The major social changes

1. Examine the data in the ‘Country of origin table: Australia’s population in 1851 and 1861’ (Word version (DOCX 118kB)).

Use Microsoft Excel to display the data in a column graph¹.

Devise and write five questions below the graph for other students to answer.

2. Go to Scribble Maps² and create a login. Locate Australia and four countries listed in the ‘Country of origin table’.

Make a presentation (DOCX 110kB) to share with others.

3. Learn about push and pull factors³ which can influence migration. Use the information to plan (DOCX 116kB) an interview with a digger.

4. Persuade (DOCX 126kB) your family and friends to migrate to Australia. See why human movement ⁴(scroll down when link opens) occurred during and after the gold rush.

1. People began ‘putting down roots’5 and schools and other institutions were built, but not always supported by miners6 (Flash content, written resources can be found here5).

2. Read about the ‘canvas towns’ in NSW7, outside Melbourne8 and view an image9. Melbourne grew rapidly10 during the 1850s, despite problems11 in the streets. Compare the images of Collins St in 183912 and between the years 1860 and 187913. Record your observations in a T-chart (DOCX 121kB).

3. Write a letter home to family or friends, from the perspective of someone who lived in or around Melbourne. Use a template in Microsoft Word or Google Docs to see how a letter is typically structured. Your teacher can show you some examples of letters written from the Ballarat goldfields.