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Video Clip Synopsis:
125 million sheep are spread across Australia. 90 thousand tons of lamb and 3 million tons of wool are exported annually. Australia truly rode to prosperity on the sheep’s back.
Duration:
1min 20sec
The Post War Wool Boom is an excerpt from the film Men and Mobs (20 mins), produced in 1947.
Men and Mobs: Sheep and the Australian economy cannot be separated. Men and Mobs relates the growth of Australia’s flocks, starting with the few Spanish merinos that John Macarthur mated to the progeny of Indian sheep brought out by founder Captain Philip. Using song and anecdote, the film builds up the story of the men and mobs of sheep that provide fleece for our textile mills and materials for clothing a nation.
Men and Mobs is a National Film Board Production. Produced by the Department of Information for the Commonwealth Department of Commerce and Agriculture.
Curriculum Focus: SOSE/HSIE
Year: 9-10
Strand: Geography / Space and Place
Theme: Environment & Work
Economy: Environment; Sustainability; Propaganda; Change; Values
ACT: | Place and space – Environmental impacts |
NSW: | History Stage 5, Topic 3B, Topic 7A Geography Stage 5, 5A4 |
NT: | Environment 5.2, 5+.2 |
Qld: | 9/10 Civics – Place and space 5.2, 6.1 9/10 Geography – Time, continuity and change D6.4 – Place and space 6.2, 6.3 – Systems, resources and power 5.4 9/10 History – Systems, resources and power 5.1 |
SA: | Time, continuity and change 5.3 Place, space and environment 5.5 Social systems 5.10 |
Tas: | World Futures – Creating sustainable futures. Standard 5 |
Vic: | History 6.2 Geography 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 ext Economy and society 6.5 ext |
WA: | Place and space |
In 1945 World War 2 ended. The Australian economy had been greatly affected by the war. The disruption of international shipping had forced Australia to develop its own manufacturing industries, rather than rely on imports from overseas. However, Australia's main export revenue still came very much from its primary products, with wool the most significant component. Wool at this time was the backbone industry in the Australian economy. The post war wool boom led Australians into a brighter future. "We rode to prosperity on the sheep's back." It was this more secure financial environment which gave the baby boomers a start to a far easier life than their parents.
Sheep, drovers, stockmen and the Kelpie dog are a rich part of our cultural heritage. Waltzing Matilda is our alternative national anthem. Sheep and the environment have been the subject of many Australian paintings. Our fine merino wool is used in sought-after fashion wool garments here and overseas.
SOSE/HSIE Year 9-10, SOSE/HSIE Year 7-8, The Arts Year 11-12