What are you Thinking Now?
Now that you have completed the investigations in Road to Federation, use your knowledge to explore connections to your life today. Do one or more of the following activities.
- To build your understanding of how the two chambers of the Parliament of Australia work to turn a bill into a law, go to Kidsview – Parliament in Focus at the Parliamentary Education Office website. Click on ‘Law making’ to access ‘Pass the Bill’ then follow the instructions. Find out about a bill that is currently being debated in Parliament by looking in newspapers and the media or by visiting the Australian Parliament House website.
- The road to Federation involved petitions, letters to the editors of newspapers, public meetings and debates in order to resolve issues that faced the colony of Victoria. As a class, brainstorm a list of current local, State or national issues that affect you. Decide what changes are needed. How could the issue or issues be successfully resolved? What actions can you and your classmates take? How can you get people involved in the resolution process? Present your ideas for resolving the issue or issues in a letter or leaflet that you can send to a newspaper or to a member of Parliament.
- Design a coin or stamp to commemorate Victoria becoming part of Federation. Decide what images and graphics would best represent the significance of the colonies agreeing to join together.