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discourses of British superiority are more clearly articulated and given symbolic reverence.
This poem, a type of “war song” (Department of Public Instruction, 1913a, p. 102) uses
language that clearly articulates pride for Great Britain, or Britannia, in having a formidable
ocean presence through the mariners (Navy). Significant words used to describe the mariners
and their actions that reinforce this include: “guard our native seas”; “match another foe”; and
“Where Blake and mighty Nelson fell” (Department of Public Instruction, 1913a, p. 102).
Symbolic reverence is evident through the following phrases: “flag has braved”; “glorious
standard”; and “meteor flag of England” (Department of Public Instruction, 1913a, p. 102).
Battles fought by England as an independent country (as distinct from including Scotland,
Wales and North Ireland) or as a combined Great Britain feature in the school curriculum,
particularly the Readers at the time. In addition, they are not given any context, for example
The Six Brave Men of Calais (Department of Public Instruction 1914, pp. 158-162) is part of
the Hundred Years’ War; however this is presented as completely separate battles devoid of
historical context. Whilst it could be argued that as these narratives are included in Readers
rather than history textbooks, which is why a context may not occur, this presents as a
limitation in mediating a deep understanding of historically important topics, especially
connected with British heritages. Instead by the contexts of the battles being silenced a blind
patriotism is promoted.
Interestingly, the Boer War (1899-1902) is rarely mentioned in textbooks from this era,
which is a significant omission as it has occurred more recently than other battles covered;
and Australia was involved in this conflict. Considering six VCs were awarded during the
Boer War, it is unexpected that in the 1913 Queensland readers: Book V, in a lesson
dedicated to “The Victoria Cross”, (Department of Public Instruction, 1913b, p. 60-63) no
mention is made of Australians being awarded it. Instead a biography by George John
Whyte-Melville is given of Major Charles Crawford Fraser VC, an English recipient.
Considering that the first Australian, Captain Sir Neville Howse VC, had been awarded the
Victoria Cross in 1900, it seems unusual that no mention is made of this, especially as one of
the purposes of the Readers was to provide local, Australian content for school students.
5.5 Category 2: Australia’s Emotional Allegiance to Great Britain
Given the socio-political context of the era, with Australia having only separated from Great
Britain in order to form a Federation in 1901, it is perhaps not surprising that this category is
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