New colourful character in citizenship education

Gina Giraffe can’t wait to become an Australian citizen and thousands of children will learn all about her journey to citizenship in a new-look schools resource kit released today by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Released to coincide with Australian Citizenship Day 2008, the kit will teach children about citizenship and civic values through the stories of new character Gina Giraffe joining her friends Tilly Bilby, Pledge Platypus and Benjiro Bear.

The updated citizenship school resource kit has been distributed to more than 8000 primary schools and a secondary school teachers’ resource brochure has arrived in the mailboxes of almost 3000 secondary schools.

DIAC Secretary Andrew Metcalfe said the kit would teach children about Australian values, the process of becoming a citizen and the privileges and responsibilities of being a citizen.

'The resource is also great fun. It contains puzzles, games, quizzes and online learning tasks,' Mr Metcalfe said. 'Gina Giraffe’s journey will engage children. She is keen to learn about Australia and share her ideas, interests and skills with her new friends.

'Children will follow Gina as she prepares to be a citizen, learns about Australia, takes the pledge, enrols to vote and applies for a passport.'

Mr Metcalfe urged teachers and children to use the kit to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day and also to hold a citizenship affirmation ceremony in their schools to mark the occasion.

'Everybody is welcome to participate in an affirmation ceremony and celebrate Australian citizenship – it is not just for Australian citizens,' Mr Metcalfe said. 'Australian Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians to think about what it means to be Australian and celebrate our democratic values, equality and respect for each other.

'I look forward to children having great fun learning about citizenship today and in weeks and months to come through the schools resource kit,' Mr Metcalfe said.

Teachers: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/resources/teachers/index.htm
Students: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/resources/students/index.htm

Media enquiries: National Communications Branch (02) 6264 2244