Wall map of Australia circa 1980

Large full-colour map of Australia with physical features defined by colour. Dowel rods top and bottom for hanging.

Physical map of Australia, No. 125. Wall map published by Chaz H.Scally and Co, circa 1980. Collection number 2012-82

About the object

This large map of Australia was for hanging on the wall of the classroom. Wall maps were used as a teaching resource in social studies lessons.

There are round dowel rods at the top and bottom to keep it hanging straight. A cord at the top is for hanging on a hook. The map was rolled when not in use.

The map is a physical map of Australia –the colours showing the relief of the land. Height in metres is indicated in the legend.

The map also shows the states, major towns and cities, rivers and dams.

Student exercise books in our collection show that mapping was a major part of social studies lessons through to the early 1980s.

Globes and class sets of atlases were also used by students for their mapping exercises.

Significance

The map shows an example of a teaching resource used in classrooms to the 1990s prior to digital technologies.

We have a large number of wall maps in our collection which reflect the social studies curriculum of the time. The maps also provide snapshots of land uses and political boundaries of the time.

Object details

Date –circa 1980

Creator – Chaz H.Scally and Co

Place – North Ryde, Sydney

Materials – cloth-backed paper, wooden dowels at top and bottom

Dimensions – height 75cm x width 105cm

Look closer

Map legend showing colours used to represent height in metres

The legend on the map shows the colours represent height in metres.

Close-up of the map of NSW showing cities, rivers and landforms

A close-up of New South Wales on the map showing the landform, cities, towns, major rivers and dams. The label 'Great Dividing Range' is written vertically along the orange.

Think and wonder

See

What do you notice first on the wall map?
Can you see the cord for hanging the map?
What does the orange represent on the map?

Think

Do you think maps hung on classsroom walls permanently or were changed around? Why do you think that?
How do you think large maps were used in classrooms? For what part of a lesson?
What do wall maps tell you about technologies of the time?

Wonder

What do you wonder about wall maps?
What else would you like to know about them?

Do

Consider the positives and negatives of using wall maps in learning spaces compared to today's digital technologies.

Record your thoughts using a Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI) chart.

Explore and connect

Large map of Australia with dowel rods top and bottom. The has solid colour and cross-hatching to represent primary industry production in Australia

Production map of Australia No. 113 highlighting the main areas of primary production. Published by Chaz H.Scally and Co, circa 1970. Collection number 2011-48

Wall map – production map of Australia, circa 1970

This wall map of Australia highlights the main areas of primary production. The colours and cross-hatching represent the main areas of beef, wheat, sheep, sugar cane and dairy/mixed farming across Australia.

Major railways, highways, shipping routes and airports are also shown. The small insert of Australia shows the location mineral deposits and industrial activity.

Primary production was studied in social studies lessons in 5th Class in NSW primary schools. The map was hung on the wall for reference in the lessons. This can be seen in Wendy Hill's map of beef cattle in Australia, completed in 5th Grade in 1968.

View a larger image of the map on our EHive collection record 2011-48.

Hand-drawn map of Australia in social studies book with shading and cross hatching in pen to represent beef production areas

Map of Australia's beef production areas drawn by Wendy Hill in 5th Class in 1968Collection number 2000-998

Wendy Hill's map of Australia, 5th Class, 1968

Wendy Hill created this map in her 5th Class social studies book. Wendy was in 5OC (Opportunity Class) at Beecroft Public School in 1968.

The map shows the beef production areas in Australia at the time. Wendy has used biro and colour pencil for shading and cross-hatching , in a similar style to the wall map above. The wall map may have been hanging on the wall of her classroom. She would have used a map in an atlas for closer reference.

It is likely that Wendy traced around a plastic stencil of Australia to draw her map. These stencils had 'holes' for also tracing the state and territory border lines.

How do you create maps today?

>Go to Wendy Hill's social studies book page

Large map of Australia with dowel rods top and bottom with the states and territories in different colours

Political map of Australia showing the states and territories. Modern Teaching Map of Australia No. 132 published by Chaz H.Scally and Co, circa 1965.Collection number 2011-33

Wall map – political map of Australia, circa 1965

This wall map is a political map of Australia. It shows the states and territories in different colours. The map also shows the main railways, shipping routes, highways, telegraph lines and airports.

Note the inset map of Papua New Guinea and the line between the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea. The territories of Papua and New Guinea were administered by Australia at the time the map was produced. Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975.

Compare this map with Arthur Logan's hand-draw map, 1901 on the Mapping book 1896 page.

>Go to Mapping book 1896 page

>Home – object gallery

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands of people using this site. Is, always was, always will be – Aboriginal land.

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