Culture

This subtheme contains clips and stills from the My Place TV series, teaching activities and associated student activity sheets. These resources highlight aspects of accepted social observances, attitudes, speech and sport commonly associated with Australian communities.


  • The apology [Episode 1 | 2008 : Laura]

    3:15

    The apology [Episode 1 | 2008 : Laura]

    Laura and her family are at the community centre to listen to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s address to Indigenous people apologising for decades of government policy that allowed children to be stolen from their families. However, Laura is more concerned with the apology she needs to make to Michaelis.


    Ramadan [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    1:42

    Ramadan [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    Mohammed's family is moving into their new house, owned by Michaelis. It is nearing Ramadan and at mealtime the family is discussing whether Mohammed can participate this year.


    Discrimination [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    2:25

    Discrimination [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    Mohammed and Danielle are discussing the fact that she can't play on the boys' cricket team. While Mohammed and his family are moving into the new house, Michaelis and Omar discuss why playing cricket is more important than playing soccer, which leads to a play-off for the rent money.


    The ball of the century [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    2:20

    The ball of the century [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    Mohammed and his father discuss playing soccer, but Mohammed is not convinced he wants to take up the sport. His grandmother replays Shane Warne bowling a leg break to English batsman Mike Gatting during the 1993 Ashes series. They discuss the 'Magnus effect', which causes the ball to spin.


    First day [Episode 3 | 1988 : Lily]

    2:31

    First day [Episode 3 | 1988 : Lily]

    Lily is taking her cousin, Phoung, to her school with her for the first time. Lily and her friends believe that Phoung can't speak English and they discuss what it means to be Australian.


    The Bicentenary [Episode 3 | 1988 : Lily]

    2:06

    The Bicentenary [Episode 3 | 1988 : Lily]

    Lily and her friends are painting the school sign for the Bicentenary when she tells her cousin, Phoung, a false story about how convicts were treated in early Australia. Phoung repeats this story to the class as part of a report on the First Fleet.


    Conscription [Episode 5 | 1968 : Sofia]

    1:41

    Conscription [Episode 5 | 1968 : Sofia]

    Michaelis tells Sofia why he is going to the Vietnam War even though he doesn't want to go. They discuss what it may be like and his fears are evident.


    A Greek garden [Episode 6 | 1958 : Michaelis]

    1:37

    A Greek garden [Episode 6 | 1958 : Michaelis]

    Michaelis and his father are working in their garden when Janis reminds Michaelis that it is time for The Adventures of Robin Hood on TV. When his mother comes to congratulate her husband and son on their work in the garden, she realises that the baby is coming.


    The christening [Episode 6 | 1958 : Michaelis]

    2:48

    The christening [Episode 6 | 1958 : Michaelis]

    Michaelis's father and friends are celebrating the birth of the baby in a traditional Greek way. The boys next door, who had bullied Michaelis and called him a 'wog', apologise and pay him a penny to replace his lost ice-cream. Janice shows her affection for Michaelis.


    Holdens [Episode 7 | 1948 : Jen]

    2:48

    Holdens [Episode 7 | 1948 : Jen]

    Wal visits Jen's mother to take her to the pictures in his new FJ Holden. Jen is unaware of the affections between her mother and Wal. When Wal gives Jen's mother a kiss goodnight, Jen becomes suspicious.


    Courting [Episode 7 | 1948 : Jen]

    2:49

    Courting [Episode 7 | 1948 : Jen]

    Jen and her friends are fantasising about the attractiveness of movie stars and royalty and rating them between one and ten. The girls only rate Wal as a three or four, which makes Jen feel that her friends would not approve if she told them about her mother's affection for him. She realises the inevitable when she sees her mother's engagement ring.


    The dole inspector [Episode 8 | 1938 : Colum]

    3:00

    The dole inspector [Episode 8 | 1938 : Colum]

    The dole inspector is a feared authority in the neighbourhood where Colum and his family live. When the alarm is given that he is on his way, the families hide any evidence of making a living. The dole inspector could enter the homes of people receiving the dole and tell them to leave their house or sell their belongings.


    Punting [Episode 8 | 1938 : Colum]

    2:26

    Punting [Episode 8 | 1938 : Colum]

    Colum and Thommo are collecting bets from their neighbours on horses in the 1938 Melbourne Cup. They present these bets to Mr O'Sullivan, the local shopkeeper. Colum and Thommo hope to win big in order to save Thommo's family from eviction.


    Children's chores [Episode 9 | 1928 : Bridie]

    2:20

    Children's chores [Episode 9 | 1928 : Bridie]

    Bridie's family is having breakfast and discussing what they will do that day. Her father and brother are going to work at the brickworks, her mother will be cleaning floors for neighbours, and Bridie and her older sister Kath are expected to look after baby Colum and do chores around the house. Bridie spies on Kath and her friend Lorna as they plan to get away from their responsibilities and have a picnic by the river.


    The Funeral [Episode 9 | 1928 : Bridie]

    2:07

    The Funeral [Episode 9 | 1928 : Bridie]

    It is the day of Lorna's funeral and the procession to the cemetery is commencing. It is a tradition to celebrate the life of the deceased person by holding a 'wake'. During this sombre celebration, Bridie tries to console her sister with the help of Miss Miller.


    Chores and punishment [Episode 11 | 1908 : Evelyn]

    1:34

    Chores and punishment [Episode 11 | 1908 : Evelyn]

    Evelyn's brother Edward taunts her with the prospect that their father will punish her for being irresponsible about the fireworks. Evelyn needs to complete her chores by five o'clock. She is eventually saved by Miss Müller's generosity.


    1,000 good deeds [Episode 12 | 1898 : Rowley]

    3:00

    1,000 good deeds [Episode 12 | 1898 : Rowley]

    Rowley is working to complete his 1,000 good deeds so that his father will return to the family. He collects horse manure for the market gardeners and firewood for the laundress. He and his friend, Tom Müller, climb the tree to spy on the private school students who are practising to become soldiers.


     


    Founding the ALP [Episode 12 | 1898 : Rowley]

    2:08

    Founding the ALP [Episode 12 | 1898 : Rowley]

    Rowley and Tom Müller visit Mr Merry when he is convening a meeting of the newly formed Labor Party. They are discussing the development of a new brickworks and are concerned with protecting the rights, health and safety of workers. Rowley and his mother discuss Rowley's father and his employment at the brickworks.


    The Chinese dragon [Episode 14 | 1878 : Henry]

    The local population brings in the Chinese New Year with traditional celebrations. Henry and Franklin contribute to the proceedings by launching their lanterns.


    The Chinese house [Episode 15 | 1868 : Minna]

    2:53

    The Chinese house [Episode 15 | 1868 : Minna]

    Minna and her friend Adelaide visit Mr Wong's residence to give him some news about the change to a local law regarding Chinese migration. Mr Wong shows them a magic lantern that projects images of his family.


    Loves me, loves me not [Episode 17 | 1848 : Johanna]

    2:53

    Loves me, loves me not [Episode 17 | 1848 : Johanna]

    Johanna reads a letter from her uncle to her grandmother. She plays a practical joke on one of the Owen boys by putting a frog in his chamber-pot. Johanna and her grandmother visit the grave of her mother. Johanna asks about who her father was.


    Horsewhipping [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    2:15

    Horsewhipping [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    Mr Owen has Davey demonstrate whip cracking to his grandsons but then gives Davey some sad news about his favourite horse, Duchess. Despite Davey's protestations, Duchess is headed for the tannery.


    The bushranger [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    2:53

    The bushranger [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    While out walking Duchess, Davey and Alice witness a bushranger on the run from some local soldiers, and they misdirect the soldiers to ensure his swift escape. Davey is confronted by the Owen boys who tease him about the imminent fate of Duchess.


    The shooting [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    2:39

    The shooting [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    Davey is on the run with Duchess but has his preconceptions about bushrangers challenged when he witnesses them shooting Mr Owen and stealing from him.


    This little piggy [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    2:15

    This little piggy [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    Alice and her family are delivering food to the indentured convicts working at the stone quarry when they have the idea of organising a pig race for the half-day holiday.


    The bets [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    2:53

    The bets [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    Alice is training her piglet Wilhelmina for the pig race but is unable to convince any of the local workers to bet any money on her. Freddie the bookie is concerned at the thought of losing money as most of the locals have bet on Oink, the favourite.


    Pig forgery [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    2:39

    Pig forgery [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    Freddie tells Alice about his forging history while they paint a piglet black. They then switch it with George's piglet Benny in order to fix the race. When Alice awakes she's shocked to find there is something wrong with Wilhelmina.


    Fencing [Episode 20 | 1818 : Charles]

    2:15

    Fencing [Episode 20 | 1818 : Charles]

    Unlike his posh older brother John, Charles is enjoying building a fence on the farm. At the end of the fence line he encounters Liam, a convict who is on the run. Liam asks Charles to bring him some food and boots.


    A female gaol [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    2:53

    A female gaol [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    Sarah is punished after she introduces herself to some local Aboriginal people. After she accidentally breaks a plate while doing the dishes, Alice blackmails Sarah into taking her outside.


    Seashells [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    2:39

    Seashells [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    After their outdoor adventure, Sarah and Alice have a moment of companionship but it is quickly ruined when Alice exerts her power over Sarah's position.


    Oranges and lemons [Episode 22 | 1798 : Sam]

    2:39

    Oranges and lemons [Episode 22 | 1798 : Sam]

    Sam is out looking for the farm's goat when he hears someone humming the same notes as he is singing. Following the sounds, he is guided back to the farm, where the goat is waiting. After leaving out some milk to thank an Aboriginal boy for leading him to the goat, his bucket is returned.


    The encounter [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    2:15

    The encounter [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    Waruwi encounters a cow for the first time and is unsure what to make of it. After seeing some marines and a drummer boy, she returns home to Nana to tell her about the 'ghost people' and the cow.


    Little drummer boy [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    2:53

    Little drummer boy [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    Waruwi takes Dan's boots while he is in the water but does not find them to be very comfortable. Observing the camp of the marines, Waruwi is fascinated by one of their musical instruments.


    First contact [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    2:15

    First contact [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    Dan is ordered to capture Waruwi's dingo for the governor. He tries to warn Waruwi that the marines plan to take her dog but is unable to communicate his intentions in time. Waruwi attacks the camp with stones, putting the marines on a state of alert.


    Governor's orders [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    2:53

    Governor's orders [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    Dan tries to compensate Waruwi for the loss of her dingo by taking a number of items from around the camp and giving them to her. Dan drums out the marines as they march to the point.


    Cat-o'-nine-tails [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    2:39

    Cat-o'-nine-tails [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    Dan prepares to endure a flogging after disobeying orders and leaving his post. However, his punishment is abandoned after Waruwi appears with a puppy for the governor.


    Snakebite [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    2:15

    Snakebite [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    Bunda's father gives him and his brother advice on surviving a snakebite, and how to make a spear. Bunda and his brother constantly argue and compete with each other.


    Fishing [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    2:53

    Fishing [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    At the creek, Bunda's father tells him and his brother to catch a fish. Each uses a different method of fishing and Bunda's method of building a small dam proves to be the most successful. Their father is annoyed that they are not working together.


    Water [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    2:39

    Water [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    Bunda and his brother Garadi are competing with each other to find the best method of transporting water. Bunda constructs a raft to carry the water down the river, while his brother carries his water on foot. Bunda's father then tells his sons to bring him something that takes two to get.


    Dance-off [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    2:15

    Dance-off [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    Barangaroo and her friends are warned not to go near Mumuga country, and they discuss the nature of the Mumuga. To cheer up Mung they decide to host a cook-up. Barangaroo and Mani have a dance-off  to see who is the most worthy to carry the spear.


    Yabbies [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    2:53

    Yabbies [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    Barangaroo and Mung collect yabbies for the cook-off. When Barangaroo returns to the camp she finds that Mung has gone missing in Mumuga country, so she and her friends go searching for him.


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