Exploring Australia's iconic objects and images
When you think of 'Australia' what are the first images that pop into your head? Perhaps you imagine the red outback or the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or maybe our sunny beaches.
In Icons, Symbols and Legends students investigate Australia's iconic objects and images through object handling and gallery exploration, and consider how representative these are of Australia's identity or identities.
Details
| Year levels | Kindergarten–4 |
| Group size | 30 students (two groups can run concurrently) |
| Duration | 75 minutes |
| Cost | $5 per student |
| Availability | Tuesday–Friday 10am, 12pm, 3pm |
| Curriculum links |
Australian History curriculum links to our programs (178kb PDF) |
Aims
- Introduce students to the concepts of symbols, icons and legends.
- Enable students to make the connection between symbols, icons and legends and the Australian identity or identities.
Structure
- Introductory activity – students are introduced to the concepts of symbols, icons and legends. Working in groups, students investigate a collection of objects that symbolise an aspect of Australian life.
- Gallery activity - students explore the Museum's galleries and participate in an Icons, Symbols and Legends treasure hunt, looking for iconic objects that embody an aspect of our national identity or identities.
- Reflection – students share with the class the iconic objects they found of interest in the Museum gallery and discuss what objects could become symbols of Australia in the future.
Exploring the Museum
You may like to allow extra time to visit other exhibitions and to explore other places in the Museum, such as Circa and Kspace. For everything you need to know about visiting, see Plan and book a visit.
Related resources
You may also be interested in this teacher resource:
- Between the Flags – an education kit that explores the history of surf lifesaving in Australia.
and these interactives:
- Citizen's Arch – explore the symbols and designs on the 1901 Citizen's Arch
- The First Golden Age of Cricket – investigate the lockers of some of Australia's famous cricketers
You can also see the full list of resources related to Australian history.