First Contact

Explore the impacts of British colonialism on the first Australians, particularly the traditional custodians of the Sydney city area, the Gadigal people.

Students will learn about how Aboriginal peoples used the land and plants before first contact and then investigate the plants and seeds brought by the First Fleet and their uses and value at Farm Cove.

• Find out how Aboriginal people used plants for food, medicine, tools and shelter.
• Visit the First Farm display garden and learn about the fruits, vegetables and herbs brought to Australia by the First Fleet.
• Experience and understand the hardships and difficulties of convict life.

• Understand the impact first contact had on Aboriginal people and their relationship with the land.
• Learn about significant Aboriginal people in the story of first contact, including Pemulwuy, Bennelong and Barangaroo.
• Learn about the nature and impacts of colonisation on pre-contact Aboriginal culture and British contact with Aboriginal peoples up to 1820.
• Explore Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perspectives regarding the relationship to land and country.
• Discover Australia's first farm and the plants brought by the First Fleet.

Focus Syllabus Outcomes

Aboriginal studies

• Recognises the changing nature of Aboriginal cultures (AST4.3)
• Outlines changes in Aboriginal culture expression across time and location (AST4.4)
• Describes the contributions and significance of Aboriginal Peoples to Australian society (AST4.7)
• Describes the interaction of the wider Australian community with Aboriginal Peoples and cultures (AST4.8)

History

• Describes and assesses the motives and actions of past individuals and groups in the context of past societies (HT4-3)
• Describes and explains the causes and effects of events and developments of past societies over time (HT4-4)
• Uses evidence from sources to support historical narratives and explanations (HT4-6)
• Identifies and describes different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the past (HT4-7)