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Colin Lee Fairweather

There have been several examples of deaf people who have worked

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Deaf Writers’ Group

Karen Lloyd describes the beginnings of the Deaf Writers Group in Sydney.

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The Tasmanian Silent Gazette

In 1930, the Tasmanian Society for the Blind and the Deaf began publishing a newsletter for the Tasmanian Deaf community.

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Deaf Performance

Guest curator Caroline Conlon explains the role of performance in Deaf communities, and how different types of performance have evolved

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John Carmichael

One of the first European deaf people who came to Australia in the early 19th century was John Carmichael. He

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Official Programme of the ADDSV Great Carnival

ADDSV Official Programme of the Great Carnival

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“King of black Native” 1826

Watercolour portrait by John Carmichael, 1826

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The Silent Messenger Oct 1973

NSW Deaf Society Magazine

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Silent Messenger April 1963
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Silent Messenger December 1964
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Silent Messenger June 1969
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Silent Messenger June 1972
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The Deaf Advocate [September] 1931
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NSW Deaf Journal 1910 Jan Vol.2 No.7
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NSW Deaf Journal 1912 May-Jun Vol.5 No.3
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Statue Performance

Pariotism in living statue form

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East Boyd NSW 1848

Etching by John Carmichael, 1848

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Sound Off No.2 Dec 1987

Magazine of the Deaf Writers’ Group

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Silent Messenger May 1963
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Tapestry

This tapestry hung in the entryway of the 262 building from 1985 until it closed in 2014. Its creation was a community project – a group of 27 people (mostly deaf, with some hearing family and friends) in South Australia

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Silent Messenger October 1969
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Silent Messenger September 1972
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NSW Deaf Journal 1910 Feb Vol.2 No.8
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NSW Deaf Journal 1912 Jul-Aug Vol.5 No.4
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Female Performers Group

Female Performers Group

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A portrait of ‘The Old Commodore’, Billy Blue, ca. 1834

Etching by John Carmichael, ca. 1834

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Sound Off No.3 May 1988

Magazine of the Deaf Writers’ Group

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Silent Messenger June 1963
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Silent Messenger January 1966
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Silent Messenger Christmas 1970
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Silent Messenger January 1973
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Alan Fairweather talking about work

Colin Fairweather’s Deaf nephew, Alan Fairweather (Jr), was well-known in the Sydney Deaf community during the second half of the 20th century. He mentioned his artist uncle Colin in this interview in the video series Heritage in Our Hands (1988).

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NSW Deaf Journal 1910 April Vol.2 No.10
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NSW Deaf Journal 1912 Sept-Oct Vol.5 No.5
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Performers Group

Image from the State Library of Victoria, Victorian Deaf Society collection.

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Commonwealth Silent Courier

September 1928

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Sound Off No.4 Apr 1989

Magazine of the Deaf Writers’ Group

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Silent Messenger August 1963
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Silent Messenger February 1966
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Silent Messenger February 1970
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Silent Messenger June 1973
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Tasmanian Silent Gazette Vol.1 No.1 July 1930
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NSW Deaf Journal 1910 May Vol.2 No.11
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The Gesture March April 1909

The March/April 1909 issue of the Victorian magazine, The Gesture.

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Map of the Colony of NSW

An 1834 representation of the Colony of NSW.

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Sound Off No.5 Aug 1989

Magazine of the Deaf Writers’ Group

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Silent Messenger September 1963
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Silent Messenger March 1966
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Welcome to the Deaf History Collections

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors to our site, recognising the long, rich, complex and unjustly disregarded histories of First Nations peoples in Australia.
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