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
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 2
Version 1 - 11 December 2014
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
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 3
Version 1 - 11 December 2014
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
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 4
Version 1 - 11 December 2014
FURTHER INFORMATION
Parliament of Victoria
www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliamentary-system
Australian Passport Office
www.passports.gov.au
Victorian Taxi Commission
www.taxi.vic.gov.au
Public Transport Victoria
www.ptv.vic.gov.au
Melbourne Airport
www.melbourneairport.com.au
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Advice for travellers.
www.smartraveller.gov.au
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
Guide to local government.
www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/guide-to-local-government
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
Legal 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 Authority
Information about search and rescue services.
www.amsa.gov.au/search-and-rescue/rcc/
Department of Communications
Information about managing telecommunications.
www.communications.gov.au
Department of State Development Business and Innovation
Where 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
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 5
Version 1 - 11 December 2014
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?
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES TEACHER’S GUIDE: SHU
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PAGE 6
Version 1 - 11 December 2014
• 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 pro
