Unit 6: Malayan Emergency (1950 – 1960) and Indonesian Confrontation (1963 – 1966)

Malayan Emergency (1950 – 1960) and Indonesian Confrontation (1963 – 1966)

Around 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men were involved in the Malayan Emergency from 1950 to 1960 when Australia sent troops to protect British control of Malaya. From 1963 to 1966 Indigenous men were engaged in military conflict on Borneo, when Australia intervened in the war between the Federation of Malaysia and Indonesia. Torres Strait Islander man Mial Bingarape shares his story of his experience of jungle warfare, as well as the impact it had on him after he returned to the Torres Strait.

Download Teaching and Learning Overview (PDF, 1MB)

Learning intention

We are learning about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers who fought in the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.

Success criteria

• I understand the complex and varied reasons why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers fought in the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.
  
• I can describe the experiences faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.
  
• I understand why listening to Indigenous voices is important.
  

Unit 6: Malayan Emergency 1950 – 1960 Indonesian Confrontation 1963 – 1966

Part 1 - Stimulus video and listening notes

Part 2 - Class/group discussion

Part 3 - Definition of key concepts

Part 4 - Mial Bingarape case study

Part 5 - Independent study

Teaching and learning resources

This unit has a variety of teaching resources that provide background content knowledge and multi-media learning materials.

• Audio-visual stimulus
• Teaching worksheets
• Study notes
• Mial Bingarape case study
• Mial Bingarape tells his story
• Mial Bingarape story transcript