This short exchange of letters in November 1880 may be one of the earliest attempts to set up a deaf organisation in Australia. In Melbourne, a small group of deaf men called the Deaf Mute Association wrote to F. J. Rose, asking if he would be President of a proposed organisation called the Adult Deaf and Dumb Association. It is not clear, but it seems that the proposed Association would be a new version of the existing one.
It looks like F. J. Rose kept this series of letters – this little collection has the original letters from the Deaf Mute Association, but Rose’s replies shown below are copies – he wrote them on old scrap paper for his own records before sending the official letters to the Deaf Mute Association.
The Proposal
“…the main objects are the moral, intellectual and social improvement of the deaf mutes. We propose to effect this by lectures, debates, discussions, conversation and reading…”
1880, 2nd November
This letter is from George Moore, the Honorary Secretary of the Deaf Mute Association, to F. J. Rose, deaf Superintendent of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. The letter invites Rose to become President of a new Adult Deaf and Dumb Association. The letter includes the signatures of seven Committee members of the Deaf Mute Association. Note that one of them is Thomas Pattison, who founded the first school for deaf children in New South Wales in 1860. He was living in Melbourne at this time. He would have been much older than all the others, who were in their 20s.The pencilled notes listing some of the members’ ages were probably added by F. J. Rose.
TRANSCRIPT:
Coffee Tavern Prahran
2/11/80
To Frederick J. Rose Esq.
Dear Sir,
We the undersigned members of the Committee of the Deaf Mute Association have decided to elect you as the President of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Association as you have done much good to the Deaf and Dumb these twenty years and take a great interest in them, we respectfully beg you to accept the office of President.
We are,
Your’s etc.
—–
Andrew Clarke Chairman
Geo. W. Moore Secretary
A C Muir Treasurer 22
Alexander Wilson 26
Thomas Pattison
David Piper 23
Wm. P. Muir 22
J. T. Bond 23
Coffee Taverns
What was the ‘Coffee Tavern’ at Prahran? Why did the Deaf Mute Association meet there?Coffee taverns or ‘coffee palaces’ were large hotels that did not serve alcohol. They were associated with the temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol use. They were often large and ornate buildings. By meeting in the ‘Coffee Tavern’, the Deaf Mute Association may have been trying to show that they were responsible and sensible young men. We do not have an image of the Prahran Coffee Tavern, but this image shows another coffee palace in Melbourne around the same time.
1880, 5th November
F. J. Rose replied to George Moore, asking for more information about the aims (‘Objects’) of the proposed new organisation. This is a copy of the letter he sent – it is written on the back of some old letter paper, kept for his records.
TRANSCRIPT:
Mr Geo M Moore
Secretary of the Deaf Mute Association
Dear Sir
I have the honour to acknowledge the recept of your note of 2nd inst. signed by the members of the Deaf Mute Association conveying to me their desire to elect me as President of the Association, and requesting my acceptance of the office. In reply I beg to return my thanks to the chairman and members of the Association for the honour conferred upon me. Before taking any decided step in the matter. I should like to be informed as to what are the main objects of the society and how it will be maintained? Then I shall be better able to give my decision. In the meantime have the assurance of my sincere regard for the welfare of the Society from Yours fraternally
5/11/1880
1880, 8th November
George Moore wrote back to F. J. Rose explaining the aims of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Association.
TRANSCRIPT:
32 Izett St Prahran
November 8th 1880
Frederick J. Rose Esq.
Dear Sir.
I am a receipt of your note of the 5th and in reply to your questions as to the main objects of the Association and how it is to be maintained; (I) 1st the main objects are the moral, intellectual and social improvement of the deaf mutes. We propose to effect this by lectures, debates, discussions, conversation and reading, for which latter purpose we will endeavour to establish a reading room for their exclusive use. 2nd as we are not wealthy, we will of course, in the first instance, appeal to personal friends for pecuniary assistance. We shall be as judicious in the management of our affairs as possible. I trust this explanation will suffice for the present.
With great respect I remain dear Sir
Your etc
Geo W. Moore
Hon Secretary
12th November, 1880
Rose replied, saying that he didn’t think there were enough deaf people with “business tact” to manage the proposed association, and advised that he hoped to establish a building for adult deaf people in the grounds of the school. (This is a copy of the letter he sent Moore, written on scrap paper for his records.)
TRANSCRIPT:
12/11/80
Mr Geo W. Moore
Hon Secretary
Deaf Mute Association
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your answers to mine of the 5th inst. On considering over the matter I cannot at present avail myself of the request of the Committee to accept the office of President of the Deaf Mute Association for the following reasons
– It is an office of responsibility
– At the present time there is not a sufficient body of fellow mutes possessing business tact to undertake the responsibility of the Society
I am well aware there exists great need of a place wherein the adult deaf mutes could meet together for their mutual benefit. It has been my intention for a long time when the proposed improvements in this place are carried out; to propose to the Committee of this Institution the erection of a suitable building within the grounds of the Institution for worship and social meetings for the special benefit of adult deaf mutes. It would be a great boon to them to have such an advantage with convenience and comfort provided. The Action of the Association is however praiseworthy in its attempts to ameliorate their condition and wishing it and all concerned every success
Believe me dear Sir
Yours faithfully
This little group – the Deaf Mute Association/Adult Deaf and Dumb Association – was disbanded the following year.
Some of these men continued to work towards having regular church services and meeting places for deaf adults. Within a few years the Victorian Society for Promoting the Spiritual and Temporal Welfare of the Adult Deaf and Dumb was founded – the forerunner of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria.
