Appendix 3.3: Case Study – Marking Guide

2x 1 mark for two correct identifications. No elaboration is required.

Possible answers are: biological isolation, geological stability and climatic variation

Biological isolation

Climatic variation

2x 2 marks for each correct explanation.

2x 1 mark for each correct link to the chosen outdoor environment.

Re-entry is permitted, a different characteristic from part a. is allowable as long as it is a correct characteristic.

Geological stability has led to many very old clay-based soils in the Lal Lal state forrest. These soils are 1000s of years old and have very few nutrients. An example of this we saw, the presence of many different acacia species in an area that had been recently burnt. Acacia’s fix nitrogen through their roots into the soil leading to habitat for other eucalyptus later on following a fire.

Climatic variation leads to long periods of dry (El Niño) and wet (La Niña). These periods have influenced the Lal Lal area as there are many narrow leaf native peppermint trees growing in the state forest. For example, the native peppermints we saw at lunchtime on the side of the west Moorabool protected their leaves from evaporation by turning them sideways to the hot midday sun.

2 marks for a correct description of the relationship

1 mark for an example specific to both a chosen Indigenous peoples’ tribe and the chosen outdoor environment.

Relationships can be broken down using perceptions, interactions and impacts

The Wudawurrung people perceived the Lal Lal falls as a sacred place as it is the forever resting home of Bunjil the spirt god of the Kulin Nation. The Wudawurrung people would gather at the falls for ceremonies such as marriages and trade. Because gatherings lasted for days, middens of bones and fire scars would be left near the falls. Much of the have now been destroyed by farmland.

2 marks for a correct description of the relationship

1 mark for an example specific to both a chosen Indigenous peoples’ tribe and the chosen outdoor environment.

Relationships can be broken down using perceptions, interactions and impacts

After colonisation the Wudawurrung were forced from their land due to early pastoralists then the resulting gold rush. Because of this, traditional land management of fire stick farming was banned. As a result, local species became extinct or hard to find, such as the yam daisy (mourning) a food staple which needs cool burns to regenerate.

2 marks for an analysis (showing cause and effect) of the changing relationship

1 mark for a correct impact on the outdoor environment

Unique points are needed that are different to 2b.

Due to the introduction of hard-hoofed animals–namely sheep–during the time of the pastoralists moving into Lal Lal, many native species were unable to continue to germinate after fire as the seed bank in the soil was compacted. Overtime, this has led to a mono-crop of mostly introduced grass species with shallow roots. As a result of this mono-crop, waterways are more likely to become eroded due to the inability of shallow-rooted grasses to stabilise the thin layers of topsoil.

a. Identify the two historical time periods, including the years they spanned that the goldrush impacted (2 marks).

2x 1 mark for each correctly identified time period

Must have the correct years as shown in the study design.

Early colonisation (1788–1859)                   Pre-Federation (1860–1900)

2 x 2 marks for correctly describing each relationship

2 x 1 mark for linking each relationship to the discovery of gold

Re-entry is allowed if a student uses a different time period from part a.

During the early colonisation period, a subsistence mining community began at Dolly’s Creek in the late 1950s. This community mostly consisted of individuals and pairs of mates working claims. They would find enough gold to sustain the lifestyle whilst supplementing their income during this time with farm work, and also living from animals reared on the common and vegetables grown in the garden. The community like many around Ballarat, popped up overnight following the discovery of gold in Buninyong in 1851.

 The Lal Lal Iron mine company made goods for nearby wealthy Ballarat as there was affluence as a result of the gold rush and money to fund things. For example, the cathedral in Sturt St has a fence made from pig iron that was mined for and smelted at Lal Lal. The iron works had a huge need for timber both for heating the blast furnace and domestic tasks as nearly 200 men lived and worked at the Iron works during its peak in the 1880s.

3 marks for comparing your two relationships from part a.

2 marks for the impacts on the chosen environment

Comparative language must be used.

The Lal Lal iron mine and the Dolly’s Creek miners both had a significant impact on the area. This is due to both groups perceiving the area as a resource that could be ‘bought and sold’ to make a profit. The miners were a subsistence community, meaning that they lived week to week off what they dug up on their claims. They had to supplement their income during bad weeks by growing food and doing odd jobs. Although their mine shafts remain, they are quite small and the evidence of their domestic activities is now mostly hidden in archeological evidence. In contrast, the open-cut pig iron mines at the iron works are much larger than the small gold mines at Dolly’s Creek. In addition, much of the infrastructure such as the tramway has permanently reshaped the landscape. Hence, the iron mine had a larger impact on the Lal Lal area than the Dolly’s creek miners.

Your report should include:

•    A description of two events that impacted on your chosen outdoor environment during the Post-Federation period

•    An analysis of how each event changed relationships with your chosen outdoor environment

Unit 3

Outcome 1

Analyse the changing nature of relationships with outdoor environments between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians at a local and state level over time and evaluate the impact of environmentalism on political parties and/or or political party.

DESCRIPTOR: typical performance in each range

Very Low (0-2 marks)

Low (3-4 marks)

Medium (5-6 marks)

High (7-8 marks)

Very high (9-10 marks)

Limited identification of changing relationships with Victorian outdoor environments of non-Indigenous peoples’ communities during the Post-Federation (1901-1990) period

Identification of changing relationships with Victorian outdoor environments of non-Indigenous peoples’ communities during the Post-Federation (1901-1990) period

Outline of changing relationships with Victorian outdoor environments of non-Indigenous peoples’ communities during the Post-Federation (1901-1990) period

Description of the changing relationships with Victorian outdoor environments of non-Indigenous peoples’ communities expressed through historical events and key social and cultural issues during the Post-Federation (1901-1990) period

Analysis of the changing relationships with Victorian outdoor environments by non- Indigenous peoples’ and expressed through historical events and key social and cultural issues during the Post-Federation (1901-1990) period

Must use two different events post-federation

Analysis should show cause and effect

The post-federation period (1901-1990) was key in the formation of Australia’s identify as a nation. Prior to this time, we were a collection of British colonies. Australia in the early 20th century was viewed as a social experiment in progressive culture.

The Lal Lal Races were held each year in the first few decades of the 20th century on New Years day. The races attracted thousands from nearby Melbourne and Geelong. The crowds were so big that they had to build a branch line of the Geelong – Ballarat line to transport all the race goers. The races were a testament to the idea that Australians could enjoy leisure time away from work and also a nod to our colonial heritage as horse racing was prominent at the time as a gentleman and ladies’ pursuit in Britain. The races had a significant impact on changing the area as you can still see today the land that was shaped to support the railway tracks that the branch line followed.

During the 1970s a serve drought was impacting Geelong and Ballarat’s water supplies. This was due to a significant El Niño period. To ensure the future water supply of both towns, a dam was to be built on the West Moorabool River just below the Lal Lal Falls. The dam would hold 13 million gallons of water. Although the creation of the dam flooded many hectares of land that had native vegetation, there was little opposition at the time by environmentalists despite the recent Little Desert campaign. The dam is still a key part of Geelong and Ballarat’s water supply today.