BUCKLEY
Relevant CSF and VELS
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History
CSF: Level 6
VELS: Level 5/6 Historical Knowledge & Understanding/ Historical Reasoning & Interpretation

European occupation/colonisation of Australia including the perspective of that occupation as invasion; issue of recognition of native title and historical foundations of land rights; impact on Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander communities.

This show is useful to students developing the ability to frame research questions and other related skills of Historical Reasoning and Interpretation, though the show's consideration of the alternatives Buckley faces at various points of his narrative.

With Victoria as the focus, BUCKLEY is relevant to the above areas as follows:
- Through William Buckley as the Interpreter for the Port Phillip Association and later for Capt. Lonsdale (1835-7), the story of Melbourne's birth is told, including the roles played by John Batman and John Fawkner.
- Also documented is the 1803 attempt at colonizing Port Phillip, with the penal settlement at Sullivan Bay (Sorrento) from which Buckley escaped.
- By examining the nature and intent of Batman's deed with the Woiwurrung, particularly in the light of Gov. Bourke voiding the deed, the show asks questions, such as, 'Had the deed stood, would Native Title have been established in 1835?'
- Because Buckley lived in 'Victoria' both before and after it's colonization, he is uniquely placed to give us a picture of the 'before and after' of the place we all now live, as well as the Aboriginal sensibility to the coming of white man. For instance, the Wathaurong welcomed Buckley as a spirit returned from the dead, but later had plans to demolish Batman's party, regarding it as an invasion.

In all of the above, William Buckley's perspective is important, because he lived both as an Englishman and Koori.

English
CSF Level 5
VELS Level 5 Speaking & Listening

BUCKLEY employs various forms of storytelling - straight narrative, yarn-spinning, dialogue, poetry, characters, questioning to the audience to invite them into the story, and official documents - and is therefore relavant to many of the Curriculum Focus points listed under Linguistic structures and features. As a listening show it is also useful in developing Strategies for students to listen to the spoken texts and to identify strategies used to influence a particular audience.

Drama
CSF Level 5/6
VELS Level 5/6 Exploring & Responding

In Arts Practice, BUCKLEY as storytelling theatre - non-naturalistic and with the use of visual and textual props - is relevant to the study of the ways in which scenes/plays are developed and the development of character.

It is possible to use BUCKLEY for a discussion of the styles and conventions that are employed in this show, and to evaluate and discuss responses to the work.

Because students join Jan on stage, the show addresses a curriculum area of acting skills, and Level 6 may do a review of the piece.