Banjo Paterson Colouring Worksheet: Celebrating Australia’s Famous Bush Poet

Description

Bring a touch of Australian heritage to your classroom with this Banjo Paterson colouring worksheet. This activity introduces kids to one of Australia’s most beloved literary figures — the poet who gave us Waltzing Matilda and The Man from Snowy River. It’s a creative way to combine art and history while celebrating Australian culture.

What’s Inside This Worksheet

• A detailed portrait of Banjo Paterson to colour

• Australian bush background featuring a horse, hills, and trees

• Space for students to add their own notes or fun facts

• Perfect for displays, history projects, or national celebrations like Australia Day

Who Was Banjo Paterson?

Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton Paterson, 1864–1941) was a poet, journalist, and author who captured the heart of the Australian bush. His poems celebrated everyday heroes like drovers and stockmen, showing the courage, humour, and independence that shaped the Aussie spirit.

Famous works include:

• The Man from Snowy River

• Clancy of the Overflow

• Waltzing Matilda (Australia’s unofficial national song!)

Why This Worksheet Is Great for Kids

• Encourages curiosity about Australian history and literature

• Strengthens fine motor skills through colouring

• Inspires reading and poetry appreciation

• Easy to integrate into lessons on Federation, the bush, or Australian identity

Teachers and homeschoolers can pair this activity with poetry reading sessions or creative writing tasks inspired by Banjo’s famous verses.

How to Use This Worksheet

1. Introduce Banjo Paterson — show a picture or read a short poem aloud.

2. Hand out the colouring sheet and discuss what’s in the background (horse, hills, nature).

3. As students colour, play a reading of Waltzing Matilda or The Man from Snowy River.

4. Encourage kids to write three facts about Banjo or draw a scene from one of his poems.

5. Display the finished artwork on a “Famous Australians” classroom wall or bulletin board.

Extension idea:
Challenge older students to write a short bush poem of their own or design a postage stamp featuring Banjo Paterson.

This Banjo Paterson colouring worksheet is a creative way to blend art, history, and literacy. Kids learn about Australia’s cultural roots while expressing themselves through colour and imagination. Add it to your Famous Faces or Australian Heritage series and watch history come to life on paper!