1898: Rowley

A young boy with tousled red hair sits on the ground, wearing a white collared shirt and a dark vest over brown trousers. He has a serious expression and wears black shoes, with a neutral background that enhances his appearance.

Rowley is a larrikin boy living in Sydney in 1898. He spends his days roaming the streets, dodging chores, and dreaming of adventure. His family struggles with poverty during the depression, and Rowley often finds himself in trouble with authority. Through his eyes, we glimpse the tensions of the 1890s: strikes, hardship, and the growing call for Federation. Rowley’s story highlights resilience, humour, and the everyday lives of working‑class families in a decade of change.

1890s Decade Overview

The 1890s were marked by economic depression, strikes, and the rise of the labour movement. After years of prosperity, a global downturn hit Australia hard; banks collapsed, unemployment soared, and poverty spread. Major strikes by maritime workers (1890) and shearers (1891) were defeated, leading workers to form political organisations, the Labor Leagues, that later became the Australian Labor Party. Amid hardship, the idea of Federation grew stronger, as colonies sought unity to manage immigration, defence, and trade. At the same time, First Nations Australians were excluded from negotiations, facing increasing restrictions and discriminatory policies.

1890 Maritime strike begins, exposing tensions between workers and employers.
1891 Shearers’ strike; defeat leads to creation of Labor Leagues. First draft of the Australian Constitution prepared.
1892–93 Banking collapse and economic depression deepen hardship.
1894 South Australian women gain the right to vote and stand for parliament—the first in Australia.
1897–98 Constitutional conventions held; Federation debates intensify.
1898 First referendum on Federation held in several colonies.
1899 Second referendum on Federation; majority support achieved. Boer War begins; Australian troops sent overseas.
1901 Federation achieved; Commonwealth of Australia proclaimed.

First Nations Focus:

While not foregrounded in this episode, students can explore how First Nations Australians were excluded from Federation negotiations and denied recognition in the Constitution. Colonial governments imposed restrictions on movement, employment, and cultural practices. Some leaders were given breastplates as symbolic titles, but these were imposed without consultation and reflected inequality rather than genuine respect. Despite exclusion, First Nations communities maintained cultural continuity through kinship, storytelling, and resilience. Their absence from Federation debates highlights the injustice of nation‑building that ignored the continent’s oldest custodians.

Provocation Question

What does it mean to build a nation, and whose voices are heard, or silenced in the process?

Tuning In

Watch Clip 1: 1,000 Good Deeds

In this clip, Rowley is working to complete his 1,000 good deeds. Rowley believes that completing 1,000 good deeds will bring his father home. He collects manure, firewood, and spies on private school cadets who are practising to become soldiers.

As a class, discuss the following questions:

What does Rowley’s “good deeds” book reveal about his hopes and family life?
Why were children expected to help with chores in the 1890s?
What does spying on cadets tell us about Federation and military training?

As a class, create a KWHL chart to explore what you Know and Wonder about Federation; How will you find out? And after your research is completed from the activities below, what have you Learned?

Create a class mind map of 1890s family life and children’s responsibilities.
Write a short reflection: “What would 1,000 good deeds mean in my family today?”

Finding Out

Watch Clip 2: Early Photography

In this clip, Rowley visits Mr Merry, a photographer and boarder in Rowley's house. Mr Merry gives Rowley a photograph of the brickworks where Rowley's father worked. His mother asks Rowley about his 'book of good deeds' and Rowley explains that when he gets to 1,000 his father will come home.

As a class, discuss the following questions?
• How did photography help families remember people and places?
• What does the brickworks photo reveal about work and community identity?
• Why does Rowley believe his deeds will bring his father back?

Choose one of the following activites:
• Option 1: Research early photography in Australia; create a timeline of photographic technology.
• Option 2: Analyse the brickworks photo: what does it show about work and industry?
• Option 3: Write a diary entry from Rowley’s perspective about his father and the photo

Sorting Out

Watch Clip 3: Workers' Rights

In this clip, Rowley tells his mother that he went to see the manager of the brickworks about getting his father a job. His mother eventually tells Rowley what caused Rowley's father to leave home. Rowley learns of his father's involvement in sticking up for the workers and his eventual sacking.

As a class, discuss the following questions:
• What does this reveal about workers’ struggles in the 1890s?
• How did strikes and unions shape family life?
• Should workers risk their jobs to stand up for rights?

In small groups, complete one of the following activities and then share your findings with the class:
• Option 1: Create a newspaper front page: “Workers Demand Fair Treatment in 1898”
• Option 2: Debate: “Should all workers receive equal recognition and protection?”
• Option 3: Use a Venn diagram to compare Rowley’s father’s struggle with modern workers’ rights. Discuss the similarities

Going Further

Watch Clip 4: Founding the ALP

In this clip, Rowley and Tom Müller visit Mr Merry when he is convening a meeting of the newly formed Labor Party. They are discussing the development of a new brickworks and are concerned with protecting the rights, health and safety of workers. Rowley and his mother discuss Rowley's father and his employment at the brickworks.

As a class, discuss the following questions:

• Why was the Labor Party founded in the 1890s?
• How did workers’ rights connect to Federation debates?
• What does Rowley’s father’s story tell us about courage and sacrifice?

In pairs, create a poster promoting worker's rights in 1898

Making Connections

Rowley’s story reveals how family, work, and activism shaped nationhood.

As a class, discuss the following questions:
• What does Federation mean to different people in Rowley’s world?
• Whose voices were heard in building the nation, and whose were silenced?
• How do stories of work and struggle shape civic identity?

In small groups, complete one of the following activities:
• Option 1: Create a podcast or letter about what Federation meant for families like Rowley’s
• Option 2: Interview an older family member about stories of work, strikes, or community survival
• Option 3: Design a “Federation Memory Board” with photos, stories, and reflections

Historical Inquiry Integration
• Compare perspectives of workers, women, migrants, and First Nations peoples
• Analyse how exclusion and activism shaped Federation
• Consider how you might use historical empathy to honour silenced voices.

Australian Curriculum Links

Explore how work, activism, and exclusion shaped civic identity and community life in the lead-up to Federation.

Year	Content Description	Inquiry Sprint Link + Student Activity Prompts	CCP Integration
Year 3	AC9HS3K02 Significance of individuals, events, places and developments in the local community	Tuning In: Explore Rowley’s “good deeds” and family roles. Create pictorial timelines of civic rituals and chores.	Explore civic rituals, family resilience, and community care
Year 3	AC9HS3K01 Importance of Country/Place to First Nations Australians	Finding Out: Investigate exclusion from Federation debates. Compare civic service and kinship care.	Honour cultural continuity and civic exclusion
Year 4	AC9HS4K01 Role of individuals, events and groups in shaping communities	Sorting Out: Analyse Rowley’s father’s activism. Use source evidence to explore workers’ rights and civic courage.	Explore civic resilience and shared memory
Year 4	AC9HS4K02 Changes in daily life and perspectives over time	Going Further: Compare family roles and activism across generations. Pose questions about hardship and civic pride.	Reflect on emotional and cultural continuity
Year 5	AC9HS5K02 Causes and effects of change in Australian society	Finding Out: Research strikes and the rise of the Labor Party. Interpret historical sources and discuss civic reform.	Examine civic responsibility and recognition
Year 5	AC9HS5K01 Significance of First Nations Australians’ experiences and contributions	Making Connections: Pose questions about exclusion from Federation. Use evidence to explore cultural resilience.	Honour silenced voices and civic pride
Year 6	AC9HS6K02 Significance of migration and cultural diversity in Australia	Making Connections: Investigate civic rituals and shared identity. Communicate findings through annotated maps or visual timelines.	Link Federation to cultural inclusion and belonging
Year 6	AC9HS6K01 Key historical events and developments shaping Australian society	Going Further: Pose questions about Federation and activism. Analyse sources and share interpretations through dramatic performance.	Explore civic values and community care

Explore how work, activism, and civic identity shape character development, emotional resilience, and storytelling in 1890s Australia.

Year	Content Description	Inquiry Sprint Link + Student Activity Prompts	Thematic Integration
Year 3	AC9E3LE01 Respond to literary texts by sharing personal connections and reflections	Tuning In: Reflect on Rowley’s “good deeds.” Write a short response: “What would I do to bring someone home?”	Family · Civic Identity
Year 3	AC9E3LY06 Create imaginative texts with characters and settings	Going Further: Write a short story or comic strip imagining Rowley’s chores or spying on cadets.	Courage · Family
Year 4	AC9E4LE01 Analyse characters’ feelings, motivations and actions	Finding Out: Compare Rowley’s hope with Evelyn’s grief. Use a character map to track emotions and decisions.	Grief · Family
Year 4	AC9E4LY06 Create persuasive and reflective texts	Making Connections: Write a persuasive letter to Mr Merry or a civic leader about workers’ rights.	Civic Identity Courage
Year 5	AC9E5LE01 Analyse how historical and cultural contexts shape characters and events	Sorting Out: Explore Rowley’s father’s activism. Write a journal entry from his perspective.	Work Civic Identity
Year 5	AC9E5LY06 Create multimodal texts using narrative and informative elements	Going Further: Create a podcast or digital slideshow about Rowley’s family and community care.	Family Civic Identity
Year 6	AC9E6LE01 Respond to texts shaped by historical and cultural contexts	Making Connections: Reflect on Federation and exclusion. Write a commemorative poem or speech.	Nationhood Exclusion
Year 6	AC9E6LY06 Create texts that integrate ideas and perspectives	Taking Action: Design a class anthology of Federation stories. Include student-written pieces inspired by Rowley’s episode.	Memory Courage Community

Country/Place: Compare Rowley’s family survival strategies with First Nations kinship and cultural continuity, especially during exclusion from Federation.

Culture: Explore storytelling, resilience, and civic pride across communities, highlighting how First Nations voices were silenced in Federation debates.

People: Recognise the role of Elders, workers, and community leaders in shaping values, resilience, and civic responsibility.

Asia and its Diversity: Use Federation-era migration and labour debates to explore cultural contribution and diversity.

Achievements and Contributions: Celebrate the roles of migrant and working-class families in shaping civic life and activism.

Asia/Australia Connections: Reflect on how civic rituals, activism, and storytelling foster belonging and shared identity across cultures.