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Digital Classroom

Explore Australia's history at the National Library's Digital Classroom, aligned with the Australian Curriculum. With over 10 million items, we support diverse learning styles, fostering inquiry-based learning for students to analyse sources and draw conclusions about the Australian story.
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A detailed drawing of various hunting implements and weapons. The illustration includes spears, shields, boomerangs, clubs, and other tools, arranged in a grid-like pattern on a plain background. Each item is depicted with precise lines and shading, with some labelled using letters A and B.

Port Jackson Painter, Aboriginal hunting implements and weapons, 1790, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135230406

Changing technology

Topic 

Explore how food production and gathering methods have evolved over time, using artworks and photographs from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Science and technology
A painting of a busy 19th-century Bourke Street, Melbourne, with horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians, and shops lining the street. Crowds gather on both sides, and a variety of people are depicted walking or riding.

Tom Roberts, Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1886, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134285521

Changing streetscapes

Topic 

Discover how streetscapes have evolved over time by comparing depictions of Bourke St, Melbourne over time to foster student discussions about urban change and its impact on daily life.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
A black-and-white portrait of an older man with a weathered face and a beard, wearing a turban and a white shirt. He stands outdoors, with blurred trees in the background.

Robin Smith, Old Afghan camel drover Saidah Saidel, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 1966, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-146607205

Diverse communities

Topic 

Explore how diverse communities have shaped modern Australian life through historical photographs from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Migration and immigration
A colourful illustration featuring a group of anthropomorphic koalas dressed in clothes, along with other animals like rabbits and birds, gathered in a grassy area. A caption reads, "What shall I name this young bear?"

Dorothy Wall, Blinky Bill: The Quaint Little Australian, 1933, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-943876

Symbols in children's literature

Topic 

For students to explore the depiction, representation and meaning of Australian symbols through beloved stories like Blinky Bill and Possum Magic.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Literature and writing
Detailed botanical illustration of a vibrant red waratah flower with long, green leaves on a white background.

George Raper, Wa-ra-ta [waratah (Telopea speciosissima)], 1788, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-150069197

Australian emblems and official symbols

Topic 

Learn about Australia’s national emblems and official symbols, and the emblems of your state or territory using images and objects from our collection.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
Geography
Literature and writing
A streetscape of Bourke street, Melbourne.

Tom Roberts, Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1885, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134285521

Time and place

Module

Explore how communities evolve over time, how different cultures influence and contribute to communities, and how symbols convey meaning.

Humanities
Year 3
Australian history
A group of women marches down a city street, holding various protest signs. Signs include messages like "Sexism is alive & living in Australia" and "Dress for comfort, not for style." A large sculpture is visible in the background.

John McKinnon & Australian Information Service, Women on the march wave their placards at the International Women's Day march, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137045864

Feminism in Australia

Module

Explore the evolution of women's rights in Australia from women's suffrage to contemporary movements like #MeToo in this learning module. 

 

Humanities
Senior Secondary
Australian history
Australian women
Democracy
Protest and dissent
An aerial view of a large street procession with participants dressed in white, marching in rows and carrying banners. The crowded scene is framed by towering buildings on one side and tree-lined streets on the other. Spectators line the sidewalks, watching the organised march as cars and horse-drawn carriages are scattered among the crowd.

Bessie Mabel Rischbieth, Photographs of suffrage demonstrations and campaigning activities, 1900 - 1967, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-439976984

Women's suffrage

Topic

Learn about the history, struggles and triumphs of women in their fight for the right to vote. Reflect on how women's suffrage movement shaped democratic societies and influences political advocacy today.

Humanities
Senior Secondary
Australian history
Australian women
Democracy
Government and politics
Law and legislation
Protest and dissent
A colour photograph of Anne Summers. Anne has shoulder length blonde hair and wears a red outfit and a large round necklace, standing against a red curtain background.

Craig Mackenzie, Portrait of Anne Summers at the National Library of Australia, 2013, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-132320638

Modern legacies in Australian feminism

Topic

Explore the evolution of feminist movements in contemporary Australia. Consider the impact and progress made, and challenges that remain in achieving gender equality through analysis of key feminist movements, figures and topics.

Humanities
Senior Secondary
Australian history
Australian women
A black-and-white photograph of a woman standing against a wall covered in posters. She is smiling and holding a folded newspaper in her arms, casually dressed with loose hair. The posters in the background are partially torn and feature bold text and graphics.

Brendan Hennessy, Germaine Greer holding newspapers, 1988, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149859225

Second wave feminism and 20th century social change

Topic

Explore how Second Wave feminism and social changes in the 20th century reshaped women’s rights, roles, and aspirations in society.

Humanities
Senior Secondary
Australian history
Australian women
Democracy
Government and politics
Law and legislation
Protest and dissent
A black-and-white photograph of Jessie Street seated at a desk representing Australia at a United Nations conference. She is wearing a white shirt and suit jacket and is writing, with other women visible beside her.

Jessie Street representing Australia at the United Nations, 194- , nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231551090

Prominent women in Australia’s feminist movement

Topic

Explore the contributions of key Australian feminists who shaped the fight for women's rights and reflect on their lasting impact on feminism today.

Humanities
Senior Secondary
Australian history
Australian women
Democracy
Government and politics
Law and legislation
Protest and dissent
A collage of black-and-white photographs showing different items and types of clothing worn by members of the Australian Women's Land Army, including socks, gloves, boots, shirts, overalls, frocks, coats, and hats.

Australia. Department of Supply and Shipping, The uniform dress, Australian Women's Land Army, 1943, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-14120362

War as a catalyst for change

Topic

Examine the evolving roles women took on during the First and Second World Wars and how they impacted on women's labours, gender expectations and women's rights in Australia.

Humanities
Senior Secondary
Australian history
Australian women
Democracy
Government and politics
Law and legislation
Protest and dissent

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