Living Country
See how the lives of First Peoples in south-eastern Australia are shaped by Culture, Country, and Place.
This self-guided program allows students to experience the space as intended by the Yulendj group of Elders and respected Community members.
External learning materials are not permitted during the time of your booking in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Please respect and follow the voices of First Peoples in their space by utilising the provided booklet.
Students will experience
- See important cultural items and read their accompanying stories.
- Enter Bunjil’s nest to experience the creation story as told by the Kulin community.
- A journey through 2000 generations of farming, trade, ceremony, and creativity.
- Interaction with our activity table, a chance to practice some of the language and skills essential to south-eastern Australia’s First Peoples.
- A walk through Milarri Gardens to see plants and animals significant to south-eastern Australia.
Students will learn
- About the diversity of the First Peoples of Australia.
- The ways of life of the First Peoples of South-East Australia.
- The innovations and tools developed by First Peoples for farming practices.
- How children played and learnt from their parents.
- Some of the ways First Peoples use native plants seen in Milarri Garden.
Students will be provided
- With a trail booklet to guide them through the exhibition. Use this booklet back in the classroom to extend learning and reflect on the day.
- Teachers should follow the trail on the map included in the booklet.
Students will need
- Before visiting Bunjilaka, students should watch the Bunjilaka introduction video:
Other key information
- Teachers may want to watch the videos from the Bunjilaka website, in particular First Peoples Creation Cinema and Representing diversity.
- Students will NOT require any pens or pencils. No writing implements are permitted in Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Availability
Terms 1–4, Monday to Friday
Duration: 30 minutes
Student information
Years F to 2
Maximum 30 students
Bookings
$8 per student + education service fee
Call 13 11 02 or submit an online booking request
Exhibition
Self-guided exhibition visit with provided activity
Victorian Curriculum Links
Geography: Foundation to Level 2
Places and our connections to them
- how places are identified and named, including by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (VC2HG2K02)
- the interconnections between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Country and Place, and the importance of Country and Place (VC2HG2K03)
History: Foundation to Level 2
Personal histories
- differences and similarities between students’ daily lives and how these have changed or remained the same over time (VC2HH2K03)
Intercultural capability: Foundation to Level 2
Cultural diversity
- cultural diversity in familiar places, including the school and/or local community (VC2CI2D01)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
Culture
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies are diverse and have distinct cultural expressions, such as language, customs and beliefs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural expressions, while also maintaining the right to control, protect and develop culture as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. (VC2CCPAC1)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of life reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing. (VC2CCPAC2)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people belong to the world’s oldest continuous cultures. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples demonstrate resilience in the maintenance, practice and revitalisation of culture despite the many historic and enduring impacts of colonisation, and they continue to celebrate and share the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures. (VC2CCPAC3)
People
- The significant and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their histories and cultures are acknowledged locally, nationally and globally. (VC2CCPAP3)
Accessibility
Please view our accessibility page for general information. A sensory map of Melbourne Museum can be found on our Visual Stories page where step-by-step visual and written access guides are available. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.
Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund
The Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund aims to enhance access to our museums (Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Immigration Museum), programs and events by offering free or subsidised education programs for eligible schools. Find out more about the fund.
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