Year 9/10 Make A Difference

The yr 9/10 Get MAD (Make a Difference) history elective participated in a Democracy and Human Rights City Walk. They visited the Old Treasury Building, Trades Hall Council, The Great Petition Monument and the steps of Parliament House and discovered what events helped shape democracy in Victoria including the Ballarat Reform League, Eureka Stockade, the origins of the secret ballot, women’s suffrage and First Nations rights.

Students learned about Zelda D'Aprano and the fight for equal pay for women and men, the 8 Hour Day Movement and Gough Whitlam's progressive changes to Victorian laws. They also visited a recently completed Art installation by Larissa MacFarlane, in Royal Lane, focussed on Women & Disability Rights that features pasteup images and quotes from leaders of the Disability Pride Movement such as Stella Young (dec). 

One highlight was getting to speak to one of the protestors from the Free Palestine Movement who gave them the following tips  about activism: 1. Do not be afraid. 2. Learn all you can about the movement. 3. Be passionate and get involved with others. 4. Do not give up - if you stop, the government will think it is ok or no one cares.

Public protest has a long history in Victoria. From as early as the 1840s Melburnians took to the streets to express their views on a wide range of issues, from the right to vote to workers’ rights. Some of the earliest protests were demands for political rights. First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and others have all taken to the streets to demand equal rights and an end to discrimination. Workers also marched through the city early in Victoria’s history, to demand shorter hours, better working conditions and sometimes better pay. 

Kellie Illichmann

Year 9/10 "Make A Difference" Teacher