Located in the City of Stonnington, Como Historic House and Gardens is an ideal fieldwork resource for VCE Geography Unit 3.

Students can explore the house and gardens undertaking geographic investigations under the direction of their teacher, practicing key fieldwork skills and then apply and process the data to address the course requirements.

Social, historical, environmental, economic, physical, political and technological factors are all important elements that students will be able to identify during their visit. The key concepts of location, scale, distance, distribution, region, movement, spatial interaction and change can also be applied.

Please download the complete Teachers Kit including Student Fieldwork Exercise here.

The field work outcome requires students to describe characteristics of Como and justify a policy for its future sustainable use and management using data collected in the field. Students can examine current management policy and prepare their own proposals to ensure sustainable use of a valuable heritage site such as Como.

Fieldwork can also be undertaken to identify the nature of Como as a resource and identify its geographic characteristics.

Through a tailored house tour, students will be able to recognise the change in styles and dates of construction for the different sections of the house and past uses of major rooms. The guide would explain why the house is presented in the era it is. Certain paintings and maps in the house will be pointed out as they give information about changing use. Students should also be able to identify management techniques used to maintain the house and contents while still giving visitors an enjoyable experience.

The garden tour will show the current uses, indicate areas where use differed in the past, recreation, management problems, management strategies.} Students will also be given time to speak with the property duty manager for a question and answer session.

Many activities can be undertaken pre visit, e.g. preparing the questions for the house and garden guides and the duty manager, regarding use, change over time and management.

The preparation and field work activities in this kit are suggestions only. The format of the write-up of the report is for the teacher to decide.

For more information or to have a tour tailored to your particular needs please contact us on 9827 2500 or via email to como@nattrust.com.au