Learning Outcomes

HS3-DEM-01: Describes the origins and features of Australia's democratic system of government and laws

HS3-CWT-01: creates written texts to communicate ideas and understanding about people, places and events of the past and the present

Lesson 1: Who is Gough Whitlam?

Students are to build a fact file and explain why Whitlam is remembered

1) Before watching the following video, discuss the importance of:

  • What's the is a Prime Minister? 
  • What responsibilities do they have?
  • What makes a Prime Minister historically significant? 

2) Hand out the worksheets for the students to fill out while watching the video

3) Watch the following video: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/australia-s-prime-ministers/series/0/video/ZX6423A021S00 

Video:

Exit

4) At the end of this activity students are to complete the following sentences to evaluate their understanding of this activity:

Gough Whitlam is remembered because…
One important change introduced during his government was…
This was significant because…

Lesson 2: Changes That Made a Difference

1) Explain that Whitlam's government introduced changes across many areas of Australian life, including education, healthcare, Indigenous affairs, social services and the arts

2) As a class discuss the following questions: 

  • What do you think these changes were trying to achieve?

  • Who might have benefited from these reforms?

  • How might these changes have affected everyday Australians?

3) Distribute the worksheets for the students to complete independently 

4)In their exercise books, students are to write 3 questions to ask on the visit to the Whitlam Institute

Exit

5) Bring students together to discuss their worksheet responses.

Invite students to share one reform they found particularly interesting and explain why it was significant.

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