The Frewin Brothers
Fred Arthur Frewin (1859-1943) and Frank Ernest Frewin (1863-1950) were two of at least four sons born to Rev. John Frederick Frewin in London. We know that Frank arrived in Australia in 1882 with his father but it isn’t clear when Fred arrived. Frank appears to have been the only deaf person in his family, but Fred seems to have been able to sign – he worked as Missioner in Victoria from 1888 to 1892 and is recorded in the newspapers as the interpreter for a court case.
1889, May
Fred Frewin (the hearing brother of Frank Frewin), interpreted at this trial, and also gave evidence.
1889, September
In 1889, a group of deaf men in Melbourne called the Deaf and Dumb Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society put on a performance for the deaf children at the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institute. The performance included a signed song, a ‘farce’ or comical performance, and drawing sketches on a blackboard. The deaf children loved it! A newspaper reporter also loved it and wrote about it for a Melbourne newspaper.
This evening of entertainment in 1889 included blackboard sketches, a play and a comic song interpreted into sign language.
Fred Frewin seems to have guided the writer of this newspaper article through the evening, and was also the singer of the comic song.
1920
Athletic Club Committee Men 1919-20, including Frank E. Frewin.
1934, October
In 1934 the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria celebrated their 50th anniversary with this Jubilee concert. It included several signed songs, and a play in one act – “Who’s to Win Him?”. The cast, director and stage manager of the play were all deaf.
Frank Frewin appears in the photo on the last page as one of the committee in 1902.
1934, December
NCOD Proposed Constitution
This proposed constitution was for the organisation established by Deaf Societies in opposition to the Australian Association of the Advancement for the Deaf. It was usually known as the National Council of the Deaf (NCOD). Deaf people such as Frank Frewin are listed as members of the Council. While deaf people in NSW and Queensland had to choose between their Deaf Society and the local breakaway, Victoria never had a breakaway. It is interesting to speculate where the loyalties might have been in Victoria, had there been a choice to make. It is unclear whether this constitution was ever adopted.
This is just a small selection of artefacts relating to one family. Let us know if you would like to share other artefacts relating to the Frewin brothers or suggest collections relating to other families.
Related Lessons
English Year 10: Language for Empowerment
Students analyse a ‘manifesto’ about the value of writing for a minority group – deaf people – to identify the author’s strategies for appealing to shared cultural knowledge, values and beliefs, and the experience of marginalization. Students then analyse 2-3 historical texts for examples of language that includes or marginalizes deaf people.
