There are currently intermittent issues with the display of images on the old catalogue and Library website. We are working to resolve the issue and apologise for any inconvenience. Please search the new catalogue.
FAR Out!
Find out all about our regional program, FAR Out!
Access digitised images and catalogue records for the collection items we take on tour, related content that can be used in the classroom, information on the background to this program, syllabus links, and more.
FAR Out! - Supported by Foundation
Established in 1989 as the major fundraising arm of the State Library, the Foundation has contributed over $30 million from the private sector to support the important work of the Library.
Assisting the Library in offering unique learning opportunities to children across the state has long been a priority area for the Foundation. The FAR Out! program is one of the Foundation's longest standing projects. The Foundation-funded FAR Out! program is an extraordinary learning experience that allows Library educators to take invaluable primary source materials to students across NSW, providing them with a rich and rare opportunity to engage with a slice of history that they may otherwise never enounter first-hand.
To find out more about the Foundation, and its invaluable work with the Library, click here.
Syllabus links
The following syllabus outcomes are addressed by the FAR Out! program:
History Stage 2
A student:
- HT2-3 describes people, events and actions related to world exploration and its effects
Geography Stage 2
A student:
- GE2-4 acquires and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry
Related learning activities for the classroom
Looking for more Stage 2 History and Geography content for your classroom? Check out our learning activities:
History
- Female convicts in the First Fleet
- Sydney - A story of change
- Captain James Cook
- Journey of the First Fleet
- Aboriginal women of Sydney
Geography
- Places are Similar and Different - Blue Mountains
- Places are Similar and Different: Climate of Places
- The Earth's Environment - Animal Habitats
- The Earth's Environment - Vegetation Types
- Places are Similar and Different - Glebe and Gulargambone
- Places are Similar and Different - Macquarie Island World Heritage Area
What people are saying about FAR Out!
Students
I felt happy because I couldn't just fly to Sydney and see the treasures so I was happy that they brought them to me! (Bree, 11, Crystal Creek Public School)
My favourite object was the list because it was in Mathew Flinders handwriting and it was old. Tonight when I go home I'm going to tell my family about how we had to dress up and you got us included and how it was interesting and not boring. (Ava, 12, Kingscliff Public School)
I felt excited and interested because the State Library team told us a lot about the items and artefacts that they brought with them. I also really loved how informative and fun it was for the kids. (Emily, 12, St Mary of the Angels)
Teachers
The students will have a better understanding after seeing the resources first hand. (Ben Venue Public School)
Wonderful knowledge of staff will enhance my teaching knowledge further. Thank you. (Armidale City Public School)
In Stage 2 it covers lots of our outcomes such as first contact etc. It just highlighted lots of great Australian history. Thank you for visiting. (Sandon Public School)
Related stories from the Library's collections
The Library's collections of over 6 million items are a treasure trove of potential for your classroom.
To get you started, here are some of the stories written about collections that relate to the Stage 2 History syllabus area covered by the FAR Out! program:
- Captain Cook's voyages of discovery
- From Terra Australis to Australia
- Voyages of Discovery: The Great South Land
- The Spanish Quest for Terra Australis
- Matthew Flinders: placing Australia on the map
- Eora: Indigenous Sydney before European settlement
- The convict experience
- Governor Arthur's Proclamation to the Aborigines
News
Blogs
Podcasts