Australian Journey
Australian Journey is a free web-based video series exploring the nation's history, and is the result of a collaboration between Monash University's Faculty of Arts and the National Museum of Australia.
The series is suitable for high school and tertiary students and explores issues including the Australian environment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history, democracy and citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism, reconciliation and the Anzac legend.
Introduction
Episode 1: Travelling Country
01 Travelling Country
Indigenous and European perceptions of landscape, focusing on Burke and Wills’ tragic journey of exploration.
01.1 Travelling Country Interviews
The challenges of documenting Aboriginal languages with Susan Carland, Shannon Faulkhead and John Bradley.
Episode 2: A Land of the Weird and Monstrous
02 A Land of the Weird and Monstrous
The extinction of the thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, and the ethics of cloning.
02.1 A Land of the Weird and Monstrous Interviews
The dangers of narrowing biodiversity with Susan Carland, Kathryn Medlock and George Main.
Episode 3: A Wide Brown Land
03 A Wide Brown Land
The impact of water scarcity and ways of living in a dry continent.
03.1 A Wide Brown Land Interviews
Adaptation and environmental management in Australia with Susan Carland and Ruth Morgan.
Episode 4: Our Island Home
04 Our Island Home
James Cook and the voyage of the Endeavour along Australia’s eastern seaboard.
04.1 Our Island Home Interviews
Environmental threats to the Great Barrier Reef with Susan Carland and Ruth Morgan.
Episode 5: Multicultural Mosaic
05 Multicultural Mosaic
The contribution immigrants have made to the Australian nation.
05.1 Multicultural Mosaic Interviews
Immigration policy, citizenship and border protection with Susan Carland and Julian Burnside. Contains distressing content and offensive language.
Episode 6: Captivity Narratives
06 Captivity Narratives
Australia’s convict history: prison or paradise?
06.1 Captivity Narratives Interviews
The Hobart female factory and the experience of colonial women with Susan Carland and Rae Frances.
Episode 7: The Stolen Generations
07 The Stolen Generations
The history of forced removal of Indigenous children from their families.
07.1 The Stolen Generations Interviews
The survival of Indigenous people and the impact of the national apology, with Susan Carland and Peter Read.
Episode 8: The Australian Way of Life
08 The Australian Way of Life
The Holden car and suburban life in postwar Australia, Cold War politics and America’s cultural influence.
08.1 The Australian Way of Life Interviews
Susan Carland and Waleed Aly on the influence of sport in Australian history.
Episode 9: Encounters
09 Encounters
Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resistance, survival and reconciliation from the Encounters exhibition.
09.1 Encounters Interviews
Collaboration between Indigenous communities, the British Museum and National Museum with Susan Carland and Peter Yu.
Episode 10: Creating a Nation
10 Creating a Nation
Federation of the states and creation of the Commonwealth of Australia.
10.1 Creating a Nation Interviews
The achievements and dismissal of the Whitlam Government with Susan Carland and Jenny Hocking.
Episode 11: Australia’s First Terrorist?
11 Australia’s First Terrorist?
The social origins of bushranging and the legend of Ned Kelly and his gang.
11.1 Australia’s First Terrorist? Interviews
Ned Kelly: hero or villain? with Susan Carland and Frank Bongiorno.
Episode 12: The Anzac Legend
12 The Anzac Legend
The enduring significance of Anzac, its impact on Australian identity and a forgotten war at the heart of our history.
12.1 The Anzac Legend Interviews
The history of Gallipoli pilgrimages with Susan Carland, Bruce Scates and Rebecca Wheatley.
About the project
Australian Journey was three years in the making, filmed across the length and breadth of the continent and involved more than 50 major cultural institutions. The series was funded by Monash University (with assistance from the National Museum of Australia).
The views expressed in this series are those of the authors and interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the view of their host institutions or the National Museum of Australia. The authors, presenters and interviewees assert moral rights over their work.