A man looking at newspapers in multiple languages at a newspaper kiosk on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.

Australia. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Overseas Information Bureau. (1991). Ethnic newspapers are prominent on this kiosk in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1991 [transparency]. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136834359

A drawing of two men in a horse-drawn cart selling newspapers at Bendigo Diggings, Victoria. Another man holds a banner advertising The Argus, and The Illustrated Sydney News.

Mason, Walter G. Australian picture pleasure book. (1857). Selling newspapers at Bendigo diggings, Victoria [picture]. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138440899

Plate on p. 43 of: Australian picture pleasure book /Walter G. Mason.

Banner at centre advertises The Argus, and The Illustrated Sydney News.

  • Have the students design a front page of newspaper. Have students design the newspaper’s masthead with a name in the language. Have them design the layout of the page and come up with a headline story that grabs the attention of the reader.
  • Throughout Australia, many suburbs and towns have a community of people who speak in a language other than English. Often these communities are supported by local businesses selling products familiar in the countries of origin of that language. These businesses often provide newspapers for the community.
    •  Collect a range of newspapers in languages other than English in the local community. What languages were available? Which were harder to find?
  • Stage a class debate around news being increasingly accessible only with a paid subscription. How important is keeping news and information free and accessible? What are the pros and cons of this pay-per-view/article/issue model?

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