Azaria: A True History by Maree Coote
by Maree Coote
Description
In 1980, a baby was taken by a dingo at “Ayers Rock”(Uluru). The mother was accused of murder.
Many forces conspired against the mother: Media sensationalism, police incompetence, national ignorance, sexism, racism, and more.
Eventually it was proven that the dingo was the culprit, and the mother as released.
Since this amazing event occurred, dozens more dingo attacks have occurred, including 3 deaths.
*What are the lessons of this tragedy?
*What can we learn about the desert, it’s natural history, its inhabitants?
*What can we learn about people and their reactions?
*What can we learn about the media?
*What can we learn about the law?
Many forces conspired against the mother: Media sensationalism, police incompetence, national ignorance, sexism, racism, and more.
Eventually it was proven that the dingo was the culprit, and the mother as released.
Since this amazing event occurred, dozens more dingo attacks have occurred, including 3 deaths.
*What are the lessons of this tragedy?
*What can we learn about the desert, it’s natural history, its inhabitants?
*What can we learn about people and their reactions?
*What can we learn about the media?
*What can we learn about the law?
Topics covered:
- The role of the media in this story
- Discrimination/ prejudice?
- City vs outback?
- Injustice, innocence and ignorance
- Ancient Indigenous lore and modern law
- Where nature and civilisation meet
- The idea of never giving up a fight for truth
- Why write this book?
- The illustrations/symbolism
Details
Audience
Late Primary Students - secondary Civics and History students
Duration
45-60 minutes incl. Q&A
Requirements
Data Projector, screen. File is Mac format. I will bring it on a laptop. I have Mac adaptor, but need the venue’s projector’s video adaptor to connect back to my Mac. Internet connection not required. My presentation may need to play video, and/or audio (video, is.mp4 and .mov.)