WHY THE LARGE PASTORAL PROPERTY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA WAS ABANDONED

This is a cross curriculum unit. In the semi-arid lands of South Australia there lie the substantial ruins of the once very prosperous homestead of a sheep grazing property of Kanyaka. By researching maps and records and using photographs this unit recreates the times when this large property was very much a going concern. There are ample opportunities for students to interpret the material. The woolshed is resurrected from the ruins via a map which shows its operation as it was during the record year of 1865. This is part of the colonial history of South Australia. It supports environmental/geography studies/colonial history in the Australian curriculum but it also has wider appeal for teachers from other countries wishing to explore human land use activities in marginal environmental areas. To add to the challenge students are provided with situation activities (provided as attachments) which allow them to re-enter the large woolshed and become part of the operations. The big question which hangs over the unit is the question of abandonment. Why, after all this effort to create the homestead and operate the 100,00 hectare sheep property was it abandoned? The answers are intriguing and there are many parts to find and bring forward. Step into the landscape of the ruins. Venture into the recreation of the operations and find answers to the question.