Welcome to the education resource section for Talking Machines. This project was initiated in part as the result demonstrated demand for Australian content which complemented the Stage 5 HSIE Syllabus relating to the Industrial Revolution.

As a result 43 films have been developed which tell the story of machinery in the Riverina and its impact on social and economic development. This is a story which relates to most of rural Australia and can be applied to communities everywhere. Teachers can access films to supplement class content and also have the opportunity to use primary source material located in our eleven community museums across the region.

Talking Machines shares 43 unique stories via short film and alongside those stories sit a Stage 5 HSIE Education Resource – these can be accessed by searching geographically or by theme from the listing page. Alternately, the listing below contains links which will take you to your selected film and accompanying education notes.

For Stage 1 & 2 teachers, we have developed resource materials which relate to the HSIE History & Geography curriculum outcomes. The films used feature Bill Browne, a Weethalle-based farmer who persisted in using horses to farm his land long after the introduction of machinery and is great illustration of change and continuity – of the landscape, technology and in society.

Stage 1 & 2 Education Resources

Stage 1 Education Resource:
Mallee Roller
Mallee Roller- Weethalle (243KB)

Stage 2 Education Resource:
Mallee Roller
Mallee Roller- Weethalle (242KB)

Stage 5 HSIE Education Resources

Our thanks to the NSW Department of Education for their assistance with the resource development.