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Civics, Citizenship and Leadership: What Students Learn from Australia's Political Icons at Madame Tussauds Sydney

  • Thursday 27th August 2026
  • Schools

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Civics and Citizenship can be one of the harder HSIE topics to make tangible for students - government structures and democratic processes are abstract until there's a face attached to them. At Madame Tussauds Sydney, students stand face-to-face with the leaders who've shaped Australian democracy, from prime ministers to changemakers, turning a textbook topic into a conversation.

Democracy You Can Stand Next To

Rather than reading about political leadership in the abstract, students can:

  • Compare leadership styles across different eras and parties
  • Discuss the role of public speaking and persuasion in politics, standing where a speech might have been given
  • Explore how individuals - not just institutions - shape a nation's direction

It's an approach that turns "who was the Prime Minister in [year]" into "what did this person actually do, and how did they convince people to follow them?"

Beyond Politics: Leadership in Every Field

Civics and Citizenship isn't only about parliament. Madame Tussauds Sydney's figures span sport, science and public life, giving teachers room to broaden the conversation into what leadership and civic contribution look like outside government - from advocacy to community influence.

Curriculum Connections

HSIE: Civics and Citizenship

  • Government and democracy
  • Citizenship, diversity and identity
  • Democratic values and the role of the individual

English

  • Persuasive language, rhetoric and public speaking

History

  • Key figures and their influence on Australian and world events

A Self-Guided Excursion That Runs on Your Timetable

Madame Tussauds Sydney's school excursions are self-guided, which means teachers can shape the visit around a specific curriculum focus, pausing longer at figures relevant to a current unit, or setting a scaffolded worksheet task that has students compare two leaders' approaches. It's flexible enough to slot into a single-period visit or extend into a full day when combined with another Darling Harbour attraction.

FAQs

Yes, the format works for both. Primary classes can use it as an introduction to "who runs the country," while secondary classes can go deeper into democratic processes and rhetoric.

Madame Tussauds Sydney's classroom and excursion resources can be adapted or paired with teacher-designed worksheets to guide a Civics and Citizenship focus during the self-guided visit.

Yes, many schools pair Madame Tussauds Sydney with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo or Sydney Tower Eye, all within walking distance in Darling Harbour.

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