Interdisciplinary Learning

Year 8 interdisciplinary learning experience at the

Melbourne Museum, combining studies in Language & Literature and Individuals & Societies

First Peoples

Language & Literature

by Annabel Grigg

We have been looking at the way that Aboriginal artists are using modern genres, particularly Sci-Fi, to reimagine traditional stories. In visiting the First Peoples exhibit at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the students were able to explore the way that other visual and audio artists, technicians and curators are using new media to present ancient and modern Aboriginal artefacts, languages and stories.

A particular highlight was the Bunjil’s wings installation. A mesmerising kinetic sculptural and audiovisual representation of the stories of Bunjil the Creator and Waa the Protector is accompanied with the voices of Koori elders, combining traditional storytelling with impressive new media.

The students also loved the interactive ‘Womenjika’ (welcome) language map, a beautiful wooden and steel display with recordings of Koorie people speaking the names of their own languages. You can check these out yourself at https://museumvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/visiting/first-peoples/victorian-languages/

A Load of Old Rubbish

Individuals & Societies

by Fiona Martin

This facilitated program focuses on the Little Lon section of The Melbourne Story in the late 1800s. It invites students to consider what we can learn from the rubbish we leave behind.

Students got to play with ‘a load of old rubbish’ which came from a cesspit found in the Little Lonsdale Street archaeological dig some years back. Items found, particularly in cesspits, reveal valuable information about how early Melburnians lived.

Students were given items to look at and discuss and try to work out what household use they had in the past, for example the ceramic hot water bottle. The chamber pot had a few students wondering, “Could it be a very big tea cup?” The very thought!