Geography Teachers' Association of Victoria

Have you seen our latest webinar? In partnership with the Australian Centre for Career Education, this engaging session explores how the study of Geography can lead to diverse and rewarding career pathways. Hear from experts across education, geospatial science, planning, ecology, and conservation management as they share insights into the opportunities available for Geography students.

Topics include:
🌏 Geography pathways from F–10 and VCE and beyond
🛰️ Careers in geospatial science and emerging industry opportunities
🏙️ The role of Geography in planning and community development
🌿 Real-world experiences in ecology and conservation management

Featuring presentations from GTAV, RMIT University, the Planning Institute of Australia, and Yarra Ranges Council.

Watch the webinar recording here:

ACCE Webinar: Pathways in Geography: From Classroom Learning to Real-world Careers Presented by the Geography Teachers’ Association of Victoria (GTAV)...

📣 Registrations are now open for the GTAV Annual Conference 2026!

Join Geography educators from across Victoria for two inspiring days of professional learning, practical classroom ideas, networking and the latest in Geography education.

Fieldwork Day: Thursday 13 August at various locations
Conference Day: Friday 14 August at RACV City Club, Melbourne

🎟️ Register early and save with our Early Bird discounted rates available until 28 June. Don’t miss your chance to secure your place at the premier Geography educator conference.

View the full conference program and all that is on offer across the two days via the GTAV website:

https://gtav.asn.au/Web/Web/Events/2026-Annual-Conference/Conference-Overview.aspx

☂️ How often do our students (and the media) use weather terms that aren’t actually meteorological terms? This fascinating ABC article by meteorologist Tom Saunders debunks some of Australia’s most common weather myths - from “rain bombs” and “mini tornadoes” to misunderstandings about El Niño, rainfall terminology, and seasonal change.

It also provides valuable examples of how geographical knowledge can help students critically evaluate information they encounter online and in the news. A timely read for Geography educators looking to strengthen students’ understanding of weather systems and scientific evidence.

Debunking Australian weather's made-up terms and pseudoscience Meteorological rhetoric in Australia, including from the media, can at times be inaccurate, misconstrued or just completely fictitious.

🌐 VCE Geography teachers: looking for a contemporary discussion starter for Unit 2: Tourism? This recent article, The New Geography of Overtourism: How Cruises and Short-Term Rentals Are Reshaping Destinations, explores how cruise tourism and short-term accommodation platforms are transforming places such as Venice, Barcelona and Lisbon.

It highlights issues including overcrowding, housing affordability, changing neighbourhood character, environmental pressures, and the challenge of balancing tourism growth with community wellbeing. It makes for a useful contemporary case study to help students connect Unit 2 concepts with real-world geographical issues.

The New Geography Of Overtourism: How Cruises and Short-Term Rentals Are Reshaping Destinations | Outlook Traveller Cruise ships and short-term rentals are reshaping destinations where visitor numbers now regularly outpace local capacity and everyday life.

☔ Did you know that cities can actually influence how much it rains? This fascinating article from The Conversation is a great resource for Year 10 Environmental Change and Management, particularly when exploring the interconnection between human activity and atmospheric processes.

Recent research examining 15 major cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, found that urban areas experience more frequent rainfall events than surrounding rural areas. Scientists suggest that factors such as the urban heat island effect, taller buildings that alter airflow, and airborne particles from human activities can all contribute to changes in rainfall patterns.

The study also highlights an important geographical concept: interpreting data critically. Researchers discovered that improvements in satellite technology may have exaggerated some long-term rainfall trends, reminding us that the way we measure environmental change can influence our understanding of it.

A thought-provoking example of the complex relationships between people, places and environments - and a great discussion starter for the classroom.

Cities are making it rain more – but not as much as scientists thought A new study shows it does rain more in cities, but the trend over time has been exaggerated by changes in satellites.

🗺️ Looking for a great classroom resource? If you're teaching Year 8 Landscapes and Landforms or VCE Geography Unit 1: Geological Hazards, the two-part series Wonders of Volcanoes with Dara Ó Briain is well worth exploring.

Available on SBS On Demand, the series follows Dara Ó Briain as he investigates the immense power of Italy’s most active volcanoes, combining stunning visuals with fascinating insights into their impacts on people and environments.

Students can:

🌋 Explore case studies of Mt Etna and Mt Vesuvius
🌋 Examine how geospatial technologies are used to monitor volcanic activity
🌋 Consider the human dimensions of hazards, including why people continue to live in high-risk volcanic regions

A valuable resource for bringing geological hazards and landform processes to life in the classroom.

Watch Wonders of Volcanoes With Dara O Briain Watch Wonders of Volcanoes With Dara O Briain for free with SBS On Demand, your ultimate destination for diverse entertainment. Stream now!

👏 Are you, or do you know, an outstanding early-career Geography teacher making a difference in the classroom?

The Emerging Geography Educator Award recognises passionate and innovative educators who are making a significant contribution to Geography education in the early years of their teaching career. This award celebrates dedication, creativity, leadership, and a commitment to inspiring students to better understand our world.

Early-career teachers bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and enthusiasm to Geography education every day. The Emerging Geography Educator Award provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate these outstanding contributions to the profession.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 10 July.

👉 Learn more and nominate via the GTAV website: https://www.gtav.asn.au/Web/AboutUs/Beginning_Teachers_Award.aspx

🌎 What can Ebola teach us about geography? The fascinating article we've linked to in the comments of this post explores how global connectivity, human movement and international health systems influence the spread of infectious diseases. It’s a timely reminder that geography helps us understand how local events can have global impacts - and why place, movement and interconnection matter in our increasingly connected world. A valuable read for geography educators and students alike.

👏 Have you made a significant impact in Geography education through your teaching, leadership and dedication to students?

The Colin Green Excellence in Geography Teaching Award celebrates outstanding educators making a difference in Geography classrooms across Victoria.

If this sounds like you, don’t be afraid to put yourself forward and self-nominate.

Learn more and nomiate via the GTAV website
👉 https://gtav.asn.au/Web/AboutUs/Service-Awards.aspx

🏠 Researchers at Curtin and Swinburne universities are interested in how housing related concepts are being taught through the HASS curriculum in Australian year 7-10 classrooms.

Year 7-10 HASS teachers are invited to participate in a one-hour online focus group to share the ways in which they incorporate housing-related examples into their classrooms and lesson plans. We are also interested in hearing from you if you think there are ways in which housing concepts could be further incorporated into the HASS curriculum or would like to share with us resources that you need. There are five sessions available in May and others may become available in June.

https://www.gtav.asn.au/Web/Partner/curtin_swinburne_research.aspx