Journey back in time to Brisbane’s colonial past and discover what life was like for inhabitants of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony and the Aboriginal peoples on whose land it was established.
This program references real personal stories and harsh realities experienced by the inhabitants of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony and the Aboriginal peoples on whose land it was established. It is an engaging way for students to journey back in time to Brisbane’s colonial past and discover what life was like.
Brisbane’s Convict Stories program draws on historical content from MoB’s award-winning Life in Irons exhibition. Students will engage with research material by Brisbane historians Dr Ray Kerkhove and Dr Jennifer Harrison, including a map of inner Brisbane prior to the first British Colony, and respond to historically significant maps and documents from the Queensland State Archives.
These elements, combined with a creative map-making activity, will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the landscape, the nature of the penal colony and its impact on the Aboriginal people of this place.
Investigation Workshop:
Students will investigate maps and documents from the British colony supplied by Queensland State Archives as well as objects related to that time period to uncover what life was like for convicts in the penal settlement.
Map Making Workshop:
Design your own Brisbane convict location using original maps and documents sourced from the Queensland State Archives. This workshop also includes the opportunity to examine the contemporary Map of inner Brisbane c1820, based on the research of Dr Ray Kerkhove.
City Hall Tour (Excursions only)
Discover the history and importance of the heritage-listed City Hall on a tour of the ‘People’s Place’. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the significant people and events that have impacted the city of Brisbane.