P (part 3): Politics, the Queen and Poles

We still have a couple "P" topics to finish from previous class.

1. We're going to start with the POLITICAL SYSTEM.

Australia is a Federation as you know, but it is also a parliamentary democracy as well as a constitutional monarchy. Wait, what? Let's watch the videos below to better understand how the system works.

A short but comprehensive guide to the system can be found here: political system
























2. As you can see The Queen of England is a part of the Australian political system. Click on the link to read how much (or little) power she really has in this country, and when her birthday is celebrated.

3. Finally read this cute comic to learn about the PREFERENTIAL VOTING SYSTEM. It provides an explanation why no vote goes to waste in Australia and why voting in an election is considered compulsory.

4. Famous Poles in Australia is our last topic today. One Polish person who we're going to zoom in especially is an established explorer of the Australian continent, count Paul Strzelecki. 

He is a truly fascinating person. In his many travels he managed to save over 200,000 people in Ireland during the Famine, supposedly discover gold in Australia and measure and name its highest mountain - Mount Kościuszko.

Below you'll find a fun activity I'd like you to do. Please read the text titled Strzelecki and the Zig Zags and make a note or mark on the map which countries he visited in his life.

AUSTRALIAN EXPLORERS: PAUL STRZELECKI

Please complete this short QUIZ

P (part 2): Perth, Painters and Poets

1. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, the most isolated capital city in the world and happens to be my favourite city in Australia. Click on the link to see what is going on in Perth right now (focus on tourist attractions) and watch the video below.




2. Painters

Does anyone know what painting is presented below?
Let's have a guessing game (please don't google the answers!)

Can you please comment below and post your answers to these questions:

I. This painting was painted by
   a) an aboriginal painter
   b) a western painter
   c) an animal

II. When it was originally purchased, it cost:
   a) A$ 1 (one Australian dollar)
   b) A$ 1,500
   c) A$ 1.3 million

III. Currently it's worth:
   a) nothing as it was destroyed in a bush fire
   b) A$ 1.3 million
   c) between 100 and 350 million American dollars



















Now click on the link above (Painters) and read the article. Focus mostly on the body of work of Sidney Nolan. What is he famous for? (hint: think of one of the topics we covered in our last class)

3. Poets

Or rather "a poet" (singular). Arguably the most famous Australian poet is A.B. "Banjo" Paterson. He wrote lyrics for the unofficial Australian anthem, the song Waltzing Matilda which we will be covering in one of our future classes. He also published a poem called The Man from Snowy River. This poem to Australians is what Pan Tadeusz is to Poles.

Please watch the video below (I suggest you watch it full screen and read the subtitles).




The poem was published in 1890 in the Bulletin and - if you remember from our class about Australian English - it gave rise to growing interest and appreciation for Australian accent and colloquialisms.

P: Pearling industry

Today we'll be talking about pearling industry and how it collided with the White Australia Policy. This topic also allows us to revise what we know about Aborigines from the Kimberley region (see Jandamara Rebellion).

First, please watch a presentation which I recorded for you (it's about 30 minutes long, so go grab some coffee, sit down and listen).




FOLLOW UP READING:

1. Here you can see the TIMELINE of the pearling industry (Broome, WA). It a summary of what I've been talking about in the presentation.



















2. CLICK to learn more about Aboriginal Australians and their relation to pearls.

3. Finally some information about Japanese divers (for buffs only).

In the coming days we should have an online platform ready so I'll be able to chat to you all live.
Stay tuned!

N & O: Ned Kelly and the Outback

Today we'll be dealing with some really heavy topics.

The bulk of our time will have to be devoted to famous OUTLAWS. Australia sports names of many brave men who chose to stand against their opressors, but the two who are the most important, and have become part of Aussie culture and mentality, are Ned Kelly and Ben Hall.

Ned Kelly (a Sydney Nolan's painting)
Ned Kelly Skull doco
Jerilderie Letter



















Ben Hall

THE FELONS' APPREHENSION ACT

ACTIVITY Ned Kelly

And now something for film buffs among you (you are all encouraged to read/watch these materials, but there will be no questions on this part).

Since bushrangers chose OUTBACK as their real home, we'll also have a closer look at just how it is portrayed in modern culture.

I have already introduced you to the acclaimed documentary Not Quite Hollywood. Among films which are discussed there, are such golden nuggets of Aussie cinema as Razorback and The Long Weekend. While they are in no means of any (or almost any) artistic merit, they offer a surprisingly insightful description of "the red centre."



































If we have time, we'll celebrate Australian OSCAR winners and nominees.

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Here is your next Fun Facts QUIZ we'll be doing in class.


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M: Maori and Monotremes

This week we'll be bouncing between not only two countries but in fact two continents.

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These are the videos we will be watching together in class:












Finally, let's learn a little bit about monotremes from this cute video: