The significance of this event is that both schools (Sydney and Melbourne) were opened by Deaf men, with the support from the general community.
This is the advertisement from Sydney Morning Herald on 20th October 1860:
It was a quiet but exciting time for Australia as there is a certain number of deaf individuals already existing in Australia by 1860, both children and adults. By the last count from Australian Deaf History research, there were about 30 recognised deaf individuals by 1855.
There is a hope that Sydney will get to celebrate its anniversary this coming October. Mr Thomas Pattison, a Deaf Scotman, opened the school in a small building located at #152 Liverpool Street, Sydney which attracted 6 pupils. There is no record that confirms that Mr. Pattison was actually a Secretary and Treasurer of the Edinburgh Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society - a mystery to solve. The school itself had moved four times before located at Darlington, a lovely old building opposite University of Sydney. The building was then sold and the school moved to the present location at North Rocks. However, the school itself has reduced to a quite small sized one and is now known as Thomas Pattison School which relies on the philosophy of Bilingualism (Auslan and English used for instruction).
Mr F J Rose opened his school in Melbourne the following month (? November) and the school still stands to this date. There is a big week of celebrations all organised in Melbourne for this special event.
More details coming up!
