Year 5/6 Historical Diary Entries

This term, Year 5/6 students have been studying early Australian history, with a particular focus on the 1850s Gold Rush era and other significant events from Australia’s colonial past. As part of this unit, students selected an important historical figure, event or achievement to investigate in depth, before writing detailed biographies based on their research.

Students then transformed their research into historical diary entries, written from the perspective of the person they had studied. The aim of this task was to create an authentic historical voice, allowing students to step into the mindset, emotions and experiences of people living during this time period.

The diary entries showcased impressive creativity, historical understanding and vocabulary, with many students experimenting with sophisticated descriptive language and strong historical perspectives. 

Below are some examples of this work:

Yagan, a Noongar leader from Western Australia - by Annyka 

William John Wills (of Burke & Wills), explorer - by Chloe

John Macarthur, instigator of the 1808 Rum Rebellion – by Lydia

Tarenorerer, a female rebel leader of the Aboriginal Tasmanians – by Gordon