Ben Taylor

Ben Taylor (1927 - 2012) was a longstanding leader in the Deaf Community. His achievements included serving as a member of the Deaf Society Board for many years, as President of the Stanmore Deaf Bowling Club, and as Secretary of the Australian Deaf Bowling Association. He founded and participated in many different organisations, committees, and Deaf Sports.

Benjamin Stuart ‘Ben’ Taylor was born deaf in Cremorne, Sydney in 1927. He attended the NSW Institute at Darlington from 1932 to 1945.  Upon leaving school, he headed straight for 5 Elizabeth Street (then the Deaf Society premises) and joined the Deaf Younger Set committee. 

The Deaf Younger Set was the first of many committees he participated in throughout his life.  Ben was remembered for running the Mock Concerts and Tabloid Sports (all handmade, including the famous traffic lights).   With all of his involvement in the activities of the Deaf Society and the Deaf Community, it was natural for him to join the Deaf Society Board where he served from 1980 to 1989. He was made a Life Member of the Deaf Society in 1989.

He also spent many years devoted to Deaf Sports, especially Deaf Lawn Bowls.  As a long time member of the NSW Deaf Lawn Bowls Club, he served as the Secretary and President. He was also Secretary of the Australian Deaf Lawn Bowls Association from 1973 to the mid-2000s.

Ben Taylor played a key role in founding the International Deaf Lawn Bowls Association in 1993 as well as the NSW Deaf Sports Association in 1978.  He served many years as a delegate and director of the Australian Deaf Sports Association (now Deaf Sports Australia) and, as team manager, he led Australian teams at several international Deaf sporting events. He became a Life Member of five different sporting organisations (including Deaf Sports Australia). 

When Ben retired from his workplace of 46 years in 1991, he helped establish the Deaf Senior Citizens group which he was involved with for as long as his health allowed.  He was a dedicated committee member in both community and sporting organisations, and rarely missed a meeting.

In recognition of his commitment for over 60 years to the Deaf Community and sports, Ben was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001.

Ben Taylor married Beryl Goswell and had two deaf daughters, Diana and Jane.  He died in 2012 at the age of 84 years.

Sources

Personal information from Diana Ashley

The Deaf Herald Issue 07 Autumn 2012

The Silent Messenger Jan/Feb 1988

Image

Image from The Deaf Society photo collection