Painting of a scene showing a group of people sitting and standing around a felled tree. Five of the men appear to be Indigenous Australians. Three are standing, one leaning on a spear. The other two are seated. Three other men stand near the tree as well. One is in conversation with the man leaning on the spear. The other two are doing something behind the tree, one has an axe. Their faces are are not shown to the viewer. A tall European sailing ship can be seen int he distance.

Baines, Thomas, 1820-1875. (1857). Thomas Baines with Aborigines near the mouth of the Victoria River, N.T. [picture] / T. Baines. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134296782

1. Share the picture of Thomas Baines’ (1820─1875) painting with your students. Use the following questions to explore aspects of the painting:

  • What people can you see? What are they doing?
  • What animals can you see?
  • What buildings can you see?
  • When and where do you think this picture was painted?
  • What does the painting tell you about European settlement of Australia?

When your students look at the painting, ensure they identify details such as people’s tools, the ship, trees (the fallen tree, and trees in the background including a boab tree), animals (a sheep and an emu) and buildings.

2. Invite each student to select a person or object in the painting and take on the perspective of that person or object to respond to the following three questions. (This activity is adapted from the Visible Thinking ‘Step Inside’ routine.)

  • What can the person or object see?
  • What might the person or object know about or believe?
  • What might the person or object care about?

Share oral or written responses in pairs, groups or as a class.

Discuss the following questions, drawing on the students’ experiences in the Difference Differently introductory activity:

  • What might have encouraged the people in the painting to communicate and work together?
  • What might have worked against these people communicating and working together?

Other Treasures sources related to the concepts explored in this source include: First peoples, Early settlement, Communication.

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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