Drought and Discovery: Australia's Climatic Trials

This course delves into the harsh realities and scientific theories surrounding the great Australian drought of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We’ll explore how new settlers grappled with an unfamiliar climate and shifting rainfall patterns, from early misconceptions about ploughs influencing weather to failed experiments with tree planting aimed at inducing rainfall. Students will investigate the impact of the 1895 drought on small farmers and pastoralists, revealing the severe consequences for agriculture and wildlife. The course also examines the broader climatic shifts, including the dramatic decline in Australia’s sheep population and the subsequent economic struggles. Through the lens of personal diaries and historical data, we’ll trace the evolution of Australia’s climate understanding and its emotional connection to the land, highlighting how the droughts of this period reshaped the nation’s cultural and environmental landscape. IN DEVELOPMENT: COURSE OVERVIEW ONLY