Skip to main content

Federating Australia

Years 5–6

What is Federation? Why did Australia’s colonies join together? Find out about the Federation of Australia in 1901.

Activities

Choose a key person in the path to Federation (such as Sir Henry Parkes, Edmund Barton, George Reid) and present their contribution to Federation to your class in a creative way. You could do this with a poem, song, cartoon strip or a play.

Sir Henry Parkes is often called the ‘Father of Federation’. Write a persuasive speech to convince your teacher why you agree or disagree with this description.

Australian Curriculum links

Year 6 History

Key figures, events and ideas that led to Australia’s Federation and Constitution (ACHASSK134)

Year 5 Civics and Citizenship

How people with shared beliefs and values work together to achieve a civic goal (ACHASSK118)

Year 6 Civics and Citizenship

The shared values of Australian citizenship and the formal rights and responsibilities of Australian citizens (ACHASSK147)