YEAR 12 ATAR ENGLISH
Boy Swallows Universe
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INTRODUCTION
This page has been created to support Year 12 ATAR English students who are doing a novel study of Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton and is a starting point for those researching the issue of living in poverty.
Note: Some people may find the content in these pages confronting and/or distressing. If any content raises concerns for you please seek support from either our school psychologists or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Created by: Ms Bright | Last updated: March 2021
HOW MANY AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY?
As families prepare for the new school year a charity has warned there’s a “veneer of affluence” in Australian society with 70 per cent of people underestimating the number of children living in poverty.
ABC News (Australia). (2020, January 27). 70% of people underestimate how many children in Australia live in poverty, charity says [Video]. https://youtu.be/pa3mo24DL7w
STRUGGLE STREET S1, E1
Struggle Street is a three-part, fly on the wall observational documentary series gives a voice to those doing it tough right on the doorstep of Australia’s most affluent cities.
Season 1, Episode 1: Ashley, whose health stopped him driving trucks, shows how to make a few dollars by driving around looking for scrap metal. Erin’s former house gets trashed, and William shows how he can get a meal using a sling shot accurately.
If you want to watch more episodes you can find them on SBS on Demand
STRUGGLE STREET S2, E1
Struggle Street is a three-part, fly on the wall observational documentary series gives a voice to those doing it tough right on the doorstep of Australia’s most affluent cities.
Season 2, Episode 1: We meet those from diverse backgrounds facing a range of challenges, from unemployment to addiction and a lack of housing. Single mother Norma is facing homelessness and Kiwi shelter residents Jarrod and Sharon battle to overcome addiction.
If you want to watch more episodes you can find them on SBS on Demand
POVERTY IN AUSTRALIA (EBOOK)
Healey, J. (Ed. ). (2019). Poverty and inequality in Australia. Spinney Press.
One in eight adults and more than one in six children are living in poverty, while the share of income going to the top is growing at the expense of low- and middle-income earners. The disparity between rich and poor Australians extends beyond income to educational, postcode, intergenerational and technological inequality – all of which are at the core of opportunity.
REPORTS (ONLINE)
Anglicare Australia. (2018). State of the Family Report: The Real Story https://www.anglicare.asn.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/state-of-the-family—web-version.pdf
The 2018 State of the Family report explores attitudes towards people experiencing poverty. It also reflects on what these attitudes mean for how we as advocates communicate and persuade.
NEWS ARTICLES (ONLINE)
Chanthadavong, A. (2017, December 8). What’s it like to experience (and overcome) poverty? SBS. https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/voices/culture/article/2017/11/21/whats-it-experience-and-overcome-poverty
Poverty can happen to anyone. Here are just three stories of people who overcame disadvantaged circumstances.
Hermant, N. (2016, October 29). Poverty in Australia: We’ve never been richer, so why hasn’t the poverty rate budged? ABC. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-29/poverty-rate-in-australia-increasing-report-shows/7974996
Australia has made no progress in the fight against poverty over a decade, in fact, the percentage of Australians living in poverty actually increased according to a recently released report.
Hutchins, G. (2018, October 16). More than three million Australians living in poverty, Acoss report reveals. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/more-than-three-million-australians-living-in-poverty-acoss-report-reveals
Peak welfare body calls for overhaul of employment services and at least two days a week of subsidised early childhood care.
Naujokas, N. (2018, May 17). Life on the breadline: It’s a relentless daily struggle to not feel bad about yourself. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/17/life-on-the-breadline-its-a-relentless-daily-struggle-to-not-feel-bad-about-yourself
Stone, W., Baker, E., Ralston, L., Phibbs, P., & Bentley, R.(2016, September 6). By 2030, ‘no Australian child will be living in poverty’ – why can’t we promise that? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/by-2030-no-australian-child-will-be-living-in-poverty-why-cant-we-promise-that-64166
Following revelations that more than 300,000 children are living in poverty, the New Zealand government has announced the creation of a ministry for vulnerable children. This should cause Australian leaders to pause and think – how many vulnerable children live in poverty here? And should we be doing something about it?
WEBSITES
Australian Council of Social Service. University of New South Wales. (n.d.). Poverty and inequality in Australia. http://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/
ACOSS (the Australian Council of Social Service) has partnered with UNSW Sydney to undertake a five year research and impact collaboration to sharpen the national focus on poverty and inequality in Australia. You’ll find statistics and stories of people behind these numbers.
The Smith Family. (2020). Poverty in Australia. https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/poverty-in-australia
Not all children get an equal start in life. Today, one in six Australian children and young people are living in poverty, where even life’s basics are hard to come by.
An animated web series based on the real stories of Australian children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Meet Alice, Jess, Steven and David – four children whose tales are typical of the struggles and isolation many of the one in six disadvantaged Australia children face.
GROWING UP POOR (VIDEO)
We hear from the adult world all the time about what poverty is and how to fix it, but rarely from the children who experience it. Nobody likes to admit they’re poor but children from five families allowed Four Corners into their lives to show us the world from their point of view.
Wilesmith, G. & Fallon, M. (Producers). (2012). Four Corners: Growing up poor [Video]. ClickView.
Click HERE for the online link that includes the transcript and other website links.