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A “Graduation Pageant and Ball”

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

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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

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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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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

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1909 Deaf Leaders Series

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

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Colin Lee Fairweather

There have been several examples of deaf people who have worked

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Samuel Showell

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

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John Fitzgerald, Deaf Convict

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

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Daisy Muir

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

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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.

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Collectors

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

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Heritage in Our Hands 7

Home and Society

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Artefact

“N.S.W. Deaf Mutes”

Photo taken at a picnic.

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Artefact

South Australian Deaf Monthly News 1909 Vol.5 No.2 – Excerpt

An article on Martha Overend Wilson.

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Artefact

Gustave Damman, Daisy’s Brother

Daisy’s brother Gustave Damman was also deaf.

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Artefact

Deaf Action Books, 1984

Deaf Action Books began in 1984 as a project of the ‘Concerned Deaf’ group in NSW, selling deaf-related books. It had an office and shop space in the Deaf Society of NSW building at Stanmore, soon moving into a space

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Artefact

Group at Long Gully Adelaide, 1926

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston. Jim is at the back, fourth from the right.

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Artefact

Heritage in Our Hands transcripts

Translation into English

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Artefact

Visit of Helen Keller to Australia

1948 visit of Helen Keller

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Artefact

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

An article on F.J. Rose.

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Artefact

Golf at Warburton

Daisy Muir, Dorothy Johnston and Nora Mansfield playing golf at Warburton in Victoria

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Artefact

Deaf Action Books Logo

This was the logo of ‘Deaf Action Books’, the fore-runner of Deafness Resources Australia and The Auslan Shop. It was stamped in all the books and products they sold. Do you know who designed this logo? If so, please let

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Artefact

Jim Johnston on board the Hygeia, Melbourne, 1926

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston. Jim is on the right. The Hygeia was a steamer built in the UK in 1890. It operated in Port Phillip Bay between Melbourne and Sorrento until demand for passenger trips plummeted

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Artefact

Deafblind man Edward Cork reading braille book

At Blackburn, Victoria

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John Yeoman petition

Petition to the Governor for land.

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Artefact

“Nimble fingers which are her fortune”

1933 Article about Ella Doran

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Artefact

Daisy Damman c. 1901

1900s

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James and Eva Johnston on the roof of the Grosvenor Hotel, Adelaide, 1926

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston. Jim and Eva are sitting at the back left. The State Library of South Australia has an image of the hotel during its construction in 1919: https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+16110

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Artefact

Deafblind man Edward Cork basket-making, chair-mending, bottle-covering

At Blackburn, Victoria

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Artefact

James Smith Indent

James Smith Indent

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Artefact

Sign Language Used At Deaf And Dumb Wedding

1934 Wedding of Phyllis Maggs and R. W. Poynter, interpreted by Mr. A. G. H. Cox

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Daisy in her Buick

1920s

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Daisy on the road from the Muir home, Warburton

From the album of Jim and Eva Johnston.

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Artefact

Deafblind man Cork and Shirra conversing on steps

At Blackburn, Victoria

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Artefact

James Smith Certificate of Freedom

James Smith Certificate of Freedom

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Artefact

Bowed Assent

1935 Deaf Wedding without Interpreter

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Artefact

Daisy Muir and Doris Hickey at a dinner dance, mid 20th century

Daisy Muir remained active in Deaf community organisations and was frequently a guest of honour at community events. In this

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Conversing with deaf-blind men

Each conversing with a woman on the steps at Blackburn.

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Shipping Indent for the Baring (2)

John Fitzgerald Indent

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Deaf Mutes Married by Sign Language

1941 Deaf Wedding

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60th Anniversary Reunion 1961

1961

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Marriage Certificate

Samuel Showell officiated at the wedding of Leslie Watts and Edith Morey

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Artefact

The Deaf Mute: A Convict Incident of Macquarie Harbour

–

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Deaf mutes wed by sign language

1949 Wedding in Neutral Bay

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Artefact

Daisy Muir’s 90th birthday party, 1964

Daisy Muir was honoured with a 90th birthday party in the Community Hall at the Victorian Deaf Society in Jolimont

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Artefact

Certificate of Honourable Discharge

This certificate presented to Robert Samuel Holmes, was found in the Deaf Community collection in Mile End, South Australia. We would be grateful for any ideas about Robert Samuel Holmes, and why his “King’s Certificate” was kept with these records.

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Artefact

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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Artefact

Martha Overend Wilson

Leader in the Deaf Community in Queensland and nationally.

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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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