BUCKLEY
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Format
Storytelling theatre that involves students as part of the show. (Scripts for 5 students to join Jan are sent in advance.)

Curriculum
This show has 2 versions, Secondary & Primary, with the pitch different to suit the different age groups.

History CSF Level 6 & VELS Level 5
Primary Level 4 History (Colonisation)
English CSF & VELS Level 5
Drama CSF & VELS Level 5/6

Summary
The story of escaped convict William Buckley: his 32 years with the Wathaurong, and as the go-between in the establishment of Melbourne.

Recommendations
"A visual and meaningful way to bring alive the story of the settlement of Victoria and to give students an understanding of the characters involved - Batman, Fawkner, Gellibrand and Derrimut as well as indigenous people . The stories were excellent. Very useful for curriculum." (St Joseph's College, Geelong)

"Excellent. It supported what we learnt in class, and the participation aspect was great! Jan's rapport with the students was commanding and credible, and they really enjoyed it." (Karingal Park SC, Frankston)

Description
BUCKLEY takes students on a journey into pre-colonial indigenous life, the colonization of Victoria and the establishment of Melbourne.

The story follows the life of William Buckley (1780-1856) from whom we have our saying, 'You've got Buckley's': his escape from Victoria's first penal settlement in 1803; his 32 years living with Wathaurong people in the Geelong area; his time as a go-between, negotiating between the white settlers and the Aborigines of the Port Phillip area during Victoria's initial years, 1835-37.

Students learn how Wathaurong Aboriginal people welcomed Buckley as the returned spirit of a dead warrior, and how, after thirty-two years with the Wathaurong, he re-joined the settlers when John Batman came to Port Philip in 1835.

At this point Buckley became the go-betweencaught in the middle of the indigenous and settler people. In the show Jan asks students to suggest solutions to the predicaments Buckley faced

- as a Wathaurong man asked to negotiate with Woiwurrung people
- with the first murders of blacks and whites in the colony
- with the planned massacre of the settlers by the Aborigines in 1835
- and with the rival characters of Batman and Fawkner

BUCKLEY is based on William Buckley's biography of 1852, official documents, contemporary Buckley literature, and Jan's own research in Buckley country.

Visually, Buckley uses street signs and printed shirts to assist the story, and Wathaurong language is employed throughout.