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Questions for discussion

Congo crisis

1. Write a brief outline of the story.

2. Where is the Democratic Republic of Congo?

3. What are three facts about the DRC that you learnt from the BtN story?

4. When did the country become independent?

5. What happened under President Mobutu’s rule?

6. Why have people in the DRC left their homes recently?

7. What impact is this having on their lives?

8. Describe how the people living in the DRC might be feeling.

9. What are other countries doing to help?

10. Describe Simon’s reaction to the recent fighting in the DRC.

Send a message or tell us what you think on the BtN Guestbook.

President Obama

1. Retell the story in your own words.

2. What was significant about 130 million people voting?

3. Where was Obama born?

4. Where did he live until he was ten years old?

5. How did Obama spend his early working life?

6. What makes him different to all other US Presidents?

7. What changes does he want to make?

8. When will Barack Obama officially become the US President?

9. How do you think the election result affects Australia?

10. What do you understand more clearly after watching the BtN story?

Test your knowledge in the online quiz.

Victoria Cross

1. What is significant about the 11th

November?

2. What is a Victoria Cross medal?

3. Why was Keith Payne awarded a Victoria Cross medal?

4. How many Australians have received a VC?

5. What are the medals made from?

6. Why was Major Peter Badcoe awarded a Victoria Cross?

7. Why do you think it was important for Peter Badcoe’s daughter to visit Vietnam?

8. What is the Victoria Cross medal for animals called?

9. Why do some animals receive it?

10. Has your thinking about commemorating war changed since watching the BtN

story? Explain your answer.

EPISODE 32

11TH NOVEMBER 2008

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Brainstorm at least ten responses to the following statement: `It is not important to

remember war.’

Stock routes

1. Describe in your own words what a stock route is.

2. Explain how Holly and her family uses stock routes?

3. Why are stock routes important during the drought?

4. How did cattle get to market before trucks were used for transport?

5. Why are they still important today?

6. Apart from cattle, what other animals use stock routes?

7. Why are they important to these animals?

8. Why are environmentalists concerned about the future of stock routes?

9. Why might stock routes be threatened?

10. What do you think should happen next?

Create a promotional poster or brochure explaining the importance of stock routes.

Ballroom blitz

1. What was the main point of the story?

2. Why are more young people getting involved in ballroom dancing?

3. Describe Oliver and Kelly’s training schedule?

4. Why is commitment important in ballroom dancing?

5. What are the three different styles?

6. What is competitive ballroom dancing called?

7. How are competitors judged?

8. Why is it important that dancers get along with their partners?

9. What do you think are the benefits of ballroom dancing?

10. Create a plus, minus and interesting chart about whether dancesport should be

included in the Olympics.

`Should dancesport be included in the Olympics?’ Vote in the online poll.

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Congo crisis

At the moment there is some terrible fighting in the

Democratic Republic of Congo. Hundreds of thousands

of people have left their homes and are without food or

shelter.

Focus Questions

1. Write a brief outline of the story.

2. Where is the Democratic Republic of Congo?

3. What are three facts about the DRC that you learnt from the BtN story?

4. When did the country become independent?

5. What happened under President Mobutu’s rule?

6. Why have people in the DRC left their homes recently?

7. What impact is this having on their lives?

8. Describe how the people living in the DRC might be feeling.

9. What are other countries doing to help?

10. Describe Simon’s reaction to the fighting in the DRC.

Profile of Congo

Students will be researching and developing a profile of the Democratic Republic of

Congo to gain a deeper understanding of the country.

Working in pairs, ask students to brainstorm what they know about the DRC and

record their responses. Using the `who, what, why, when, where and how’

framework, ask students to write questions that they would like to find the answers to.

Students share their questions with the rest of the class. Discuss how the students

could find answers to the questions they generate.

Topics to include in the profile of the DRC include:

Historical information (background of country)

Geographical information (climate, environmental issues)

Political information (including history)

Economic information (including resources that generate income)

Social/cultural (language, cultural events)

Values/beliefs

Encourage students to gather information from a variety of sources. There are some

website links at the end of this activity sheet that may be useful.

Negotiate with students how they are going to present their profile. These could

include:

PowerPoint presentation

Brochure

Oral presentation

Reflection

What are some things you would do the same in your next research inquiry, and what

might you do differently?

EPISODE 32

11TH NOVEMBER 2008

Learning Area

Society and

Environment

Key learning

Students will

develop a deeper

understanding of the

Democratic Republic

of Congo.

Encourage students to use

images in their profile.

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What do you understand more clearly now?

Further investigations

Create a poster describing an aspect of Congolese music. The following website

has more information about traditional and contemporary music.

http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/country/c

ontent.country/congo_drc__zaire__17?fs=travel.nationalgeographic.com

Create a rap or rhyme about an aspect of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Present it to the class.

Related Research Links

ABC News – DR Congo rebels take town in new offensive

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/07/2412735.htm?section=justin

ABC News - UN arranging crisis talks with DR Congo, Rwanda

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/04/2409911.htm

Children’s BBC Newsround – Country profile Democratic Republic of Congo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4090000/newsid_4096700/4096774.stm

Children’s BBC Newsround – UN sends help to Congo refugees

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7700000/newsid_7705000/7705003.stm

National Geographic – Democratic Republic of Congo

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_demrepcongo.html

BBC Country profile – Democratic Republic of Congo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076399.stm

Country at a glance United Nations Cyber school bus – Democratic Republic of

Congo

http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/index.asp?id=180

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Victoria Cross

Lots of Australian service people have won medals for

their bravery and sacrifices. But only a few have ever

received a Victoria Cross – the highest award for acts

of bravery in wartime.

Focus Questions

1. What is significant about the 11th

November?

2. What is a Victoria Cross medal?

3. Why was Keith Payne awarded a Victoria Cross medal?

4. How many Australians have received a VC?

5. What are the medals made from?

6. Why was Major Peter Badcoe awarded a Victoria Cross?

7. Why do you think it was important for Peter Badcoe’s daughter to visit Vietnam?

8. What is the Victoria Cross medal for animals called?

9. Why do some animals receive it?

10. Has your thinking about commemorating war changed since watching the BtN

story? Explain your answer.

Pick a task

Students will deepen their understanding of Remembrance Day and the Victoria Cross

medal by completing some of the following activities. Negotiate with students how

many activities they will need to complete.

Remember and understand

Write a speech about the importance of Remembrance Day or the Victoria

Cross medal. Deliver the speech to your class.

Read the poem In Flanders Field by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae at the

following website

http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/customs/poems.asp#flanders

How do you think it helps people understand the experience of service people

and their families in wartime?

Apply and Analyse

Research and write a biography about a recipient of the Victoria Cross medal.

Tips on how to write a biography are at the following website

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/biography/a/bio.htm

Share your findings with the class through storytelling or by making a display.

Explain the significance of both rosemary and poppies in Remembrance Day

ceremonies. Why have symbols become an important part of commemorating

Remembrance Day?

Evaluate and create

EPISODE 32

11TH NOVEMBER 2008

Learning Area

Society and

Environment, English

Key learning

Students will

develop a deeper

understanding of

Remembrance Day and

the Victoria Cross

medal.

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Create a flip book that shows the traditional order of service for

Remembrance Day. The following website explains how to make a flip book

http://www.abc.net.au/creaturefeatures/make/flipbook.htm

Brainstorm at least ten responses to the following statement: `It is not to

important remember war.’

Do you think Remembrance Day will be commemorated in 50 years? Explain

your answer.

Reflection

What do you understand more clearly now?

What things you would do the same and what might you do differently next time?

Related Research Links

ABC News – Last WWI VC on display

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/23/2399336.htm

ABC News – Stokes gifts to nation get official unveiling

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/11/2300709.htm

Children’s BBC – Remembrance Day

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_2430000/newsid_2438200/2438207.stm

Australian War Memorial – Remembrance Day

http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/remembrance/tradition.asp

Department of Veterans Affairs – Remembrance Day

http://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations/commemorative_events/remembrance_day/

Department of Culture and Recreation – Remembrance Day

http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/remembrance/

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TRANSCRIPT 11/11/08

Episode 32 On this week's Behind the News. Schoolkids in Australia talk about troubles in the Congo. The story behind the Victoria Cross And is part of outback history under threat. Hi I'm Nathan Bazley welcome to Behind the News. Also on the show today why kids are crowding onto the dance floors. Those items later but first to a serious story from the weekend.

BALI UPDATE

Reporter, Catherine Ellis INTRO: We told you a few weeks ago about the 'Bali bombers' who were convicted of killing more than 200 people in a terrorist attack in Bali six years ago. Over the weekend the three men were executed and it's caused a big reaction in Indonesia and Australia. Here's Catherine. Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Muhklas were sentenced to death for their roles in Asia's biggest terrorist attack when two bombs blew up Bali nightclubs packed with tourists Their executions triggered painful memories for the families and friends of the 88 Australians who died. “It's been a long time coming. The last week has been an incredibly hard week. It's brought back a lot of emotions.” Some people are happy the terrorists were executed. Others say it’s wrong to kill anyone and they should have just been kept in jail. “It can't bring back Kathy or the 201 other victims.” “I fully support the death penalty for terrorists no doubt.” Supporters of the terrorists are angry and there have been threats of revenge attacks. Because of that Australians are being warned not to travel to Indonesia. Presenter If you want more info on the Bali Bombers there's a feature on our website.

PRESIDENT OBAMA Reporter, Nathan Bazley

INTRO: Now on a more positive note a sense of excitement and anticipation has swept the world after Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Millions of people watched the vote and celebrated his win. So why all the interest? We decided to take a closer look at the guy who you'll be seeing a lot more over of the next four years. He's inspired a musical in Kenya in Africa and whipped this Japanese town into a frenzy of dancing and merchandising.

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But that's nothing compared to the scenes he generated on his home soil! Talk show hosts supported him and Hollywood stars even made him a song. At rallies, he talks like a rock star, signs shirts like a rock star and even gets heckled like a rock star! But in the end, it wasn't huge rallies that won Barack Obama leadership of his country, it was scenes like this! NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: In America voting isn't compulsory, but more than 130 million people still waited in line to have their say and in the end their decision was clear. But what's the story with this 'Obama' guy anyway? Well let's take a look at who he is and how he got to be here. His story starts in the American island state of Hawaii, where he was born. His dad was a black man from Kenya and his mum a white woman from Kansas. He then moved to Indonesia, where he stayed until he was ten years old. And this is his old school! SCHOOL KID: Many of the students say 'I want to be like him, ‘cause he's so great and he's going to be President of the United States.' He eventually moved back to America and studied his way through Law School and he killed it there! He spent his early working life with under-privileged people and other community groups in his old neighbourhood, before he finally made his way into politics. A big part of his life is his family. His wife Michelle and their two daughters Malia,10 and Natasha, 8. NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: So what is it that makes Barack Obama different from all the other Presidents that went before him? Well in a country that still has issues with race, Barack is the first African American to ever get the top job. And THAT is a huge deal! BARACK OBAMA: It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America. The other reason it's a big deal is because of the promises Obama made during the campaign. He thought the government should take a bigger role helping people with healthcare, making taxes fairer and fixing the economy. So now all the glitz and glamour of the election is over, he can move straight into the Whitehouse and get to work right? Well not so fast. New presidents are inaugurated, or sworn in, on the 20th of January.

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So he'll have to wait a little while before he can start bringing the citizens of America all the changes he promised. Presenter And he'll be known as the 'President-Elect' until he's sworn in. CONGO CRISIS Reporter, Sarah Larsen INTRO: Over the past couple of weeks there's been some terrible pictures coming out of Africa showing families and kids in desperate need of food and help. Around Australia there's a lot of kids who have a really good idea what it feels like to be in that situation because they come from there. Sarah thought she'd visit a school to see what they think. SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: It's a typical school day in the Aussie suburbs. Time for fun and hanging out with friends. But not long ago these kids' lives were very different. SIMON: I'm from Congo yeah and I came to Australia since I arrived in here on the 18th of October last year; 2007 REPORTER: How do you like Australia? PAUL: Australia it's good because I have a safe place here. These guys are all from a country called the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a long way from Australia, in Africa. There's a country right next door called the Republic of the Congo but don't get the two confused. T he DRC is the third biggest country in Africa and home to more than 65 million people. They speak several languages, including French and they live in big cities and little villages. It's a country of volcanic mountains, lush forests and some very rare mountain gorillas and under the ground there's a treasure trove of precious metals like copper and diamonds. But they haven't always benefited the people of Congo. More than 120 years ago it was taken over by King Leopold of Belgium. He made a lot of money but treated the people very badly. In 1960 Congo became independent but then this man took over. President Mobutu ruled for 32 years but he did a terrible job and spent most of the country's money on himself while schools closed down, roads crumbled, and their currency became almost worthless. In 1997 Mobutu was thrown out and the people were really happy but it didn't last long. There was a huge war next door in Rwanda. Some warring groups from there crossed into the Congo and started fighting. Nine other countries joined in. They wanted to protect themselves and a share of the Congo's minerals. It became known as the African world war and millions died. Eventually the fighting stopped but in the past few weeks things have become very bad again. These people are running from fighting between rebel soldiers and the Congolese army. Hundreds of thousands of people have left their homes and are without food or shelter. AID WORKER: They must be starving, they probably haven't eaten in a long time. It's hard for these guys to see their country suffering.

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SIMON: They are running away from their houses, their camps. They are just walking without anything. PAUL: It's not really good. It’s so bad. Many have friends and family close to the fighting. SIMON: My family is in Congo. My sister, our first born sister, is in Congo. My father often watch from the Internet yeah. Other countries are trying to help the Congolese refugees. They've sent in supplies and peace-keeping soldiers. Now everyone's watching and hoping things get better SIMON: I hope one day things will be good VICTORIA CROSS Reporter, Catherine Ellis INTRO: Today is the 11th of November - a special day set aside to remember the many thousands who've died in wars for their country. It's called Remembrance Day and at 11 o'clock everyone is asked to be silent for a minute to think about the sacrifices people have made. Overseas, some Aussies have already been paying their respects. The Governor General visited World War One battlefields in France. She visited the Cobbers Memorial which marks the bravery of the diggers who risked their lives to carry back their dead and wounded mates during fighting. Governor General: 'They stand for so much… which is courage. I'm very touched here today.' Presenter It is also the 90th anniversary of the end of World War One. Now lots of those servicemen and women won medals for their bravery and sacrifices but only a very select few have ever been awarded a Victoria Cross. What is that? And why is it so special? Catherine explains. CATHERINE ELLIS, REPORTER: Nearly forty years ago, deep in the jungle during the Vietnam War, Aussie Keith Payne was commanding some tribesmen when they were attacked. There were casualties everywhere, but Keith crawled in the dark, while guns were still firing and rescued 40 men. Later that year he was awarded a Victoria Cross. CATHERINE: The Victoria Cross is the highest award you can possibly get in Australia for acts of bravery in wartime. Queen Victoria came up with the idea nearly a century and a half ago and in that time only 96 Australians have received one. Keith was actually the last Aussie to win one and he's one of only two still alive today. KEITH PAYNE: But I would like to think that I am the last purely and simply because for a Victoria Cross to be awarded means there's a lot of people going to get killed and I don't want to see any more mothers weeping over lost sons. The medals are hand made from brass cannons captured by the British during a war nearly 150 years ago.

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CATHERINE: Now this particular Victoria Cross belonged to Major Peter Badcoe. He died during the Vietnam War while single-handedly trying to stop a machine gunner from firing on his Vietnamese troops. His family was presented with the medal in 1967 - his eldest daughter Carey was just ten years old at the time. CAREY BADCOE: We just thought he was invincible and so, I think we were less prepared than we logically should have been. This was the last letter he wrote home, before his final battle. CAREY BADCOE: I miss you and the little girls more than I can ever tell you and I'm looking forward so very much to our holiday together. Forty years later Carey decided to visit the place where her father died. She met the village leader who was a 17 year old school boy at the time and he was able to describe in detail the events of the battle. CAREY BADCOE: Yeah, yeah. He always had the hat. And he just said, we took the cap off, and your father was very, very handsome. It was really, really lovely just hearing that. Carey and her family recently sold Major Badcoe's Victoria Cross, which will go on display next year at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. That's where you'll find the largest public collection of VC medals in the world! CATHERINE: And did you know there is also a Victoria Cross medal for animals! It's called the Dickin Medal. Messenger Pigeons were the first to get them for their efforts during the Second World War. Among them, was GI Joe, who flew 30 kilometres to deliver a message just in time to save 100 soldiers from being blown up. Sadie was the last to get one - she discovered a hidden bomb, saving dozens of soldiers in Afghanistan. About 60 animals have won Dickin Medals, not only for saving human lives, but also providing special companionship in times of terrible conflict. Presenter I never knew animals could be recognised for their bravery. QUIZ 1 I think it's time for a quiz! Remembrance Day is on the date of the finish of which war?

a. Boer War b. World War 1 c. World War 2

Answer: World War 1 And it was originally called Armistice Day.

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STOCK ROUTES Reporter, Nathan Bazley INTRO: When driving through the country, you might have noticed big sections of open land by the road. Have you ever wondered why that space is left there? Well they're called 'stock routes' and they're designed to be a big highway for sheep and cattle. But now they might be under threat and that has made farmers and environmentalists very angry. It looks like a fun camping holiday with the family. A camp-fire brekky for dad, Robert, mum, Anita and their 11 year old daughter Holly. HOLLY GROTH: It's really fun because I get to ride my horse all day; I get to be with my animals and I really like chasing cows, and that. But this isn't your average camping holiday. Holly and her family are out here caring for a mob of 700 cattle as they move away from their home property and across the country. Kind of like a bovine road trip! ROBERT GROTH, DROVER: Now, we'll head out down the bottom there and bring 'em up the far fence. You right babe? So why has this family and 700 of their closest friends hit the road together? Well during drought years all the feed and water on a property can dry up pretty quickly. If that happens, farmers need a place they can take their cattle to camp out a while, somewhere where they will have plenty to eat and drink! The answer: Stock routes! Stock routes are big corridors of open land that run all across Australia. You can see how many there are just in New South Wales and Queensland alone. ROBERT GROTH: You can start at one end of the state and go through to the next. And if you're going North you can go straight up over the border into Queensland and keep going through Queensland right to the top of the top of Australia. So it's a fairly vast bit of dirt. During the early days, drovers used to walk all their cattle to market, so they used stock routes kind of like 'cattle highways'. They gave them the nickname 'the long paddock'. These days trucks are mainly used to transport cattle from the farm to be sold. But farmers, drovers and hungry livestock still find them vital! But they aren't the only ones who benefit. Stock routes are perfect little roads for another group of animals - our native wildlife. As climate change affects the natural habitats of native animals, many use the stock routes to move safely from one home to another. Environmentalists say they are havens for these animals and without them, many could become isolated and threatened.

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But both famers and environmentalists are worried stock routes may not be around forever! The problem is they cost a lot of money to maintain. Pests have to be controlled, and fences and dams looked after. So government reviews have been set up to work out what to do with them in the future. At this stage the government thinks they'll be able to keep them, but farmers and scientists are still concerned. They say many stock routes have already been lost and the ones that are left are just too important. And that's something Holly and her family agree with! Presenter So all that space on the side of the road is there for a reason! THE SCORE Now in the Score we've got a special feature on a kid whose dream has some true. Here's Sarah. It's a massive week for this young soccer goalie from Perth. Mark Birighitti is only 17-years-old, doesn't even have his driver’s license yet but has been called up to play in the Asian Champions League final. “This is something I've been dreaming of since I was a kid. Going away with the Joey’s under 17s to a tournament in Japan was a big thing, but this has to be one of my career highlights playing in the Asian League final.” Adelaide United take on Gamba Osaka in the Wednesday night final but with United's goalie Eugene Galekovic out with a yellow card, Mark was called up for the job. The young-gun's only been with the Adelaide club for four months. “After playing the three A league games I'm on a high, my confidence is up and I feel like I can go out there and do the job and do what I have to do so I'm looking forward to the challenge.” Soccer fans are gearing up for the big match but to win, United need to finish an unlikely FOUR goals on top. If they do, they'll be the first Australian team ever to get the trophy! The match in Adelaide is a sell-out. Presenter It'll be a tall order but good luck to the United boys. BALLROOM BLITZ Reporter, Catherine Ellis INTRO: Ballroom dancing is getting lots of exposure these days because of popular shows on TV. And all the jiving, foxtrotting and waltzing seems to have had an impact on Aussie kids - more and more of them are slipping on their dance shoes and heading to classes to try it out. Catherine decided to join them.

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ANNOUNCER: Let's bring the couples out on the floor, ladies and gentlemen. They are vying for the title. The fourth and final dance, it’s the jive. OLIVER, DANCER: I was watching Dancing with the Stars and I saw a couple doing the Jive and a couple of other dancers and I just said to my mum that's what I want to do. CATHERINE ELLIS, REPORTER: Now eleven year old Oliver and his partner, 10 year old Kelly, are addicted. They spend two nights a week and weekends joined at the hip, practising and perfecting their routines. TEACHER: Make sure when you're doing a chachacha keep this and this in the middle. OLIVER: If you're not committed it's just really, not a waste of time, but if you want to become really serious about dancing you have to be really committed to do it. With costumes, dancing shoes, lessons and competitions, it's also a pretty expensive hobby, but they love it. OLIVER: It's hard to explain, it's just the feel when you're on the floor it's just phenomenal. KELLY: It's like you're a different whole person on the floor. There are three different styles, standard Ballroom Dancing, Latin American and New Vogue - each with a whole range of dances! They all involve 'partners' with a leader and a follower and people as young as four and as old as 90 get involved. It can be a social or competitive thing, but the competitive stuff is called 'dancesport'. To find out more about that, I decided to slip on my dancing shoes and head to class. Now most of these guys have been dancing for years and the older ones compete in dancesport comps all the time. CATHERINE: When you go to competitions how do they judge them? SHANA, STUDENT: They judge you on your technique and showmanship, so you have to be really out there and show off and everything. ANNALIESE, STUDENT: How you move your feet and your arms, how you move your arms around and your head and your posture. CATHERINE: And do you guys ever trip over? ANNALIESE: Oh I have once or twice. TRAVIS, STUDENT: Yeah a few times. I once actually done the splits nearly. You get partnered up by age and because you spend so much time together it's very important you get along! ROGER, STUDENT: If you hate each other’s guts then it's not going to work haha. Now eight year old Lachie is clearly not my age or my size, but I thought he'd be roughly my standard.

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Don't think he agreed. (Lachie rolls his eyes) Personally I thought I deserved this. (I steel a large trophy off the shelf and run out of class, being chased by the class) Presenter Don't worry, she did give the trophy back eventually but police still want to question her for crimes against the foxtrot. QUIZ 2 Which of the following is NOT a competitive dance?

a. Cha Cha b. Twist c. Rumba

Answer: Twist ONLINE POLL Now there's actually a push for dancesport to be at the Olympics. What do you think about that? We'll make that our poll. The question is "Should dancesport be included in the Olympics?" If you want to vote go to our website at abc.net.au/btn CLOSER And that's it for another show - don't forget you can get a news updates every Monday to Friday at 5 to 6 in BTN Daily. Catch ya later.