Our Stories
Discover migration stories and learn about different cultures by interacting with museum objects.
This curriculum-aligned, interactive excursion deepens primary students’ understanding of Australia’s immigration history and First Peoples’ stories through museum objects. Guided by a museum facilitator, students handle authentic artefacts and objects from the museum’s collection, uncovering the personal stories and histories behind them.
Exploring different ways that stories can be told, students reflect on their own stories and consider creative ways to share them.
Students will experience
- Discovering immigration stories and a First Peoples’ story through hands-on learning.
- Closely observing parts of museum objects to develop their own interpretations.
- Working in small groups to share findings and piece together stories.
- Visiting the museum’s galleries after the workshop to apply and extend learning.
Students will learn
- About the Hmong community and the impacts of Vietnam War from a hand-made embroidered banner.
- About Eva Schubert, who migrated to Australia after World War Two, through her hand carved wood panel.
- About a Wemba Wemba (also spelled Wamba Wamba) and Barapa Barapa Elder and the cultural life of her community through her possum skin cloak.
- Ways of telling their own family histories.
Students will be provided
- All students will be provided with an education resource to guide their gallery visit and extend learning from the workshop.
Students will need
- Pen or pencil.
Other key information
- The length of this excursion is 75 minutes and includes a 30-minute workshop followed by a 45-minute gallery visit.
Availability
Terms 1–4, Monday to Thursday
Duration: 75 minutes
Student information
Years 3 to 4
Minimum 15 students
Maximum 30 students
Bookings
$11 per student + education service fee
Call 13 11 02 or submit an online booking request
Workshop
Presented by a museum educator
Victorian Curriculum Links
History: Levels 3 and 4
Community, remembrance and celebration
- the significance of Country and Place to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are connected to their area (VC2HH4K01)
- causes and consequences of changes in a local community and the contributions and experiences of people from diverse backgrounds to a local community (VC2HH4K02)
Historical questions
- ask a range of historical questions to identify evidence of the experiences of people in the past (VC2HH4S01)
Using historical sources
- describe perspectives of people from the past based on evidence from primary sources (VC2HH4S04)
Historical significance
- describe the significance of symbols, emblems, individuals, events and developments (VC2HH4S08)
Civics and Citizenship: Levels 3 and 4
Citizenship, diversity and identity
- diversity of cultural, religious and/or social groups to which they and others in the community belong, and their importance to identity (VC2HC4K06)
Intercultural Capability: Levels 3 and 4
Culture, identify and belonging
- similarities and differences among diverse cultures, including their own, and how cultural communities foster a sense of belonging and inclusion (VC2CI4C01)
- understandings that can be gained from intercultural experiences, including a critical perspective on, and respect for, diverse cultures, including their own (VC2CI4C02)
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 schools@museum.vic.gov.au 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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