Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

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Story
Samuel Showell

Guest curator Bobbie Blackson introduces Samuel Showell, a leading figure in the Deaf Community of the early 20th Century.

Story
John Fitzgerald, Deaf Convict

Curator Breda Carty introduces John Fitzgerald, a deaf convict who was transported to Australia in 1818. 

Story
Daisy Muir

Guest curator Melissa Anderson explains the early life and significance of Daisy Muir.

Mystery
The Mystery of John Fitzgerald’s Grave

John Fitzgerald appeared at the Old Bailey in London in September 1818, accused of “feloniously assaulting” a man in company with two others, and stealing from him a watch, three seals and a key.

Story
Collectors

Guest curator Donovan Cresdee describes growing up seeing collectors working for deaf organisations, and explains their role and their impact.

Story
A “Graduation Pageant and Ball”

Did your school or Deaf Society organise “Graduation Balls” or “Debutante Balls” in the past? These have mostly been

Story
Timeline of Australian Deaf History

This timeline traces key moments in the history of Deaf people and communities in Australia, highlighting their achievements, advocacy, and

Story
John Carmichael

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

Story
Jim and Eva Johnston’s Photo Album

Old family photograph albums can be full of treasures. Patti Levitzke-Gray shares a photograph album that belonged to her

Story
1909 Deaf Leaders Series

In 1909, the South Australian Deaf Monthly News published a series of articles on Deaf Community leaders from around the

Story
Colin Lee Fairweather

There have been several examples of deaf people who have worked

Booth and Mortlock

A written conversation

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Artefact

Daisy Muir

Leading deaf woman in the early 20th Century.

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Artefact

Daisy Muir – A Remarkable Influence in the Deaf Community

Masters thesis by Melissa Anderson on the life of Daisy Muir.

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Artefact

Postcard from Gus Levitzke to Dot Shaw

Postcard from a sailor.

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Artefact

Darwin after Cyclone Tracy

In this video, Katrina Parker shares her experience of moving to Darwin in 1975 as part of the workforce for the reconstruction of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy.

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Artefact

Heritage in Our Hands 1

Early Childhood

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Artefact

Trial of John Fitzgerald, 1818

Old Baily trial record 1818

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.4 No.6

Including an article on F.J. Rose.

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Artefact

In Sydney, 1922

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston. Jim is on the right.

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Artefact

Heritage in our Hands 2

School Days 1

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Artefact

Trial of James Smith

Old Baily trial record 1827

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.4 No.7 – Excerpt

An article on Samuel Showell.

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Artefact

Samuel Showell

Samuel Showell during his time as Superintendent at the Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission.

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Artefact

At Long Gully Adelaide, 1922

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston. Eva is third from the right and Jim is second from the right.

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Artefact

Heritage in our Hands 3

School Days 2

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Artefact

Trial of Elizabeth Steel

Old Baily trial record 1787

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.4 No.8 – Excerpt

An article on John Edward Muir.

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Artefact

At Home in the Past

Deaf customs before smartphones.

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Artefact

At Fern Tree Gully, 1922-1923

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston. Jim is at the top left.

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Artefact

Heritage in Our Hands 4

Employment

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Artefact

John Fitzgerald’s petition to the Governor

1822 attempt to plead for freedom

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.4 No.9 – Excerpt

An article on Emanuel Solomon.

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Artefact

Alfred Eaton

Deaf leader in the 1930s

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Artefact

Letter from T Goss to Gibbs, 22/6/1878
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Artefact

At Warrandyte, 1923 (A)

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston.

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Artefact

Heritage in Our Hands 5

Deaf Community 1

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Artefact

Ticket of Leave, 1843

1843 ticket of leave

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.4 No.12 – Excerpt

An article on Lily Showell.

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Artefact

John Paul

Missioner with the Queensland breakaway association

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Artefact

Letter from Moore Hesketh to Gibbs, 17/5/1877
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Artefact

At Warrandyte, 1923 (B)

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston.

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Artefact

Heritage in Our Hands 6

Deaf Community 2

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Artefact

Running away, 1831

1831 John Fitzgerald ran away

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.5 No.1 – Excerpt

An article on Eugene Salas.

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Artefact

Ernest Quinnell’s Card

Described by Della Bampton

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Artefact

Herbert Hersee
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Artefact

Picnic, 1923

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston.

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Artefact

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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