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Eddie from Odnadatta talks about the "party line"

A quick look at Callana station at Maree

The Process (continued)
Individual task | Group Task

Transporting some of the goods

Group Task
It is now time to form the groups you made earlier - remember to have a different character in your group for example - a worker, a new settler - station owner, indigenous perspective, Charles Todd and/or a female perspective.

You are to select two of the problems of the time below and come up with the "best" solution. You must remember the transformation is still in place - if you were Charles Todd you must have the character and perspectives of this person.

Problems to be solved ~ Please make sure to list all reasons to support your arguments :

• The workers come across a large, very thick forest which the telegraph line was planned to go through. If they go round the scrub land they may need further supplies. However, time is also important as they are near completion. What would the group advise as a strategy for the workers on where to go, how to do it, what extra costs might be involved and how long it may take.
• As there was no refrigeration in the 1870's suggest ways that the workers could have preserved food while they worked along the track. Remember that this construction took two years. What would the group advise the leaders of the Overland team. These men are doing very heavy manual work through very hard conditions.
• During the summer rain, the telegraph line just north of Strangways Springs was washed out. The construction team is currently near Barrow Creek. What strategies do you suggest they follow now? Remember the telegraph line has not been completed - so messages back to Adelaide may take sometime.
• A worker is a deserter - he could not take the harsh conditions and the enormous difficulties. He fled one night. If you were this person what would be going through your mind at this stage. Where would you go and what would you do with very little money in the centre of Australia.
• What impact did the development of the Overland Telegraph Line have on the Aborigines? Could you suggest any ways this could be changed or improved? What do you think would have happened as the construction team came across the first tribes?

• Have we worked co-operatively?
• Is our presentation structured - remember introduction, middle and conclusion?
• Have all the tasks and speaking roles been evenly distributed?
• Have you addressed the situation?
• Has your opinion or your answer to the major question changed?
• What have we learnt?
  

You can now discuss your findings and suggestions to the class or another group.

Have you an answer to the major Question?