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

Deaf Jurors

Guest curator Gaye Lyons explains her experience of being excluded from jury duty. She describes some surprising examples of deaf

Cricket

Guest curator Tony Clews takes time out of a game to explain the role of cricket in Australian Deaf sports

Stanmore

The Stanmore Deaf Centre at 123 Cambridge St was the location of the Deaf Society of NSW from the 1970s

National Deaf Organisations

Curator Dr Breda Carty introduces the largely forgotten history Australia’s early national deaf organisations.

Daisy Muir

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

The Breakaways

A “breakaway” group is a splinter group that forms following a disagreement in an organisation or group. These occur

Deaf Performance

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

John Fitzgerald, Deaf Convict

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

The Mystery of John Fitzgerald’s Grave

First Nations Deaf History

An Early Attempt to Establish a Deaf Association

John Carmichael

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

A “Graduation Pageant and Ball”

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

Mystery Film in the Tasmanian Archives

262 South Terrace, Adelaide

The building at 262 South Terrace, Adelaide, was home to the South Australian Deaf community and many of its

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

The Frewin Brothers

Collectors

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

Samuel Showell

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

Auslan

Guest curator Darlene Thornton explains how Auslan evolved through Australian Deaf history.

1909 Deaf Leaders Series

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

Deaf Writers’ Group

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

The Mystery of Michael Corran

We have found a story published in several different newspapers around the country in 1891-1892. It would be an amazing