PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 1 E AAG AEE EAE GE · 2015. 2. 23. · E AAG AEE EAE GE PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 3 Versio 1 11 ecembe 2014 LEVEL Local: shire, city, rural city State

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 1

Version 1 - 11 December 2014

ABOUT THE AMAZING ADVENTURES

In these interactive stories, students have the opportunity to choose from four different characters (Shu, Spike, Jenny and Duncan). Each character faces a different challenge where they are given a number of choices about how to find a solution. Students must work together to figure out what decisions the character should make.

The interactive stories are designed to be experienced in a group or as a whole class. They differ from the interactive comics, which are designed to be experienced individually. They provide learning experiences for students that foster discussion and group problem solving. Each of the interactive stories uses a situation that students can relate to and takes place in a familiar location (local neighbourhood, beach, city and airport). The aim is to encourage students to consider real-life experiences and how they connect with the three levels of government.

GROUP FACILITATION

Students will get the most out of the interactive stories with a teacher facilitating discussion, encouraging collaboration and group problem solving and fostering connections with the three levels of government.

At each decision point, students should be encouraged to talk about the choices that are available and what the consequences might be if they made a particular choice. Groups should come to a consensus about the best course of action. Students should also think about the services and facilities that the character uses in the story and which of the three levels of government is responsible for the service/facility.

To assist with this, discussion questions and strategies for facilitation are provided. There are also follow up activities for students to encourage further exploration around how the stories relate to the three levels of government.

CURRICULUM LINKS

LEVEL

5 - 8

STRAND

Physical, personal and social learning

DOMAIN

Civics and citizenship

DIMENSION

Civic knowledge and understanding




FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• Defence • Trade • Foreign affairs • Immigration • Communications• Lighthouses • Quarantine • Currency • Bankruptcy • Copyright • Family Law• Pensions• Highways

STATE GOVERNMENT

• Law and order • Schools • Hospitals • Water • Transport • Agriculture • Forests• Energy• Major roads

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Building regulations• Waste management• Parks and gardens• Libraries• Swimming pools• Animal control• Local roads• Street lights

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS

In Australia we have three levels of Government: federal, state and local. The power is shared between these three levels. The Federal Government’s powers are set out in the Australian Constitution. It has exclusive powers in matters such as defence, foreign policy, currency, airports, immigration and communications.

Some powers are shared and both state and federal parliaments are able to make laws for these matters. If there is a conflicting law the federal law takes precedence. In practice, states and territories rely on the Commonwealth for financial grants to implement programs. This gives the Commonwealth significant power over the decisions that the states and territories make.

Local governments are responsible for services within a council area, however, they do not have constitutional independence. The Local Government Act 1989 of the Victorian Parliament gives the Victorian Parliament the power to expand or restrict the powers of local government.

Power is often shared between all three levels of government. Some examples where governance is shared are roads, environmental management and public health.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION




LEVEL Local: shire, city, rural city

State Commonwealth or federal

CROWN REPRESENTATIVE

- Governor Governor-General

LAW Local Laws State Commonwealth/federal

LEADER Mayor Premier Prime Minister

REVENUE Rates, state and federal grants

Taxes, federal grants Taxes

HEALTH Meals-on-wheels, garbage collection

Public hospitals, nursing services

Funding, Medicare, drug control

EDUCATION Childcare Funding - primary and secondary

Funding - post-secondary

TRANSPORT Footpaths, street signs Some railways and buses, roads

Highways, railways, airports, air safety

OTHER Libraries, pets Police, fire brigade, environment

Foreign affairs, immigration, pensions, post, arts

AUSTRALIA’S THREE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

Sourced from: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/education/Inside_Parliament_2014_small.pdf pp. 12

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/education/Inside_Parliament_2014_small.pdf




FURTHER INFORMATION

Parliament of Victoria www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliamentary-system

Australian Passport Officewww.passports.gov.au

Victorian Taxi Commissionwww.taxi.vic.gov.au

Public Transport Victoriawww.ptv.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Airportwww.melbourneairport.com.au

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Advice for travellers.www.smartraveller.gov.au

Department of Transport, Planning and Local InfrastructureGuide to local government.www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/guide-to-local-government

Department of Environment and Primary IndustriesLegal requirements for dog owners.www.depi.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/legal-requirements-for-dog-owners

Australian government Information about lighthouses.www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-lighthouses

Australian Maritime Safety AuthorityInformation about search and rescue services.www.amsa.gov.au/search-and-rescue/rcc/

Department of CommunicationsInformation about managing telecommunications.www.communications.gov.au

Department of State Development Business and InnovationWhere energy comes from.www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/energy/education-and-training

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliamentary-system

https://www.passports.gov.au

www.passports.gov.au

www.taxi.vic.gov.au

ptv.vic.gov.au

melbourneairport.com.au

www.smartraveller.gov.au

www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/guide

www.depi.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/legal

www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn

www.amsa.gov.au/search-and-rescue/rcc

www.communications.gov.au

www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/energy/education

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE: SHU



In this story, Shu is flying as an unaccompanied minor to Hong Kong to visit her grandparents. Students must help Shu deal with the challenges of losing her passport and communicating with another passenger.

Discussion around the responsibilities of the three levels of government in this story could include:

• Passports and international travel – federal government• Citizenship – federal government and local government for naturalisation.• Taxi services – state government• Public transport – state government• Airports – local, state and federal governments• Embassies and consulates – federal government

FACILITATION NOTES

At each decision point, students should be encouraged to talk about the choices that are available and what the consequences might be if they made a particular choice. Groups should come to a consensus about the best course of action. You may like to explore some of the options that students have decided not to choose to find out what happens and to read the information boxes that relate to the three levels of government. The following questions are provided to help facilitate discussion, decision making and making connections with the three levels of government:

Before viewing• What are the different services that airports provide? Who is responsible for these services?• What laws are there for Australians travelling overseas? Who makes these laws?• What types of problems might you encounter at the airport? Who would you ask to help you?• What experiences have you had at the airport? Did you encounter any problems? Who did you ask for

help?

While viewing• What services do Shu and her parents use? Which level of government is responsible for providing

these services?




• Why do we need a passport to travel overseas? What if we didn’t have passports?• Who issues passports and who can get an Australian passport?• Which decision is best considering Shu doesn’t have much time to get on her flight?• What are the rules for unaccompanied minors? Who makes these rules?

After viewing• As a group, how did you go about deciding on the right choices for Shu?• What else would you like to find out about the three levels of government?• What other problems might someone face travelling overseas and what services might they use to deal

with them? • What should Shu do if she lost her passport overseas? What services are available for Australians

overseas and who is responsible for them?

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES

1. Passports and citizenshipAsk students to do some further research on passports and citizenship. They should find out about how we get a passport, what information passports contain and who is responsible for issuing passports. They should also look at what it means to be a citizen, how we become a citizen and what rights citizenship gives us.

2. The three levels of governmentAsk students to create a diagram showing the three levels of government. Have students then consider the services that are shown in Shu’s story and use pictures and text to represent them in the diagram under the correct level of government. They could add to this diagram by including services shown in the other interactive stories.

LEARNING POINTS

HEADING CONTENT SCENE #

YOUR IDENTITY A passport is an internationally recognised identity document with your photograph and other information which says who you are. A passport is essential when you are travelling to another country. Some countries also require you to have a visa, which is permission for a particular trip and covers a particular time. Even a child needs a passport. A child is defined as someone under 18 years of age who has never married. Children cannot be included in an adult's passport. Each child, including a newborn infant, must be issued with their own passport. Children's passports are normally valid for five years.

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CATCH A TAXI The Taxi Services Commission is the regulator of the Victorian taxi and hire car industry. It controls the issuing of licenses to operate a taxi, and sets rules for how they can operate, such as not unreasonably refusing to take a passenger.

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TAKE THE BUS The SmartBus service is part of Melbourne’s public transport system. It comprises a network of buses operating on premium routes across Melbourne, including to Melbourne Airport. It has been designed to provide ‘orbital’ routes to complement Melbourne’s largely radial train and tram services. SmartBus services run more frequently and for longer hours than most other bus services.

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HELP FOR TRAVELLERS

The federal government provides consular services in most other countries. These services are there to provide help to Australian citizens when they are travelling or living overseas. They can assist you when you get into trouble with local police authorities, for example, or if you lose your travel documents or fall ill.

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HABITS AND CUS-TOMS

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. For many years it operated as a British colony, but was passed back to Chinese control in 1997. Though part of China, it has a degree of independence. Because of its history, Hong Kong is very sophisticated and cosmopolitan, blending the cultures of Asia and Europe. Its people are highly educated, very motivated and westernized. However, Chinese (Cantonese) habits and customs are dominant. An individual’s actions and reputation reflect positively or negatively on the entire family.

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LANGUAGES Cantonese Chinese is the dominant language spoken in Hong Kong, though because it was a British colony for part of its history, English is also widely understood.

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LANGUAGES Cantonese Chinese is the dominant language spoken in Hong Kong, though because it was a British colony for part of its history, English is also widely understood.

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NO OFFENCE It is always best to understand a little of the customs of a country you are visiting. It’s important not to offend local people. In Hong Kong, it is the custom to shake hands when meeting people - even children. Family members are greeted from oldest to youngest. It is polite to inquire about the health or activities of someone you are meeting. Hong Kong people are generally more reserved than Westerners about hugging and kissing in public. And pointing at someone is considered very rude!

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LEARNING POINTS

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE: SPIKE



In this story, Spike is at the beach with his dog Patch. Patch runs off and jumps into a boat, which drifts out to sea. Students must help Spike decide the best way to get his dog back.


• Pets and dogs on the beach – local government• Coastal environment – state government• Lighthouses – state and federal governments• Rescue coordination – state and federal governments

FACILITATION NOTES


Before viewing• What types of rules or laws are there about using the beach? Who makes these rules/laws?• What services are provided at beaches to keep us safe and manage the environment? Who provides

these services?• Have you ever had a problem at the beach? How did you deal with it? Who did you ask for help?

While viewing• Who is responsible for the safe movement of ships and boats on Victorian waters? What about when

boats travel a long way from the coastline? • Who is responsible for lighthouses in Victoria?• Which level of government makes the laws or rules about how people use the beach?• Why do you think it was the police that were able to help Spike and Patch?




After viewing• As a group, how did you go about deciding on the right choices for Spike?• What other problems might come up at the beach? How would you solve them?• What other rules/laws do you think are needed at the beach? Who would you approach to

change them?


1. Search and rescueAsk students to search for news items involving people (or animals) that have been rescued (they could use Google News and search for articles in Australia). Have students write down the rescue agency that was involved and find out which level of government is responsible for running it.

2. Coastline managementLocate an area of coastline on Google Maps. Discuss some of the landmarks on the map e.g. coastal park, wetlands, public golf course, marina etc. Ask students to choose one of the landmarks and find out which level of government is responsible for it. Have students report back to the class on what they have found.

LEARNING POINTS


PET OWNER Victoria has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. Owning pets can be a lot of fun, and pets can provide us with company, stress relief and unconditional love. Pet ownership also teaches children responsibility, and helps them develop their social and nurturing skills. Being a responsible owner ensures you and your pet can enjoy a long and happy relationship. The state government is responsible for laws about how animals should be treated; for example, prohibiting cruelty to animals.

S04

SAFETY AT SEA The Maritime Safety branch of Transport Safety Victoria is responsible for ensuring that vessels like ships and boats can operate safely on Victorian waters. It registers vessels, grants marine licenses, and certifies the competency of ships’ officers like the Captain. It can prosecute companies or officers for serious breaches of marine safety law.

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LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER

Australia has a coastline of 25,760 kilometers. There are over 350 lighthouses and navigational aids around the coastline, and a single inland lighthouse, the Point Malcolm lighthouse. The first lighthouse was Macquarie Lighthouse, which was lit in 1793 as a tripod-mounted wood and coal fired beacon. Only a few Australian lighthouses now have resident keepers; most run automatically.

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LEARNING POINTS


SHARING We all have to share our local environment with other people; none of us live on a desert island! That means we have to be considerate to other people. For example, it’s not good to make too much noise when people are sleeping, or to create problems for traffic by parking a car in the wrong place. Local government by-laws are rules intended to help us all get along together.

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SHIPS, TRUCKS AND TRAINS

The Port of Melbourne Corporation is the responsibility of the state government. The Port is one of the biggest in Australia, with world class facilities and services. The Port of Melbourne not only loads and unloads ships but also connects with trucks and trains to move cargo around Victoria.

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SEARCH AND RESCUE

The police are the search and rescue authority in each state and territory. Police forces are responsible for marine search and rescue operations for people or ships, including pleasure craft and fishing vessels, in waters within the limits of ports of the state/territory. Beyond the limits of the ports, (that is, out at sea), search and rescue is provided by the Rescue Coor-dination Centre, which is part of the federal Australian Mari-time Safety Authority.They also coordinate land searches for missing civil aircraft; and searches for missing hikers and land vehicles.

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LOCAL RULES There are restrictions on allowing dogs on the beach. You should know the local rules about the beach you want to use. Local authorities implement animal management programs and employ staff to carry out animal management duties. Fines of up to $500 can be applied to owners who allow their dogs to be a public nuisance.

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THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE: JENNY



In this story, Jenny decides to start a band with her friends. Students must help Jenny find a place that is suitable for the band to perform.


• Public libraries – local government• Post offices – federal government• Playgrounds – local government• Public transport – state government• Busking permits – local government• Schools – state government

FACILITATION NOTES


Before viewing• Where have you seen people busking around your neighbourhood? • Why do you think there are rules about where people can busk? Who makes these rules?• If you wanted to play music in public where might you play? What problems might you encounter?

While viewing• Around which public facilities did Jenny and her band try to play music? Which level of government

manages each of these public facilities?• Jenny and her band didn’t have any luck with the locations that they tried. Can you think of any solutions

to the problem?




After viewing• As a group, how did you go about deciding on the right choices for Jenny?• What are the rules about busking and playing music in public spaces in your local council area?• Who would you contact to find out the rules about busking in your area?


1. How to busk brochureAsk students to develop a brochure for young people wanting to busk in their area. Students should include who to contact for permits, places where busking is allowed and not allowed, and other conditions that the council asks buskers to follow.

2. Neighbourhood mapAsk students to create a map of the neighbourhood where Jenny’s band wanted to play. They should include all the buildings and places that were shown in the story (or others that they imagine would also be in the neighbourhood). For each place or building, have students use colours or symbols to indicate which level of government is responsible for managing it.

LEARNING POINTS


NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY

Public libraries across Victoria offer a wide range of services such as resources for research, holiday reading or using multimedia. Did you know that public libraries are operated by your local government?

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POST OFFICE Post offices are found in most towns and cities around Australia. Australia Post is a business operated by the federal government. It is responsible for delivering mail and parcels around Australia and internationally.

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SHARED PLACES How many sporting grounds, swimming pools, play grounds and parks are in your neighborhood? Your local government builds and looks after these facilities. To provide fair access to the whole community there are rules about how these places are used.

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COMMUTERS Bus, tram and railway services are the responsibility of the state government. Public transport in our cities and around regional Victoria is an essential community service.

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PLANNING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Your local government council provides community services for your neighborhood including - town planning and zoning rules (deciding what can be built where); bylaws (local rules about what activities are permitted in public spaces); management of parks and sporting facilities … and many others.

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LEARNING POINTS


SCHOOLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Did you know that the state government operates around 1590 government schools in Victoria, including both primary and secondary schools? As well as providing education, many schools also work with community groups to make use of their facilities outside school hours.

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SMART PHONES The term ‘telecommunications’ refers to ways of communicating with others using technologies such as telephones, television, radio, mobile devices and the Internet. The federal government is responsible for regulating telecommunications and for the treaties with other countries regarding access to the undersea cables and satellites which carry Internet data in and out of Australia.

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THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE: DUNCAN



In this story, Duncan gets lost while on holiday in Sydney. Students must help him make the right decisions to find his parents.


• Telecommunications – federal government• Police – state government• Social welfare services – state government• Electricity and other utilities – state government

FACILITATION NOTES


Before viewing• Have you ever been separated from your parents? How did you find them? Who did you ask for help?• What services do you know that help young people? Who provides these services?

While viewing• What types of technology are used for telecommunications? Which level of government regulates

telecommunications?• Which level of government manages the police force?• Which level of government is responsible for supplying electricity and other utilities like gas and water?

After viewing• As a group, how did you go about deciding on the right choices for Duncan?• What differences are there in the police force in different states?




• What types of telecommunications technology do you use? Who might you contact if you had a dispute with your provider?


1. The police forceAsk students to consider the pros and cons of having a police force managed by local councils or by the Federal government. Have students brainstorm ideas for each possibility using a PMI chart. Encourage students to discuss which level of government they think would be the most effective in managing the police force.

2. Managing communicationsAsk students to make a list of all the different types of communications that are managed by the Federal government. Encourage students to consider why communications are handled by the Federal government rather than local or state governments. Have students think of any types of communications that may be invented in the future and add them to the list.

LEARNING POINTS


LOOKING FOR SIGNS

Road and street signs help people to get where they need to go. Signs in the Rocks neighborhood are the responsibility of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

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SMART PHONES The term ‘telecommunications’ refers to ways of communicating with others using technologies such as telephones, television, radio, mobile devices and the Internet. The federal government is responsible for regulating telecommunications.

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HELP FROM THE POLICE

The New South Wales Police force was the first police force in Australia. The Rocks Police Station is located in the heart of the Sydney tourism precinct. Tourism is operated by the state government in NSW.

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HUNDREDS OF HOTELS

Tourism is operated by the state government in NSW. There are hundreds of popular hotels in the tourism precincts around Sydney.

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MISSING CHILDREN

If Duncan can’t find his hotel or his parents where will he go? If he doesn’t want help from the police he may need help from the social welfare agencies. Welfare agencies are supervised by the state government.

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SMART DRIVING Driving around in a car is not an effective way to find your way around. Street signs are helpful ... but not if you can’t remember the way to go.

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LEARNING POINTS


ENERGY AND ELECTRONICS

Look around you. How many things in the room are using electricity right now? What would happen if you had a black-out? Did you know that the state government is responsible for the supply of electricity, gas and water, these services are called utilities. The term ‘telecommunications’ refers to ways of communicating with others using technologies such as telephones, television, radio, mobile devices and the Internet. The federal government is responsible for regulating telecommunications.

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PMI CHART – POLICE FORCE

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA


LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT:

PLUSAdvantages of this level

of government handling the police force

MINUSDisadvantages of this level of government handling the

police force

INTERESTINGIdeas, areas for further investigation, questions

Documents

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 1 E AAG AEE EAE GE · 2015. 2. 23. · E AAG AEE EAE GE PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 3 Versio 1 11 ecembe 2014 LEVEL Local: shire, city, rural city State