Year 10 Modern History

On Friday 27 March, Year 10 Modern History students took part in a rich learning excursion led by guides from the Museum of Brisbane.

The day began with students travelling by bus into the Brisbane CBD. Upon arrival, students were welcomed by Museum of Brisbane educators and participated in a guided walking tour designed to deepen their understanding of Brisbane’s history and its role during World War II. 

The walking tour commenced at Brisbane City Hall and included visits to several significant city landmarks. Students explored sites such as Albert Street Uniting Church, the Ann Street bomb shelter, and ANZAC Square, allowing them to connect classroom learning with real-world locations of historical importance. The tour also highlighted stories linked to the Battle of Brisbane, the sinking of the Centaur, and the many marriages of Brisbane women to American soldiers. 

One of the many memorable stories of the day was conveyed to students as they viewed the “Lucky Wall”. This was a section of toilet wall in City Hall that was graffitied by Australian soldiers who wrote their army number and names on the wall while on rec leave, a common practice at the time. But unlike other walls that were graffitied in this way, this one has not been painted over and is now heritage listed. Research by a City Hall historian has revealed that every soldier who signed this section of wall returned home alive from the conflict. This is why it is dubbed the “Lucky Wall”.

Throughout the excursion, students demonstrated excellent engagement and behaviour, asking thoughtful questions and responding respectfully to the historical significance of the sites visited. The experience provided an invaluable opportunity for students to see history come alive beyond textbooks, fostering deeper understanding through place-based learning. The notes taken will form part of the source material available to students for their Term 2 research task.