Teaching Resources
THE
CONSTITUTIONAL
CENTRE
Primary
OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
With A Vote Of Her Own
An exhibition commemorating
the centenary of women’s suffrage
in Western Australia.
The Constitutional Centre of Western
Australia Parliament Place, West Perth
Tel. (08) 9222 6922 Fax: (08) 9222 6911
Toll Free No. 1800 647 249
Email: [email protected]
Webste:www.ccentre.wa.gov.au
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
(These notes are taken from the video script (spoken by Anne Conti) used in our
exhibition.)
THE 1890s
A century ago, when Perth was a far flung outpost of the British Empire, the
population of Western Australia was dominated, almost two-to-one, by men.
The woman’s place was in the kitchen, where she could keep the home fires burning,
raise the children and fulfil her wedding vow to “honour and obey” her husband. If
she was unfortunate enough to be single, her position was even more difficult as there
was no specific role for her and there were limited employment opportunities
available.
Women’s opinions were rarely sought on social issues, and their voices seldom heard
outside the accepted avenues of female conversation.
It was very much a man’s world. Men made the laws - and their laws favoured men.
Some women were content with a system which regarded them as their husband’s
property. Fortunately for women today, many more were not.
Pioneers like Emily Hensman, Margaret Forrest, Madeline Onslow, Gwenyfred James,
Edith Cowan and Roberta Jull became leaders of a women’s movement devoted to
advancing the rights and status of colonial women - married and single. They
discovered their own political voice… and they wanted to be heard.
SUFFRAGE - THE RIGHT TO VOTE
But when the idea of female suffrage was raised in Western Australia’s parliament it
was not well received. The Premier, Sir John Forrest was opposed. One of the other
members went so far as to say that “ ladies, like cats, were best at home.”
But the resolve of W.A.’s pioneering women was undeterred, and in 1899, the
Constitution Act Amendments Act was passed. It gave female citizens in Western
Australia the right to vote.
Finally, women could speak and be heard.
THE 1900s
Western Australian women were amongst the first in the world to secure the right to
vote. Only New Zealand, South Australia and a few states in America had taken this
bold step sooner.
In 1900 women in Western Australia voted for the first time at the crucial referendum
on Federation. Women in colonies other than South Australia did not have the
opportunity to vote on this issue because they had not yet gained the franchise.
The W.A. Constitutional Centre - Background Information for Teachers –With A Vote Of Her Own
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It wasn’t until 1902 that women in New South Wales won the right to vote. Also in
that year, female citizens in Australia were given the right to vote in Federal elections.
Women in Tasmania won the right in 1903, in Queensland in 1905 and finally in
Victoria in 1908 - the last all male electorate in the country - stepped into line with the
rest of the nation.
Women now had an equal vote with men, but not equality in other areas.
In 1907 the basic wage for a woman was set at 54% of a man’s.
Inequalities such as this moved Edith Cowan, Bessie Rischbieth and Ruffy-Hill to set
up the Women’s Service Guilds in 1909 with the aims of educating women on social,
political and economic questions and working towards the establishment of equal
rights of citizenship for men and women.
THE 1910s
Between 1910 and 1920 the power of the women’s vote began to have an increasingly
noticeable effect on the law and society.
In 1911 a Maternity Allowance of five pounds was made payable to new mothers,
divorce laws were more equitable, King Edward Memorial Hospital was established as
a maternity hospital, women justices could be appointed to the Children’s Court, and
barmaids and female musicians were granted equal pay with men.
The power of the women’s vote was felt at national level, too. The controversial
Conscription Referendum in 1916 included much campaigning aimed directly at
mothers and wives.
The decade closed with a major step forward. Twenty one years after winning the
right to vote, eligible Western Australian women were now able to stand for
parliament.
THE 1920s
Western Australia’s state election of 1921 was the first opportunity women had to
enter parliament. Of the five who nominated for seats only one was successful - Edith
Dircksey Cowan, the first female member of parliament in Australia.
She entered politics to have an impact on things important to her, like divorce court
reform, the guardianship of children, the reform of inheritance law, and to open up the
legal profession to women.
The press response to her success was demeaning. Cartoons in the Bulletin showed
her interrupting the important affairs of parliament with her so-called “housewifely
instincts”.
Despite this type of reaction Edith Cowan was a forceful parliamentarian. She
introduced and saw enacted the Women’s Legal Status Act which enabled women to
practice law. It was a major milestone in the progress of women’s rights.
The W.A. Constitutional Centre - Background Information for Teachers –With A Vote Of Her Own
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Although she failed to win her seat of West Perth in the next election, she had
permanently opened the door to the political arena for women.
The next woman to step through that door was May Holman, elected in 1925. She
was to occupy the seat of Forrest for the next 14 years, during an era in which W.A.
was at the forefront of the Australian women’s movement.
THE 1930s
The 1930s saw more Western Australian women entering politics.
In 1934 Mrs Florence Cardell-Oliver polled 18,000 votes in the seat of Fremantle,
almost unseating future wartime leader John Curtin.
She was more successful in 1936, winning the seat of Subiaco, which she would hold
for 20 years.
She was a tireless worker for the needy and was especially concerned about the health
of children from low income families. She declared she would “take the bull by the
horns and get free milk for the children”. Her efforts created the school milk scheme
which ensured generations of children benefited from a daily quota of free milk.
The same year Cardell-Oliver entered Parliament, May Holman became the first
woman in the Empire to be re-elected to Parliament and to hold a seat for 10 years.
She remained an active member until her death in 1939.
THE 1940s
The Forties were a dark period in world history, and are still remembered as “the War
Years”.
It was a time when everyone had to do their bit, so while our men went off to fight,
our women stepped into the jobs they left behind.
The Women’s Land Army was formed to “fight the silent battle, on the front behind
the front”.
Women discovered what it was like to work outside the domestic environment, to be
responsible for more than their husband’s happy home. It was a taste of life they
would not easily surrender and by the time the boys returned, many women were
jealous of the jobs they had to give up. For the first time a new slogan was heard in
the women’s movement - “equal pay for equal work”.
In 1943 a Western Australian woman once again created Australian political historyDorothy Tangney became the first woman Senator in Australia.
In 1949 another Western Australian, Agnes Robertson, became the second woman to
enter Federal politics.
The W.A. Constitutional Centre - Background Information for Teachers –With A Vote Of Her Own
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In that same year Florence Cardell-Oliver became the first female Cabinet Minister in
Australia, being appointed Minister for Health and Minister for Supply and Shipping
for Western Australia.
THE 1950s
The post war period proved women were in the workforce to stay, and one of the
biggest issues of the decade was the fight for equal pay.
In 1951 the basic wage for women was increased from 54% to 65% of the male basic
wage. Although the financial gain was welcome it meant women were still receiving
less than three quarters of the pay men received for the same work.
Women’s organisations actively campaigned for equal pay, establishing a national
committee and formulating an Australia-wide campaign strategy.
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, which had been instrumental in winning
the vote half a century earlier, lent its support to the cause.
Senator Dorothy Tangney was W.A.’s representative at the 1958 National Conference
on Equal Pay in Sydney.
The decade closed with the establishment of the Combined Equal Pay Committee of
Western Australia.
THE 1960s
It’s been said that if you can remember the sixties, you weren’t really there.
Although it was an era remembered mostly for drugs, sex and rock’n’roll, it was also a
time when the Western Australian community was tackling some important issues.
By 1967 the campaign for Equal Pay proved effective. Premier David Brand’s State
Cabinet authorised the payment of male wage and salary rates to female government
employees who were doing work of equal value.
Another significant event in 1967 was the referendum that gave the Commonwealth
Government power to include all people of Aboriginal descent in the census.
From that time, opportunities for indigenous Australians to exercise their vote was
greatly improved.
THE 1970s
The 70’s galvanised women into political action more than any decade before. With
the voting age lowered to 18 in 1970, more women than ever were adding their voices
to the ongoing debates about women’s issues.
The W.A. Constitutional Centre - Background Information for Teachers –With A Vote Of Her Own
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A new branch of the long running Women’s Service Guild, called the Harvest Guild,
was formed in 1972. Its President, Wendy Fatin, appeared in a controversial television
interview to publicly advocate legislation for the advertising of contraceptives.
Later she went on to become the Federal Member for Canning, then Brand, then
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women.
The Harvest Guild itself was absorbed into a much larger movement - a world wide
phenomenon known simply as Women’s Liberation.
Another organisation formed in the early 70’s was the Women’s Electoral Lobby.
One of the original members was Dot Goodrick, who later became the Lobby’s
representative to the Fraser Government.
The Lobby aimed to give women more power, challenge the male monopoly on public
decision making, obtain private and public equality for women, educate political
candidates on women’s issues and to obtain workplace reforms such as maternity
leave and childcare.
On the world stage 1975 was designated International Women’s Year, and the start of
the United Nation’s Decade for Women.
The seventies ended with Margaret Thatcher being elected to the highest political
office in Britain.
THE 1980s
The eighties began with the United Nations Second World Congress on Women in
Copenhagen.
By 1983 the U.N.’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women was ratified by Australia. In W.A. the Women’s Advisory Council to
the Premier was established.
In 1984 the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act banned discrimination on the
basis of sex, marital status or pregnancy, and the Equal Opportunities Act promoted
the equality of women in Women Australia.
The United Nations Decade for Women ended in 1985 with the Third World
Conference for Women in Nairobi.
1987 saw the beginning of “affirmative action” through the Equal Employment
Opportunities Act - known throughout corporate Australia simply as EEO.
Coinciding with Australia’s Bicentennial Year, the Federal Government released its
National Agenda for Women in 1988 under the title “A Say, A Fair Go”.
The W.A. Constitutional Centre - Background Information for Teachers –With A Vote Of Her Own
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THE 1990s
In the 90’s the voices of women are clearer and stronger than ever, with women
occupying key positions in our state and federal parliaments.
Carmen Lawrence became Australia’s first female Premier, and her government was
the first in Australia to have five female cabinet ministers simultaneously.
In the 1993 Court government Cheryl Edwardes was appointed Western Australia’s
first female Attorney-General.
For several years Western Australian Senators Christobel Chamarette and Dee
Margetts, together with then Democrat Leader Cheryl Kernot, held the balance of
power in the Senate.
In 1998, the controversial Davenport Bill was passed, moving regulation of abortion
into the Health Act. This landmark decision meant Western Australian women would
no longer face prosecution for undergoing an abortion.
As Western Australian women enter the second century of their political activism, it is
worth recalling the sentiment of one of our most notable female politicians.
In 1894 Edith Cowan suggested her women’s political group, the Karrakatta Club,
adopt the motto spectemur agendo -“let us be judged by our actions”.
Nearly 30 years later her commitment to action was rewarded with a seat in
Parliament. It was the beginning of women’s active participation in our political
process, a fact she drew to the attention of her male counterparts in her first speech as
a Member. She said: “If men and women can work for the state side by side and
represent all the different sections of the community… I cannot doubt that we
should do very much better work in the community than was ever done before”.
(Hansard 28 July 1921, page 15)
That statement is as true today as it was then.
The W.A. Constitutional Centre - Background Information for Teachers –With A Vote Of Her Own
3. POETRY
a. read and discuss the extract from parliamentary debate by Mr
Illingworth “The rights of women - what are they?”
b. activity - in pairs brainstorm the rights of children and then write a
poem on “The rights of children - what are they?”
2. EDITH COWAN - CROSSWORD / DESIGN A NOTE
a. Read Fact Sheet & complete Crossword
b. Research a famous Western Australian (select from list) and design a
$500 note commemorating that person.
1. TIME LINE - RESEARCH
a. information time-line outlining key events in voting rights in W.A.
Read & discuss.
b. Activity - research - talk to an older female family member or friend.
Draw a time-line representing their life and mark major events eg when
they started work, school & personal achievements, when they voted etc.
ACTIVITY
Time, Continuity & Change
- Natural & Social Systems
The Arts
English
- Understanding Language
- Writing, Reading
Society & Environment
- Culture
English
Processes & Strategies
English
- Processes & Strategies
Society & Environment
- Time, Continuity & Change
-
STRAND
Society & Environment
- Investigations, Communication &
Participation.
Beliefs & Culture
Cohesion & Diversity
Personal, Group & Cultural Identity
Natural Systems
Political & Legal Systems
Economic Systems
Time & change
Understanding the past
Interpretations & perspectives
Time & change
Understanding the past
Interpretations & perspectives
Planning Investigations
Conducting investigations
Processing & interpreting information
Evaluating and applying findings
SUBSTRANDS
NOTE - While Society & Environment is the major strand for these activities, reference has also been made to the other related strands.
WITH A VOTE OF HER OWN
PRIMARY ACTIVITIES & CURRICULUM RELEVANCE
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6. FOOD PREPARATION OVER THE LAST 100YEARS IN W.A.
RESEARCH - ROLEPLAYS
a. Read & discuss the fact sheet. Look at the Wattle recipe book, CWA
ads, discuss what cooking and appliances would have been like 40 years
ago and 100 years ago. What did people eat? How did they prepare
food? Who was responsible?
Discuss what happens today - what do we eat? How do we prepare it?
Who is responsible?
Complete the research table (part 2).
b. activity - in groups prepare a roleplay - of the preparation of a family
meal - include purchasing, preparation and cleaning up. Discuss
5. ART
a. look at Sally Morgan’s screen print of Citizenship, read the
information and discuss what Sally is trying to convey with her art.
b. activity - Citizenship and our school - answer questions on what it
means to be a citizen with the school and design a poster that reflects the
school community (its purpose, values and its people).
4. HISTORICAL DATA RELATING TO WOMEN - MATHS
a. read the fact sheet & look at table outlining the dates for the six states
of Australia and when they got their constitution, voting rights for
women, standing for parliament & when married women could own their
own property. Discuss.
b. activity - answer the questions under the table and construct bar graphs
to represent the information in the table.
ACTIVITY
Time, Continuity & Change
Resources
-
Investigations, Communications &
Participation
-
-
English
- Writing
The Arts
Arts Ideas, Responses
Society & Environment
- Culture
- Natural & Social Systems
Society & Environment
- Active Citizenship
- Natural & Social Systems
STRAND
Maths
- Chance & Data
Society & Environment
- Time, Continuity & Change
Beliefs & Culture
Cohesion & Diversity
Personal, Group & Cultural Identity
Planning Investigations
Conducting investigations
Processing & interpreting information
Evaluating and applying findings
Time & change
Understanding the past
Interpretations & perspectives
Use of resources
Management & Enterprise
Democratic process
Social Justice
Natural Systems
Political & Legal Systems
Economic Systems
Time & change
Understanding the past
Interpretations & perspectives
Natural Systems
Political & Legal Systems
Economic Systems
SUBSTRAND
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8. KARAKATTA CLUB & MOTTOS
a. read & discuss fact sheet
motto - “Let us be judged by our actions.”
b. in small groups students discuss mottos or slogans that they have heard
of, then develop a motto for the classroom.
7. DEBATE - NATIONAL SERVICE
a. read discuss & complete fact sheet
b. debate - topic
ACTIVITY
Food Preparation (cont.)
English
- Speaking, Writing & Understanding
Language.
- Active Citizenship
- Time, Continuity & Change
English
- Speaking & Writing
Society & Environment
- Natural & Social Systems
- Natural & Social Systems
Society & Environment
- Time, Continuity & Change
Health & P.E.
- Interpersonal Skills
English
- Speaking
STRAND
Natural Systems
Political & Legal Systems
Economic Systems
Time & change
Understanding the past
Interpretations & perspectives
Democratic process
Social Justice
Natural Systems
Political & Legal Systems
Economic Systems
Time & change
Understanding the past
Interpretations & perspectives
SUBSTRANDS
People & Work
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Timeline Activity
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 1
Talk to your mother, aunty, grandmother, or an older woman you know, and draw a timeline for them.
Record the most important events in their life. At each point write the year and a summary of that event.
1829 Q
1839
c3
/
WA Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources -Activity 1
i)
Aboriginal people won the right to vote.
1962
0
1970
Edith Cowan
Women, over the age of 21, won the right to vote.
Queen Victoria gave Royal Assent to W.A.‘s
Constitution. This gave, us the two houses
of parliament we have today, with John
Forrest as the Premier.
Four leading colonists were appointed to the
Legislative Council - no elections were held.
James Stirling founded the Swan River colony.
He governed the colony by himself.
0
Governor Stirling formed a
Legislative Council and appointed
four government officials to help
him govern the colony.
A petition was successful to allow the election of
some representatives to the Legislative Council.
However, only men, who owned land, and were
over the age of 2 1 could vote.
John Forrest
All men, over the age of 21, won the right to
vote, whether they owned property or not.
Women and Aboriginal people still could not
vote.
1920
Women won the right to run for parliament. In 1921
Edith Cowan was the first woman in Australia to be
elected to parliament.
0
Timeline of voting rights in W.A.
The voting age was changed to 18 years and over.
FACT SHEET
EDITH DIRCKSEY
COWAN
(1861 - 1932)
Edith Cowan was the first woman in Australia to gain a seat in
parliament, where she fought for the rights of women, children,
the poor and disadvantaged.
She was born in Geraldton, Western Australia. Her mother died when she was only seven.
Her father remarried and Edith was sent away to boarding school when she was nine years old.
She met her husband, James Cowan (a lawyer), while she was still at school. They both shared an
interest in social reform and married when Edith was 19 years old.
James Cowan was the Registrar of the Supreme Court and Edith attended some of his court
sessions. She tried to help battered wives by offering advice and financial assistance.
Edith and James Cowan had five children in eleven years (four girls and a boy). When her
children were old enough Edith began helping women again.
She was a founding member of the famous Karrakatta Women’s Debating Club in Perth.
This club was made up of intelligent women who had left school young and were keen to improve
their education. Edith held many positions within the club including President.
Edith Cowan was appointed one of the first women Justices (JP)for the Children’s Court in
1915. She was also a foundation member of the Women’s Service Guild in 1909.
During the first world war she worked for the Red Cross, the Soldier’s Welcome Committee, the
Soldier’s Institute, voluntary aid societies and for the rights of returned soldiers. She received an
O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire) for her work during this time.
Women in W.A. won the right to vote in 1899 and to stand for Parliament in 1920. In 1921, Edith
Cowan ran for the seat of West Perth, as a Nationalist candidate, and was successful.
She became the first woman in Australia to win a seat in parliament as a MLA - Member
Legislative Assembly.
Edith’s maiden (first) speech in parliament addressed the concerns of women and the need for
social reform.
Edith Cowan was responsible for two private member’s Bills, one an act enabling a mother to
share in the estate of a child and the other, the Women’s Legal Status Act, aimed at abolishing the
restriction of entry of women to civil office, occupation, or to practice law.
In 1925 Edith was a delegate to the Sixth International Conference of Women in Washington.
Edith Cowan died on June 9, 1932. She was one of the most important people in our social and
political history. Her achievements have been acknowledged with the Clock Tower at Kings Park,
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 2
EDITH COWAN CROSSWORD
1
2
3
4
5
10
15
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20
21
27
28
35
44
45
46
22
36
47
23
37
6
7
8
11
12
18
19
24
25
29
30
33
34
38
39
42
43
48
1
12
15
21
30
35
39
44
49
55
71
74
75
14
31
32
40
41
49
50
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52
54
56
57
65
74
13
26
53
55
9
76
77
58
59
60
66
67
69
70
78
79
ACROSS
The town where Edith Cowan was born.
Edith Cowan was responsible for the
Women’s Legal Status _____.
see 44 How many years later did she win a
seat in parliament?
Her husband’s first name.
She received this award for her work
during World War 1
For the 1921 election Edith Cowan
nominated for the seat of ______Perth.
same as 12 across
She was appointed one of the first
women Justices for the Children’s
_____in 1915.
She was responsible for two private
members’ _________s.
A place named after her.
Her title when elected in 1921.
Her ______speech in Parliament addressed
the concerns of women and the need for
social reform.
61
62
63
64
68
71
72
73
80
1
6
9
21
44
58
60
64
DOWN
She was a foundation member of the
Women’s Services ______ in 1909.
In 1925 Edith Cowan was a ______ to the
Sixth International Conference of Women in
Washington.
Which party did Edith Cowan represent?
An abbreviation of a role held by Edith
Cowan.
She was a member of the Karrakatta
_______.
In 1899 women in W.A. won the right to
____
Edith did a lot of voluntary work with the
____ Cross.
1921 was the ______Edith Cowan entered
parliament.
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 2
Design A Bank Note
My name is Edith Cowan and I’m proud
to have my picture on the $50 note.
Below is a list of famous West
Australians. Research five important
facts about one of these people’s lives
and use this information to design a
$500 note for them.
John Forrest
Daisy Bates
Margaret Forrest
James Stirling
C.Y. O’Connor
May Holman
YOUR
RESEARCH
NAME
FACT 1
FACT 2
FACT 3
FACT 4
FACT 5
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 2
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
FACT SHEET
WHAT IS A RIGHT?
The Collins Australian Dictionary sayswhat is just (fair & proper)or due.
The Chambers everyday dictionary sayswhat one has a just claim to.
RIGHTS
RESPONSIBILITIES
WHAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY?
The Collins Australian dictionary sayswhat one is responsible ( accountable) for.
The Chambers everday dictionary sayswhat one is responsible (morally answerable) for.
What is a stereotype? Think about rights, responsibilities
and stereotypes before you read the next page.
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 3
The Rights of Women - What Are They?
In 1890 W.A. was granted self-government by an Act of British Parliament.
This meant we had a Premier and the two houses of parliament that we have today
( the upper house - Legislative Council & the lower house - Legislative Assembly).
At that time, however, only men who owned land could vote.
Mr Illingworth was a member of the W.A. Parliament during the time of debate for women being given the
right to vote. Sir John Forrest was Premier. Mr Illingworth strongly felt it was wrong to give women the
vote. He felt he was protecting the rights of women by not giving them the vote.
The words below are an extract from West Australian Parliamentary Debate records July 1899, of the words spoken by Mr Illingworth.
The rights of women - what are they?
The right to labour and to pray;
The right to watch while others sleep;
The right o’er others woes to weep;
The right to succour in reverse; (succour means help)
The right to bless while others curse;
The right to love whom others scorn;
The right to comfort all who mourn;
The right to shed new joy on earth;
The right to feel the soul’s high worth;
The right to lead the soul to God;
Along the path her saviour trod;
The path of meekness and of love;
The path of patience under wrong;
The path in which the weak grow strong;
Such women’s rights and God will bless;
And crown their champions with success.
Question -
Do you agree with Mr Illingworth?
Question -
What do you think are the rights of women?
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 3
WORK WITH A PARTNER AND
BRAINSTORM IDEAS TO THE
QUESTION - THE RIGHTS OF
CHILDREN - WHAT ARE THEY?
The Rights
Of Children
- What Are
They?
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 3
USING THE INFORMATION
FROM THE BRAINSTORMING
ACTIVITY, WRITE A POEM
THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
- WHAT ARE THEY?
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 3
1800
1825
1850
1875
1900
1925
W.A.
S.A.
N.S.W.
TAS.
QUEENS.
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 4
VIC.
HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Construct a bar graph, using the
information from the table on the
previous page. Don’t forget to include
a key and labels for your table.
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 5
Q What message do you think Sally Morgan is trying to say with her painting?
NOTE This Act has been repealed which means it is no longer used. It wasn’t until nearly twenty years later that Aboriginal
people were granted the right to vote in 1962, and later, in 1967, counted as citizens for the national Census.
Before granting an application....the magistrate shall be satisfied thata. for the two years immediately prior the applicant has adopted the manner and habits of civilised life
b. the full rights of citizenship are desirable for and likely to be conducive to the welfare of the applicant
c. the applicant is able to speak and understand the Endlish language
d. the applicant is not suffering from active leprosy, syphilis, granuloma or yaws
e. the applicant is of industrious habits and is of good behaviour and reputation
f. the applicant is reasonably capable of managing his own affairs.
An extract from the Natives (Citizenship Rights) Act states
“I need to paint and to write. I can express things in different ways and perhaps reach wider audiences. I paint so I don’t have to
explain. When I want to fill in the details, I write. Some things are best expressed in art, others in writing or even in performance”.
Sally says:
The lives of Aboriginal people were very hard during the early 1900s due to the restrictive government legislation of the time. One of
those legislations was the Natives (Citizenship Rights) Act of 1944. Sally has expressed her thoughts of this Act in her artwork on this
page.
This artwork was done by Sally Morgan, an aboriginal artist and writer. Sally was born in Perth in 1951, the eldest of five children. She
lived with her mother and grandmother who were both Aboriginal.
CITIZENSHIP - WHAT IT MEANT FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE IN THE 1940s.
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 5
How do the parents help our school?
What are the reponsibilities of the teachers and staff at our school?
What are your responsibilities as a student at our school?
What do you like about our school’s location and buildings?
What does being a citizen within our school mean to you? Answer the following questions.
Our school is a community and you are a citizen in this community.
CITIZENSHIP & OUR SCHOOL
Using the information you have written, design a
poster that represents our school community.
FOOD PREPARATION OVER
THE LAST 100 YEARS IN
W.A. (part 1 )
FACT SHEET
Country Women’s Association 1947
Extract from The Golden Wattle
Cookery Book (1940)
Approximate amount of food required daily by
an average man doing moderate work.
Food
Ounces
Calories
Meat (Beef Steak)
8
531
Bacon
2
348
Milk
8
170
Butter
1½
335
Egg
2
83
Cheese
1
120
Bread
10
784
Oatmeal
1½
175
Flour
1½
156
Cereal (rice)
1
105
Pulses (beans)
1½
150
Sugar
3
400
Jam
1½
118
Vegetables
8
56
Potatoes
8
157
TOTAL
58 ½
3,688
Something to think about.....
How many calories would a
man require today? Why?
Would the food list be different
Country Women’s Association 1947
NOW LOOK AT PART 2
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 6
NATIONAL SERVICE REFERENDUM OF 1916
Conscription was an issue of great concern to women in 1916. Some women were FOR the
conscription of young men to the armed forces because they felt they could help their loved ones
already there. Others were AGAINST the young men fighting overseas because they felt
Australia had done enough and the war was too far away.
The advertisement below was part of a campaign to appeal to women to vote NO to
Conscription - compulsory
enrolment for armed services for
the state or country.
Referendum - submitting a question
directly to the vote of the entire
electorate.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IF A THIRD WORLD WAR WAS TO HAPPEN
IN THE FUTURE, WOULD YOU SUPPORT
NATIONAL CONSCRIPTION?
REASONS FOR
REASONS AGAINST
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 7
KARRAKATTA CLUB - part 1
Background Information
•
•
•
•
•
The club was founded in 1894.
The main aim of the club was for women to help one another learn and be
involved in social issues. It was also a chance to practice public speaking.
The club supported women’s right to vote (so that women could have a say
in issues that affected them and their families)and the work of the Red Cross
in the two World Wars.
The club’s motto (suggested by Edith Cowan) was “Spectemur Agendo”
which means “Let us be judged by our actions”.
Early members included Lady Onslow, Lady Forrest, Mrs Cowan, Miss
Swanton, Dr Jull.
The Club had its own Constitution.
Name three organisations that you
know have a constitution.
What is a constitution?
Use a dictionary
& answer the
following
questions.
What is a motto?
What do you think - “Let
us be judged by our
actions. ”means?
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 8
KARRAKATTA CLUB - part 2
GROUP ACTIVITY
Form a Club in your classroom.
A club is a group or team of people who share a common purpose or goal,
just like the Karrakatta Club.
In your group, think of a club that may be useful for your classroom eg
environmental club or a music club and
Name of Club
Aim of Club
Motto
Constitution
(rules about how your club will operate- include positions eg president, secretary and what
their jobs do, how often the club will meet, how to become a member and the general rules.)
W.A. Constitutional Centre - Teaching Resources - Activity 8