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Cane Cutters and Mateship

Year of production - 1948
Duration - 2min 13sec
Tags - Australian History, changing communities, continuity, identity, values, work, see all tags


Cane Cutters and Mateship

How to Download the Video Clip


download clip icon Premium MP4 cane_pr.mp4 (16.4MB).


Additional help.

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About the Video Clip





Background Information






*itinerant- travelling from place to place.

Classroom Activities

  1. What is the image of the cane cutter, cane cutting work and the cane industry presented in the video clip?
  2. The video clip presents an image of a society, as well as individuals. What are the main elements of that society? What is considered important in that society? Consider such elements as gender, technology, social values and personal values.
  3. The cane industry and cane communities were strongly influenced by both Italian and Pacific Islander immigration. Why might these voices have been excluded in the representation of the past as shown in this video clip?
  4. What evidence is in the film clip to support the notion that work impacts on a person’s identity?
  5. “After we have signed on we seal the contract with a quiet drink – we know each other the country contracts and the cane” What does this statement tell you about the nature of work for its narrator?
  6. How has work in the sugar industry changed over time?

Further Resources


Stage Play

Go to Pacific Stories and choose Sugar Slaves