From Mission to Profession

1901 - 1950

Establishment of the Deaf and Dumb Association

At the time of Federation in 1901, there was a small group of Deaf people living in and around Brisbane who met regularly for social activities, religious services and Bible reading classes. In 1902, this group formed themselves into an Association called the Queensland Deaf and Dumb Association.  Through this Association, Sunday Services continued, a lending library was established and social meetings were held more regularly.

In September of 1902, Mr Samuel Showell was appointed as a Missionary and Collector. Mr Showell himself Deaf, was the first of a team of Collectors who travelled throughout Queensland to raise funds and to make contact with previously isolated Deaf people.

The local Deaf population warmly welcomed Mr Showell. Under his care and supervision membership in the Association grew and work flourished. Appeals for help to the general community were so successful that a meeting room was obtained in Darraghs Building, 331 Queen Street Brisbane.

Establishment of the Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission

Members soon realised they needed to formalise operations to provide accountability to the public.  On 13 March 1903, subscribers came together to establish a Mission for the Deaf to be called the Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission.

Mr Showell spent much of his time visiting the sick and those in need and several cases of real hardship had been alleviated. Important work was undertaken assisting young Deaf school leavers from the Deaf and Dumb Institution find employment.

In December 1903, Mr Showell attended the Australian Conference of Deaf Mutes in Melbourne.  Resolutions passed at the conference asking State Governments to provide compulsory education for deaf children and calling for the removal of the prohibition on deaf people moving freely from one State to another.

Deaf people in the country areas were encouraged to maintain a correspondence with the Central Mission.  To maintain connection, a monthly circular letter was sent out to Deaf people to help reduce their isolation.

During 1906 and 1907 the Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission started farming on land rented in South Brisbane and in Redbank. These farms assisted in providing useful employment for the deaf. The cotton grown was of such excellent quality that it won first prize at the National Exhibition.

Invaluable support was provided by the general community to help the Mission. Many establishments provided free board and lodging to Collectors.  Train and tram passes as well as coach tickets were often donated. In country towns, local people provided the use of horse and trap or a bicycle. In the city, Brisbane newspapers provided weekly copies of Queenslander for the Mission room.

Largely due to the generous support shown by the public, the Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission was able to establish itself quickly and favourably. In 1918, after nearly 16 years, the Mission finally had a permanent home with the completion of a building on the corner of Turbot Street and North Quay in Brisbane.

Public Institutions Act

In the early 1920’s, the education of Deaf children was a subject close to the hearts and minds of all those at the Mission.  Any opportunity was taken to advocate and increase awareness of the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution to achieve compulsory education for Deaf children.  In 1924, the Public Institutions Act was successfully accomplished with the result of compulsory education of Deaf children.

1925 brought with it the end of an era.  After 22 years of service Mr Showell resigns from the Mission.  Throughout the 22 years, Mr Showell built the fledging Mission into a successful and prosperous organisation.

Deaf and Dumb Carnival

In December 1946, the bi-annual Interstate Deaf and Dumb Carnival (which had been postponed due to World War 2) was resumed.  The Mission was host to 240 members of the Deaf community from all around Australia who participated in a range of social events and sporting competitions.

Helen Keller’s visit

One of the most exciting and significant events in the history of the Queensland Deaf Society occurred in 1948 with the visit to Brisbane of Helen Keller.  Her ability to inspire others with her determination, courage and will to overcome all obstacles is what made her particularly interesting and motivating for the Deaf community.  Helen had devoted her life to the welfare of the Blind and Deaf and during her short stay touched the hearts of many Queenslanders.  The Deaf, inspired by her belief in other to overcome virtually any disability, looked at themselves again through her eyes. And saw a world of fresh opportunities.  Helen Keller, perhaps more than any other sign individual, was the forerunner of ‘Deaf Rights’.

1950 -

Registration of Queensland Deaf and Dumb Society as a charity

As time marched on and the need increased for Deaf and hard of hearing Queenslanders, so did the fundraising efforts of the Mission. In 1952 the Queensland government introduced legislation requiring the registration of all charities that solicited funds from the public. Under the Charitable Collections Act 1952, the Mission was registered as a charity on 11 August 1953. At this time the Mission Council was considering a name change as the term ‘Mission’ was no longer considered appropriate as the aims of the organisation was to encourage independence and not to dole out charity. At a special meeting in February 1954 a resolution adopted, “that the Mission name be changed to Queensland Adult Deaf and Dumb Society”.

Commencement of Auslan Classes

In 1968, communication classes were commenced for members of the hearing community.  This service, provided by the Society, was initiated to encourage members of the public who came into contact with Deaf people to learn to sign.  These classes proved to be extremely popular with nearly 100 people across four classes attending.

During 1960’s, again the issue of the Society’s name was given much thought and debate. It was thought the term ‘Dumb’ should be removed from the name because in changed times it was considered demeaning and might give offence to many in both the deaf and hearing worlds.  Despite the pressures for change, it wasn’t until 1972 that the name change to Queensland Deaf Society officially occurred.

Establishment of Australian Theatre of the Deaf

1974 brought with it another development of the Deaf community.  The American National Theatre of the Deaf came to Australia in March 1974 to perform ‘Candide’ in Brisbane.  This gave the impetus for the Australian Deaf Community to establish its own theatre group.  Through the hard work of many Deaf people, the theatre quickly became established and became very successful.

Playgroups for Children of Deaf Adults

In 1975, an initiative was introduced to examine the problems encountered by hearing children with Deaf parents.  Parents with children who needed extra support with linguistic stimulation and vocabulary skills were advised to send their children to pre-school.  Another outcome from the work of this committee was recognition of the importance of hearing children of Deaf adults mixing with other children from an early age.  As a result of this finding, in February 1977 a Playgroup was started at DM Chadwick Hall for hearing children Deaf adults aged up to four years.

Growth of Interpreting Services

In the late 1970’s there was an ever-increasing demand for services.  Government Departments were referring a significantly increased number of clients to the Society, and requesting support in providing their own services.  In particularly, the demand for interpreting services was becoming more difficult to fulfil.  Members of the Deaf community were requesting interpreters for weddings and christenings, funerals, social and sporting events, in additional to legal, commercial and medical interpreting.

After intense lobbying with the Government to raise the awareness of Deaf issues, recognition was given to the need for a properly funded Medical Interpreting Service.  In 1979, the State Health Minister, Sir William Knox, set aside a sum of $15,000 for this purpose.

Growth of Deaf communities in Regional Areas and their need for services

The expansion of services continued with the move to regionalise services and increase contacts in country areas.  Volunteers in Toowoomba, Townsville and Mackay voluntarily gave their time to assist in welfare and interpreting matters for Deaf clients in these areas.  Through these contacts, the Society’s welfare staff in Brisbane kept abreast of issues affecting the Deaf community in these areas and made visits on a regular basis.  In October 1987, The Queensland Deaf Society opened the Townsville branch of the organisation to provide services to the Deaf community.

Partnership with Deaf Children Australia

2006 marked a big step forward in the history of our organisation. A partnership was formed with Deaf Children Australia to share expertise and resources. In April 2006 the name of the organisation was changed to Deaf Services Queensland to reflect the contemporary direction of professionalism in servicing the Deaf community. Deaf Services Queensland has stood the test of time and has tracked an adventurous journey from Mission to Profession. In doing so we remain dedicated to the values of the original objectives over 100 years ago – to provide services and resources enabling people who are deaf or hard of hearing achieve access and equity in their lives.

Excerpt is taken from the History of the Queensland Deaf Society, From Mission to Profession 1903-2002 by Sue Wilson. Published by the Queensland Deaf Society 2003.

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