With the introduction of a new national history curriculum to the education system, several members of the Douglas Shire Historical Society (DSHS) have been working over the past year on an historical project for schools in our local area.

Using unique photos accessed from several sources, the Society has provided stories on five themes:

• early trade and travel
• early school days
• the impact of hinterland gold rushes on the district
• the sugar cane industry
• reasons immigrants to Australia came to Douglas district.

Sets of A1 posters have been prepared with text and photographs, with background information on CD. They will be loaned to schools from the Mossman Library for easy access to teachers throughout our district.

In this way the DSHS hopes to assist the schools’ delivery of local history components and to inject local relevance into the Australian Curriculum, as well as develop appreciation by young people for what is here today, and for the efforts of past generations.

“An appreciation of the foundations of local settlement and industry should generate increased pride in community and increased resolve to maintain cultural and indigenous integrity through time.” said DSHS member and project co-ordinator Ken Keith.

"These materials bring together just some of the resources within the community that can enable teachers to thread local relevance into a nation-wide curriculum.”

This is another fruitful partnership between the Douglas Shire Historical Society and our community, this time with local primary schools and the Mossman Library.

The project has been supported by a grant from the Queensland Government’s Building Rural Communities fund.

The official release of material will take place at 3.30pm on Tuesday 4th September at the Mossman State School Resource Centre, enter from William Street.

Local residents who have contributed, school teachers from every local school, Historical Society members, Cr Julia Leu and designer Philippe Petey from Coastline Graphics will be among invited guests sharing afternoon tea and celebrating the release of materials.

www.douglas-shire-historical-society.org

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