials that have been collected in the bush.

Once completed, the students will have an opportunity to visit the shelters of other groups and discuss what designs and materials that they thought worked the best.

NOTE: Variations to timetable based on specific location

Download the program flyer

Geography K-10 Syllabus 

Outcomes

A student:

> examines features and characteristics of places and environments GE2-1

> describes the ways people, places and environments interact GE2-2

> examines differing perceptions about the management of places and environments GE2-3

Content

Perception of environments

Students:

• investigate the ways people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, value environments, for example:  (ACHGK022, ACHGK023, ACHGK024)  

History K-10 Syllabus 

Outcomes

A student:

> describes and explains effects of British colonisations in Australia HT2-4

> applies skills of historical inquiry and communication HT2-5

Content

First Contacts

The diversity and longevity of Australia's first peoples and the ways Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are connected to Country and Place (laand, sea, waterways and skies) and the implications for their daily lives (ACHHK077)

Students:

• identify the original inhabitants of Australia and create a timeline indicating their longevity in Australia of more than 50,000 years 
• investigate, drawing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives (where possible) and other sources, the traditional Aboriginal way of life, focusing on people, their beliefs, food, shelter, tools and weapons, customs and ceremonies, art works, dance, music, and relationship to Country 

Community and Remembrance

The importance of Country and Place to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who belong to a local area….(ACHHK060)

Students:

• identify the original languages spoken in the local and regional area

• identify the special relationship that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to Country and Place

• respond to Aborigional stories told about Country presented in texts or by a guest presenter

Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

History K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2012