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unlike other textbooks which discuss Europe, where Great Britain would be more
appropriate and historically accurate.
7.14.6 Summary remarks.
Throughout the textbooks analysed for this era, overall British heritages are included in a
fairly ad-hoc and abbreviated way, included only where it seems absolutely vital, ignoring the
role of Great Britain in both the early colonisation period of Australia beginning 1788 and the
move for Australia to Federate in 1901. This is at the expense of accurate information about
Australia’s political and cultural heritage. During this time, being the lead up to the 1988
Bicentennial, it is as though a very distinct Australian-ness is being established (which is
reflective of dominant public discourses), independent of any overseas influence, especially
Great Britain.
Unlike the discourses analysed in textbooks from earlier in the 20 th century, there is no sense
of pride, origin or homing thoughts in textbooks leading up to the 1988 Bicentennial. Instead,
where examples of nationalism or patriotism are evident, it is to Australia. However even this
is communicated in a very laid-back way, with for example, the focus in the Primary Social
Studies sourcebook year 7 being a look at “Aussie English” (Department of Education,
1988b, p. 28) Australian colloquial language, Australian literature within an activity titled
“Our heritage” (Department of Education, 1988b, p. 27), and “The ‘typical’ Australian”
(Department of Education, 1988b, p. 34).
Not all textbooks systematically omit British heritages from the core content. For example, in
a break away from lack of representations of British heritages commonly found in textbooks
during this era, The modern world emerges (Lawrence et al., 1986) contains numerous
examples of British heritages in the curriculum. The influence and impact of Britain on
Australia, especially in the early colonial period is clearly communicated to students, and it is
not washed over by a vague ‘European’ terminology. Rather than try to ignore the influence
Great Britain has had in Australia, particularly in terms of political and social terms, this
textbook includes these without a glorification of this relationship; instead critiquing
significant moments in the Australian-Great Britain relationship such as the conscription
debates from WWI and Australia’s border protection and defence in WWII. The influence of
Great Britain is not overstated, nor does it shy away from acknowledging its influence on
Australia, particularly in the pre-WWII years.
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