F.J Rose Day 2026
Celebrating Deaf culture, then and now
Join Deaf Children Australia at the historic Bluestone Building for F.J. Rose Day 2026, a day celebrating Deaf history, culture and community.
Sunday 6 December 2026
10:00am–4:00pm
Deaf Children Australia
597 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
Free entry for Expression Deaf Festival Ticket Holders.
Throughout the day, visitors can explore historical displays, discover the story of the Bluestone Building, join a guided history tour and enjoy family-friendly activities. An adults-only Prosecco Van will also be located in the courtyard.
F.J. Rose Day will be held alongside the Expression Australia Festival, bringing the community together for a day that recognises Deaf culture, connection and history.
Frederick John Rose (1831–1920) played an important role in the history of Deaf education in Victoria and the beginnings of what is now Deaf Children Australia.
Born in England in 1831, Rose was profoundly deaf and travelled to Victoria with his brother during the gold rush of the 1850s. After initially working as a builder and carpenter, his direction changed when he read a letter published in The Argus in 1859 from the widowed mother of a deaf child who was seeking educational opportunities for her child. At the time, there were no options for children requiring specalist education.
In 1860, Rose began teaching deaf students in a small house in Windsor. As the number of students grew, the school moved several times before sufficient funds were raised for a permanent purpose-built facility. The Bluestone Building on St Kilda Road was completed in 1867 and remains standing today as the home of Deaf Children Australia.
Rose served as Headmaster-Superintendent of the Victorian School for Deaf Children, formerly known as the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution, from 1860 to 1891.
F.J. Rose Day provides an opportunity to recognise this history while celebrating the Deaf community and the generations who have been connected to the Bluestone Building.
Historical display
Step into the history of the Bluestone Building and discover stories from across the decades.
A special historical display will feature timelines, photographs and artefacts connected to the building and the people who have been part of its history. Items planned for the display include historic hearing aids, school uniforms, scout uniforms and objects associated with former boarding and sick bay areas.
It is an opportunity to see how life, education and the Deaf community surrounding the Bluestone Building have changed over time.
Family-friendly activities
F.J. Rose Day is a day for the whole community.
Families can enjoy a range of children’s activities throughout the day, with activities planned for the Deaf Children Australia car park and supported by Party Higher staff.
Come along with family and friends, explore the Bluestone Building and spend the day connecting with the community.
Prosecco in the courtyard
For visitors aged 18 and over, a Prosecco Van will be located in the Bluestone courtyard.
Guests will be able to purchase their own beverages and relax in the designated adults-only courtyard area during the event.
Bluestone History Tours
Discover the stories behind one of Melbourne’s most significant historic buildings with a guided Bluestone History Tour.
Tours will run throughout F.J. Rose Day and will take visitors through the history of the site and its longstanding connection with Victoria’s Deaf community.
Tours are free, with registrations available on the day. Each tour has a maximum capacity of 20 people, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
We recommend registering when you arrive if you would like to join a tour.
Tour Timetable:
11:00am – 11:45am
11:20am – 12:05pm
11:40am – 12:25pm
12:00pm – 12:45pm
12:20pm – 12:45pm
12:40pm – 1:25pm
1:00pm – 1:45pm
1:20pm – 2:05pm
1:40pm – 2:25pm
2:00pm – 2:45pm
2:20pm – 3:05pm
2:40pm – 3:25pm
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Celebrate our history. Connect with our community.
From Frederick J. Rose’s early work with deaf students in Melbourne to the generations of children, young people, families and community members who have since passed through the Bluestone Building, this site holds an important place in Deaf history.
F.J. Rose Day 2026 is an opportunity to remember that history, explore the Bluestone Building and celebrate Deaf culture today.
We look forward to welcoming you to Deaf Children Australia on Sunday 6 December.
