The State Library’s rich collections tell the stories of Western Australia. The following resources have been created using the primary sources materials from the Library’s collections and aim to assist teachers in delivering the curriculum.
See My Hat!
What is the purpose of a hat? When is it worn? There are so many uses for the hat: dress-up hats, uniform hats, safety hats and fashion accessories. Hats are a form of shelter from the elements. Have hats changed over time? Have they always had the same purpose?
The See My Hat! online resource is an introduction to past and present life and how it is communicated through sources, such as photographs. Featuring photographs from the State Library of WA’s collections, this resource introduces students to how photographs can be used as primary sources in historical inquiry.
Time for Tea
Picnics, tea parties and teddy bears have been a memorable part of many a childhood; teddy bear picnics, toy tea sets and picnics with family and friends on a sunny day. The taking of tea has ongoing significance in many cultures, whether it is a cup of tea with a friend or a traditional tea ceremony. But has it always been this way? Did our ancestors enjoy picnics, tea parties and teddy bears too?
The Time for Tea online resource is an introduction to past and present life and how it is communicated through sources, such a photographs. It explores types of play, culture and traditions and how daily life may have changed or stayed the same over time. Featuring photographs from the State Library of WA’s collections, Time for Tea introduces students to how photographs can be used as primary sources in historical inquiry.
Better Beginnings
Every school in WA is eligible to participate in the Better Beginnings Kindergarten program. Through this program, each kindergarten student at your school will receive a free reading pack. The reading packs are a high-quality literacy resource for WA families, which promote the value of reading together every day.
Historical Panoramas
The Historical Panoramas project provides a unique and visually dramatic way to explore the development of Perth and Fremantle from the 1860s. The virtual tour provides visitors with the ability to explore several panoramic locations around Perth and Fremantle allowing users to explore locations and compare changes over different time periods
Fun with Fairy Tales
A box of fairy tale props, a digital camera and imagination is all that is needed to have fun with fairy tales.
Resources for ideas on how to explore narrative structure:
Fun With Fairy Tales Classroom Resource [ PDF 372KB ]
Chatterbox Fairytale [ PDF 3MB ]
Jack and the Beanstalk [ PDF 1MB ]
OldPerth
Navigate through space and time with the OldPerth education resource. A project created in cooperation with Curtin University HIVE that geotags locations of thousands of State Library images with an interactive map. This resource includes lesson plans for teachers and classroom activities that link with the study of geography component of the year 5 Humanities and Social Science syllabus.
Western Australia and Federation
Western Australia’s path to Federation was not a smooth one. Opinions about whether to join the Commonwealth were sharply divided between long term residents and newer arrivals. The Western Australia and Federation classroom resource explores the issues leading up to and directly after Federation, from a Western Australian perspective.
WA Migration Stories
Western Australia is rich with stories of people who have migrated here, and the State Library plays an important role in sharing these stories and recording the impact of migration through its collections. The WA Migration Stories resource is an introduction to Western Australia’s migration history which aims to support classroom learning relating to the movement of people to WA.
Migration Stories Northbridge Walking Trail
The history of Northbridge has been formed by more waves of migration than any other area of Western Australia; this rich, ethnic diversity has shaped its character. Download this Migration Stories Northbridge Walking Trail (PDF) and explore the city of Perth’s migrant heritage on this self-guided walking trail.
This self-guided walking trail is 1-hour duration.
Migration Stories Western Australian Cameleer's Walking Trail
More than 150 years ago, camels and the men who cared for them were a familiar sight along the tracks connecting Australia's outback to its settler colonies. Download this Migration Stories Western Australian Cameleer's Walking Trail (PDF) and walk in the footsteps of the cameleers of WA.
This self-guided walking trail is 1-hour duration.
Swan River Colony City Walking Trail
This downloadable Swan River Colonial Walking Trail (PDF) is an introduction to the history of the area from colonisation in 1829 to the early 20th Century. Explore Perth’s colonial heritage as you walk in the footsteps of our early colonists. This self-guided walking trail is 1-hour duration.
Swan River Colony City Walking Trail [ PDF 5MB ]
Creating Perth Walking Trail
The Perth Cultural Centre is a place with many layers of history. Some of these layers are visible and other layers are more obscure or hidden. Use the QR Code trail map to explore the history of the area and reveal historical photographs of each location, in this walking trail. This self-guided walking trail is 1-hour duration.
Creating Perth Walking Trail [ PDF 7MB ]
Historical Panoramas
The Historical Panoramas project provides a unique and visually dramatic way to explore the development of Perth and Fremantle from the 1860s. The virtual tour provides visitors with the ability to explore several panoramic locations around Perth and Fremantle allowing users to explore locations and compare changes over different time periods.
The Freycinet Collection: Teacher Resource
The Freycinet Collection of the State Library of Western Australia is a series of eighteen drawings, engravings and watercolours.
This teacher resource was created for students to develop an understanding of the early French exploration of the Western Australian coastline and engage with primary source materials from this exploration.
Freycinet Teacher Resource [ PDF 9MB ]
Language Resources
The State Library collects Western Australian materials in languages other than English. Teacher resources have been developed based on these heritage collections for use by language teachers. The resources suggest learning activities that use materials from the State Library’s collections, which support language development and understanding of different cultural groups.
Gnarla Boodja Mili Mili - Our Country on Paper
Maps with interactive features explore the Perth CBD (Boorlo or Burrell) area with Noongar perspectives. Aboriginal History (WA) has created an online map which acknowledges the Noongar place names. This resource identifies sites such as popular camping (kalla) and hunting grounds, natural landmarks and sacred places traditional to Noongar people as they moved amongst the lakes, coastal plain and hills following the six Noongar seasons.
They Served with Honour
Untold Stories of Western Australian Aboriginal Servicemen at Gallipoli
The Aboriginal History WA team has undertaken extensive genealogical and archival research to bring together this unique publication. In addition to bringing to life the stories of Western Australia's Aboriginal soldiers, They Served with Honour is a significant educational and historical resource adding to our understanding and awareness of the history of Western Australia and Australia.
The book is dedicated to the thirteen Western Australian Aboriginal Servicemen.
OldPerth
Navigate through space and time with the OldPerth education resource. A project created in cooperation with Curtin University HIVE that geotags locations of thousands of State Library images with an interactive map. This resource includes lesson plans for teachers and classroom activities that link with the study of geography component of the year 5 Humanities and Social Science syllabus.
Historical Panoramas
The Historical Panoramas project provides a unique and visually dramatic way to explore the development of Perth and Fremantle from the 1860s. The virtual tour provides visitors with the ability to explore several panoramic locations around Perth and Fremantle allowing users to explore locations and compare changes over different time periods.
The Freycinet Collection: Teacher Resource
The Freycinet Collection of the State Library of Western Australia is a series of eighteen drawings, engravings and watercolours.
This teacher resource was created for students to develop an understanding of the early French exploration of the Western Australian coastline and engage with primary source materials from this exploration.
Freycinet Teacher Resource [ PDF 9MB ]
Mining and Energy WA
Western Australia is world renowned for its mineral and energy wealth. The sector is a vital part of our shared heritage as Western Australians. It has played an important role in our state's economic, social and cultural development, past and present.
Explore the history of the mining and energy sector in West Australia through photographs, stories and documents from the State Library of Western Australia’s collections.
Language Resources
The State Library collects Western Australian materials in languages other than English. Teacher resources have been developed based on these heritage collections for use by language teachers. The resources suggest learning activities that use materials from the State Library’s collections, which support language development and understanding of different cultural groups.
Gnarla Boodja Mili Mili - Our Country on Paper
Maps with interactive features explore the Perth CBD (Boorlo or Burrell) area with Noongar perspectives. Aboriginal History (WA) has created an online map which acknowledges the Noongar place names. This resource identifies sites such as popular camping (kalla) and hunting grounds, natural landmarks and sacred places traditional to Noongar people as they moved amongst the lakes, coastal plain and hills following the six Noongar seasons.
They Served with Honour
Untold Stories of Western Australian Aboriginal Servicemen at Gallipoli
The Aboriginal History WA team has undertaken extensive genealogical and archival research to bring together this unique publication. In addition to bringing to life the stories of Western Australia's Aboriginal soldiers, They Served with Honour is a significant educational and historical resource adding to our understanding and awareness of the history of Western Australia and Australia.
The book is dedicated to the thirteen Western Australian Aboriginal Servicemen.
No Less Worthy
This publication acknowledges the significant contribution of Western Australian Aboriginal volunteers in World War One.
The Aboriginal History WA team has undertaken extensive genealogical and archival research to bring together the stories of the lives of Western Australian Aboriginal volunteers and soldiers.
“Many who sought to serve were not always accepted. The reasons for this are diverse and follow no consistent pattern. For those who survived the battlefield, the equality they experienced while fighting shoulder to shoulder with their non-Aboriginal mates was not always accorded to them on their return home.”- Dr Richard Walley OAM, Noongar Elder
Right Wrongs ’67 Referendum
This toolkit highlights some of the struggles endured by Aboriginal people in Western Australia, in their attempt to achieve equality. For the first time, the 1967 Referendum, the 1992 Mabo Decision, and the 1997 Bringing Them Home Report have been told from a uniquely Western Australian perspective.
The following links show how to research sources of different information, such as historical photographs and newspapers. These materials can be used to support discussion as primary historical evidence. As with all information, verify and cross check with alternative sources.
Videos explaining how to search the Catalogue for photographs and Trove for newspapers.
How do you find what you are searching for amongst the millions of images, maps, posters, newspapers, books, databases and directories in the State Library Catalogue? Learn how to dig in.
Picture book illustrations
With illustrations dating from 1920 to the present day, the Peter Williams Collection collection showcases the artistry and diversity of Australia’s picture books.