The Breakaways
A “breakaway” group is a splinter group that forms following a disagreement in an organisation or group. These occur throughout history in religious, political and other organisations, and were especially notable in the turbulent 1920s.
In the 1920s, Deaf Societies around Australia were already well established. Although deaf people had been active in their establishment, the boards of these organisations became increasingly dominated by hearing people. As the early deaf missioners such as Salas and Showell left their posts, they were replaced deliberately by hearing missioners from overseas.
“… this courageous attempt to secure that measure of self-determination which is surely the prerogative of any and every citizen, whether he can hear or not!”
Rev. E. J. Davidson, Toc H, 1929, describing the NSW Breakaway
Catalysts for Change
John Paul
John Paul began working as Superintendent at the Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission in March 1927.
Herbert Hersee
Herbert Hersee
Herbert Hersee began working as Welfare Director at the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of NSW in April 1928.
The First Breakaway
1929
Angry Meeting
Deaf reaction to the dismissal of Hersee.
1929
New Society Formed
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a new society has been formed.
1929
Wild Meeting, Policemen Present
A rowdy AGM ensued in the following August.
Fletcher Booth
Fletcher Booth was one of the leaders of the Breakaway in NSW.
1930
Conflicting Loyalties
Bob Herman talking about the time when there were two deaf clubs.
The Second Breakaway
1931, August
Breakaway in Queensland
The Queensland Times announces the formation of a breakaway organisation in Queensland.
Martha Overend Wilson
Martha Overend Wilson was a long-serving leader in the Deaf Community in Queensland.
What happened to the breakaways?
1934
NSW Charitable Collections Act 1934
The Charitable Collections Act (1934) was the act that eventually forced the closure of the NSW Association of Deaf and Dumb Citizens. It meant that only one deaf-related organisation could receive a licence from the government for collecting public subscriptions.
1937, August
Amalgamation
The NSW Association of Deaf and Dumb Citizens, the breakaway association, lasted from 1929 to 1937. There was then an “amalgamation” or merger of the breakaway and the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of NSW.
Lasting Memories
The Story of Ernest Quinnell's Collector's Card
Memories of the breakaways were deep and long-lasting. Della Bampton tells the story of discovering her grandfather Ernest Quinnell’s Collector’s Card for the NSW breakaway, many years later.
