The Night We Made the Flag by author Carole Wilkinson is a historically based story about the night the Eureka flag was made on the Ballarat goldfields. It is beautifully illustrated by Sebastian Ciaffaglone. The book has lovely end covers depicting the Southern Cross in the night sky, like the constellation that inspired the design of the flag.
During the Gold Rush in Victoria most new immigrants arrived from Great Britain: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They brought their ideas about dressing and fashion with them, and consequently many clothes in Victoria during 1850s follow the same lines as their British cousins.
This will be the first in a series of posts about the Household Arts of the 1850s. If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, please leave a comment or contact us!
Student trying old washing methods at Sovereign Hill
In the days before electricity and washing machines, doing the laundry was a time consuming and physically demanding job. During the early gold rush days new arrivals had to carry any washing tools they wanted all the way to the diggings. Consequently many diggers didn’t enjoy the luxury of properly washed clothes.
Posted in History Teaching, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged 1850s lifestyles, books, Household Arts, women
Well written and accurately researched historical fiction can provide a useful window into the past and an accessible entry into another time for students (and for teachers!).
One such historical novel we love here at Sovereign Hill is Bridie’s Fire by Melbourne author Kirsty Murray (Allen & Unwin, 2003).
Bridie’s Fire published by Allen and Unwin
Posted in Books for Teaching History, History Teaching, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged books, immigration, irish famine, teaching resources, women
With Book Week upon us, we thought a book suggestion would be appropriate. One of the Notable Picture Books in this year’s Children’s Book Council Awards was Queen Victoria’s Underpants – by Jackie French and Bruce Wheatly.
Published by Harper Collins
In the early years of schooling the study of history is often about children noting simple differences between today and the past. During Book Week we are running an activity for early year’s students using this book and we have found it to be a great conversation starter. The story provides a great opportunity to discuss differences in clothing and lifestyle and the reference to underpants is always enjoyed and often prompts lively conversation.
Posted in Books for Teaching History, History Teaching
Tagged 1850s people, books, Queen Victoria, teaching resources, women
One of the most interesting ways to study a period of history is to look at the life of a real person, especially when that person is a colourful character whose life is so full of stories and scandals that they almost seem a work of fiction. Lola Montez was one such person.
Lola Montez at Sovereign Hill
Posted in History Teaching, Sovereign Hill, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged 1850s people, gold rush, theatre, women
Sovereign Hill Education Blog 