The Australian Braille Authority extends our congratulations to Dorothy Hamilton, who was named in the 2019 Australia Day Honours. Dorothy was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to music.

Blind from birth, Dorothy developed an early love of music. She was the first blind woman in the southern hemisphere to obtain a music degree. She then went on to fulfil her childhood ambition of teaching music to sighted students as at Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, where she taught recorder, piano and choir.

In 1985, Dorothy was instrumental in establishing the internationally-renowned National Braille Camp. She has also taught blind students unable to attend the camp remotely, via phone.

Dorothy has represented Australia in international discussions of the braille music code.

Dorothy began her braille music transcription career as a proofreader for the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. In the 1990s she took on the role of braille music transcription at Vision Australia using a computer and refreshable braille display.

At 91 years of age, Dorothy continues her music transcription work at Vision Australia and is a mentor and role model for many.