Just Another Outlaw? at Old Melbourne Gaol
Students learn through the history of the Gaol about the key moments in Melbourne's cultural and social history.
Students will be transported back in time to witness the harsh day-to-day life of inmates, learning about everything from their food allowances to the rules they had to follow. Students will encounter case studies both devastating and dastardly, with inmates charged with vagrancy (homelessness) being housed alongside bushrangers and murderers.
About the Program
Explore the legend of Ned Kelly through object-based learning with this hands-on discovery trail. Understand the story of the famed bushranger and explore the Old Melbourne Gaol to discover evidence and decide whether Ned was simply another outlaw, or something more. Students will engage with primary and secondary sources, both trustworthy and biased, within the Old Melbourne Gaol to determine their point of view, using the evidence to create an argument either supporting or refuting the statement “Ned Kelly was just another outlaw”.
| Subject | Strand | Sub-strand | Content descriptions | Students will… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | Historical knowledge and understanding | Australia (1800–1900) | the continuities and changes associated with significant developments or events on a colony | Discover the consequences of the Gold Rush on Melbourne including the boom and bust. |
| VC2HH6K03 | ||||
| the role of significant individuals or groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, local-born colonists and migrants, on the development of or events in a colony | Examine the role of Ned Kelly in the development of the colony of Victoria. | |||
| VC2HH6K05 | ||||
| different interpretations of a significant historical development in a colony during the 19th century | Using historical stories and primary sources, students will develop and consider their response to the following statement: “Ned Kelly was just another outlaw.” | |||
| VC2HH6K06 | ||||
| Historical Concepts and Skills | Historical Questions | ask and develop historical questions to direct historical investigations | Ask their guide questions to inform an argument for or against the statement: “Ned Kelly was just another outlaw.” | |
| VC2HH6S01 | ||||
| Civics and Citizenship | Knowledge and Understanding | Laws and Citizens | how and why laws are enforced and the roles and responsibilities of key institutions, such as the police, courts and other parts of the legal system | Understand the role that police play in the enforcement of law. |
| VC2HC6K04 |
Program Details
Monday to Friday during school terms
1 hour
15-30 students per session
Teacher/carer:student ratio: 1:12
Social script for parents and teachers of students on the autism spectrum.
Teachers will receive a detailed resource pack that includes suggested pre- and post-visit activities upon booking.
$14 per student
Click here to access the Task Risk Assessment.
The ground floor of the gaol is accessible, the two upper floors are accessible only by staircase.
To book, complete the Online Booking Form. For enquiries, email [email protected] or phone (03) 9656 9889.
Old Melbourne Gaol
377 Russell Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
A fabulous and informative tour that aligns with learning about Australian history.
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