RIC-0667 Aboriginal Cult 5-6

Aboriginal Life Today
Teachers Notes
• Read the information on page 12. It is important to make children aware of
the difference between traditional Aboriginal people of long ago, and
Aboriginal people of today. You can do this with pictures.
• Inform the class that Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for many
years. Talk about how they lived and ate, their shelter etc.
• Ask ‘Do the Aboriginal people living in Australia today still live like this?’
Accept all answers and discuss them.
• Read the story about Ernie Dingo. Prompt students to share their feelings
on the story.
• You may wish to show them a taped session of The Great Outdoors to see
Ernie Dingo on television.
• On a large chart, have students brainstorm some physical characteristics of
Ernie Dingo; for example, hair colour, skin colour etc.
• Complete the worksheet.
Story
Ernie Dingo is a popular Aboriginal personality. He was born on 31 July 1956
on a station in Western Australia. This station was called Bullardoo. Ernie also
has an Aboriginal name. It is Oondamooroo. This name means ‘shield’. When
he was a young boy, Ernie lived in a town called Mullewa, in Western Australia
and went to school there. As he grew older, Ernie went to live in Perth. It was
here that he became a performer. Ernie is married, and has two children. Ernie
has made many movies and television programs. He is best known as one of
the hosts of the TV show The Great Outdoors.
Answers
1. Aboriginal, station, shield, two, movies/films
• Read the information sheet to the class. Discuss their feelings and responses.
• Inform the class there are many different people from different cultures living
in Australia today. Make a list of some of these cultures on the board.
• If there are children in your class who have a different cultural background,
they may wish to talk a little about their culture.
• Inform the class there are also many Aboriginal people who live in Australia
today. Ask the class if they know of any.
• Read the story on Cathy Freeman to the class. Encourage students to share
their feelings by retelling the story to you.
• Display pictures of Cathy Freeman lighting the cauldron at the Sydney
Olympics. Focus on her face and have the students brainstorm some of the
emotions she may have been feeling at the time.
• Complete the worksheet.
Story
Cathy Freeman is a popular Aboriginal Australian athlete. She was born at
Mackay in Queensland in 1973 and still lives in Australia. Cathy has won many
running races and trophies.
Cathy won a gold medal for running the 400 m at the Sydney Olympics in
2000. Cathy says her greatest moment was when she lit the big cauldron at
the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. She feels strongly about her Aboriginal
culture and heritage.
Answers
1. (a) No (b) Yes (c) Yes (d) No (e) No (f) Yes
Ernie Dingo
(page 17)
Cathy Freeman
(page 18)
©R.I.C. Publications
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In the Past
www.ricgroup.com.au R.I.C. Publications 15Australian Aboriginal Culture 15
ISBN 978-1-86311-807-1