The I Australians and the Pase project was initiated in response to growing historical interest and awareness in Australia. This attention to the past has manifested itself in both local and personal histories, as well as in increasing tension and debate oyer Australian historY. more broadly, ' School history is intrinsically situated in these discussions. Debates over history syllabuses are inseparable from the contemporary struggles and desires to represent Australia through its heritage. Indigenous histories in particular have incited most response, although migrant, feminist and comparative post-colonial units in history syllabuses have also produced significant reaction. Teaching history, and Australian history in particular, is loaded with the political context (and contest) of articulating the national past. This article examines the lAustralians and the Past' survey in the context of school history using interviews with history teachers conducted as part of the project
