Lesson summary

This lesson supports teaching about the history of Torres Strait Islander peoples through the documentary series Blue Water Empire. It contains background information about the Torres Strait Islander peoples and their country to support you in viewing this episode and exploring the topics with your students.

Episode 3 examines the role of Torres Strait Islander peoples in World War 2 before looking at how Torres Strait Islander peoples have moved around Australia in search of work. It explores issues of racism and discrimination against Torres Strait Islander peoples and the stories of George Mye and Eddie Mabo and their fight for freedoms and rights for Torres Strait Islander peoples, and how these struggles continue into the present.

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Lesson details

Australian Curriculum (v8.4) content descriptions:

Year 8 Geography, Civics & Citizenship

Reasons for, and effects of, internal migration in both Australia and China (ACHGK056)
Different perspectives about Australia’s national identity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and what it means to be Australian (ACHCK066)

Year 10 History and Civics & Citizenship

Background to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for rights and freedoms before 1965, including the 1938 Day of Mourning and the Stolen Generations (ACDSEH104)
The significance of the following for the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: 1962 right to vote federally; 1967 Referendum; Reconciliation; Mabo decision; Bringing Them Home Report (the Stolen Generations), the Apology (ACDSEH106)
Methods used by civil rights activists to achieve change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and the role of ONE individual or group in the struggle (ACDSEH134)
The continuing nature of efforts to secure civil rights and freedoms in Australia and throughout the world, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) (ACDSEH143)
The role of the High Court, including in interpreting the Constitution (ACHCK092)
How Australia’s international legal obligations shape Australian law and government policies, including in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACHCK093)

NSW Syllabus outcomes: GE4-4, GE5-3, GE5-4, COM4.2, COM4.3, HT5-2, HT5-3

General capabilities: Intercultural Understanding, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking.

Cross-curriculum Priorities:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures: OI.1, OI.2, OI.3, OI.4, OI.5, OI.6, OI.7, OI.8, OI.9
Sustainability: OI.2, OI.7, OI.8, OI.9

Level of teacher scaffolding: Moderate - The information presented can help support you in facilitating classroom discussions.

Device capable of presenting a website to the class

Blue Water Empire is a 3-part dramatised documentary series that gives a unique insight into the history of the Torres Strait Islands. Cool.org and Bunya Productions would like to acknowledge the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Screen Queensland and The Indigenous Department of Screen Australia for their support in developing these teaching resources.

If your school has access to ClickView, you can access the Blue Water Empire series here. You can also purchase the first episode of Blue Water Empire here.

NOTE: This series has been given an M rating. You will need to follow your school protocols for screening an M film when viewing this series. This episode contains some brief scenes of violence that may upset some younger viewers; consider briefing students about the inclusion and content of these scenes before viewing them with the class.

Blue Water Empire - Episode 3

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