Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttal have just won the International Songwriting Competition for their song Caught in the Crowd. This song tells of experiences with bullying at school. The ideas of acceptance and tolerance of others, and the reasons why we might not hold true to these values, are explored in the song.

In terms of The Secret River it makes me think about Will's son Dick making friends with the Aboriginal children of the area they live in. Will and Sal struggle with the notion of Dick interacting with the Aboriginal people, Sal instructs Will, 'You best go down and fetch him back, Will, she said calmly. He got to learn when he's gone too far'. While this illustrates a fear of difference Grenville actually writes hopefully, implying there is a chance for understanding, tolerance and acceptance in the future. The narrative imparts, 'At times Dick went down to the river ... Thornhill had seen him there more than once ... playing with the native children ... Dick was stripped off as they were, to nothing but skin. His was white and theirs was black, but shining in the sun and glittering with river-water it was hard to tell the difference'.

Whispering Jack is back - again. John Farnham is itching to get back on stage after his experience of performing with Coldplay at the Bushfire Aid concerts. Seeing footage of his career in the media lately reminded me what great songs The Age of Reason and You're the Voice are. Definitely worth listening to to inspire thinking about the Context.

Advance Australia Fair

There is much debate surrounding the Australian national anthem and whether or not it is as it should be. Also in regard to our flag. It is interesting to consider the original, unabridged version of Advance Australia Fair when studying the issues that are presented in The Secret River. I would like to hear others' points of views on the arguments for and against the anthem. What do you think of the lyrics we no longer sing? Should the anthem be changed/replaced?

A piece of writing considering this topic could work to address a prompt, the context and the set text. It also lends itself to the discussion of just who are Australians and would we better represented as a people if we were a republic? Just two days ago Judith Durham, member of the 1960's Australian pop band the Seekers, 'penned new lyrics for the national anthem and is hoping that the rest of the country will get on board'. Also check out the BLIP.fm playlist to listen to versions of the I Am Australian song.

Breakeven by The Script

I chose to put Breakeven forward as a song worth considering for our exploration of the context in regard to The Secret River because I believe the idea of there being different levels of give and take in a relationship is one that is very pertinent to the situation of Sal and William Thornhill. While I think theirs' is a true love story, and the depth of their love for each other is on a par, it seems to be Sal who sacrifices the most for them to stay together. Sal leaves London to follow her convict husband to Australia where his promises of taking her home fall empty. A piece of writing that explores the intricacies of a relationship where one person gives up more than other could work well to address the criteria for this Area of Study outcome.