THE GREAT EMU WAR OF 1932 -WESTERN AUSTRALIA THE EMU VERSION

Here’s a rather strange unit that will interest, dare I say “intrigue” your students. It can be used as a standalone title. It is part of the Australian History between World War 1 and World War 2. It links with topics on Soldier Settlement Schemes (called War Service Land Settlement in WA), The Great Depression and Drought.You could use it to support studies of animal adaptation to environment. With a degree of artistic licence this unit looks at the history of the Great Emu War from the point of view of the emus. Take your students onto the battlefields on the Western Australia Wheatfield in 1932. Find out why many thousands of emus entered the wheat farm areas in November. Discover why the Federal Government in Canberra sent in the Army and the machine guns to on a search and destroy emu mission. The story has elements of disaster for the emus but it also has elements of humour. You will find out why this war would later be called “Australia’s ridiculous war”. The attachments provide opportunity for in class work/discussion or homework. Your students will be able to develop an opinion on who won the war. They will be entertained.