‘Giving space to the voices of the past’: My Place site updated

Curator and writer Jennifer Forest has collaborated with ACTF First Nations Designer April Phillips to update content in the My Place for Teachers decade timeline, aiming to better represent diverse voices from Australia’s past. 

As an organisation marking its 40^th year in 2022, the ACTF recognises the need to critically reflect on our educational materials and periodically update these to align with contemporary knowledge, pedagogy and practice. From this position, the Learning team has begun a staged audit and refresh of the comprehensive My Place for Teachers website. This work commenced with updates for the site’s decade timeline.

Acknowledging that history is a contested space, curator and writer Jennifer Frost and ACTF First Nations Designer April Phillips sought to make visible some lesser known stories from our country’s past. This includes stories and events centred on women, young people and a more inclusive lens on our immigration stories.

The accurate representation of First Nations stories, events and achievements throughout history was also key in this review. Refreshed timeline content balances the accomplishments of First Nations people with the need for truth telling regarding traumatic events from the past. This content considers history from the perspective of First Nations people, and names individuals, peoples and nations where possible to celebrate diversity and avoid generalisations. Writers also steered away from past tense language to celebrate our nation’s continuous cultures.

Reflecting on the importance of this review, Jennifer commented: "So much of our work in the history space over recent decades has been about authenticity and revelation. It's been about revealing the invisible stories that weren't taught or spoken about, and asking why. It's been about giving space to the voices of the past, the underrepresented people who were always there - questioning, challenging, seeking a better way of treating each other. It's been so much about facing the reality of the past to create a better future for all."

Find the updated decade timeline content on the My Place for Teachers site now, including an additional decade summary for the 2010s. 

Teachers, we welcome feedback on all ACTF resources and events. To share your thoughts on our My Place update, please email: education@actf.com.au.