Australian History Courses
Discover Australian history from the First Nations peoples to the modern nation we know today. Learn about early explorers, settlers, and bushrangers; the impact of gold, wool, and minerals; and the role of ANZACs in shaping identity. Explore the turning points of Australia’s history through the lives of prime ministers, inventors, and artists.
Available Classes
The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government
<p>Fifty years ago Governor-General Sir John Kerr removed the elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam from office and installed the opposition leader Malcolm Fraser as interim Prime Minister. The
...Available Classes
Founding Fathers of Federation
<p>To honour 125 years since Australia became a nation let’s investigate the people who made it happen, how it all evolved, and whether the process was a success. Among the issues that needed to be
...Available Classes
The Australian Constitution - It's Worth Talking About
<p><em>"Britain has no written constitution - the Americans are obsessed with theirs"</em>. The Australian Constitution fundamentally shapes our government and politics and hence has an impact on all
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Available Classes
Examining Writings about Australian's experiences of WWI and WWII
<p>In this course we examine Australian poetry and novels of WWI and WWII, such as A.B. Facey’s A Fortunate Life, T.A.G Hungerford's The Ridge and the River, and Dymphna Cusack and Florence James's
...Available Classes
How Trade Unions Shaped Australia
<p>Trade unions probably affect you each and every day, without you realising how. (Hint what is WEA's connection to trade unions?) Join guest presenter Lynne Poleson, former NSW Branch Secretary of
...How Trade Unions Shaped Australia
<p>Trade unions probably affect you each and every day, without you realising how. (Hint what is WEA's connection to trade unions?) Join guest presenter Lynne Poleson, former NSW Branch Secretary of
...Available Classes
Australia's Convict World Heritage Sites
<p>A well illustrated introduction to the 11 components sited within the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property: 4 in NSW, 5 in Tasmania, 1 in WA, and Norfolk Island. A possible additional
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New Holland - Dutch Maritime Explorers of Terra Australis
<p>During the Dutch Golden Age, explorers were after the spices from the East Indies. In March 1606, under the command of Willem Janszoon, the Duyfken, a 60-tonne vessel sailed from Banda (now in
...Available Classes
Historic Hawkesbury River Towns
<p>The Aboriginal name for the river was published as Deerubbun in 1870. The two main Aboriginal tribes inhabiting the area were the Wannungine of the coastal area on the lower reaches (below Mangrove
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The Power of an Apology - The Apology to Stolen Generations
<p>On February 13, 2008 then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a national apology to the Stolen Generations of the First Nations. Revisit that moment in Australian history. What is the history of the
...The Power of an Apology - The Apology to Stolen Generations
<p>On February 13, 2008 then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a national apology to the Stolen Generations of the First Nations. Revisit that moment in Australian history. What is the history of the
...Available Classes
War in the Pacific: Australia's Crisis of 1942
<p>In this course we look at how the Australian government responded to the crisis of war in the Pacific in 1942. We examine the fall of Singapore to Japanese forces, the bombing of Darwin, the battle
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War in the Pacific: Australia's Crisis of 1942
<p>In this course we look at how the Australian government responded to the crisis of war in the Pacific in 1942. We examine the fall of Singapore to Japanese forces, the bombing of Darwin, the battle
...