Our History

With nearly 50 years of experience, SPELD Victoria’s history is indeed rich…..

In March 1968, The National Symposium on Dyslexia was hosted in Melbourne by the Australian College of Speech Therapists. At this time, professionals from across Australia gathered to discuss the hidden problem of Specific Learning Difficulties affecting so many in the community. From this meeting, a Victorian Committee for Dyslexia Children was created under the leadership Dr Dudley Hagger. This resulted in the establishment of SPELD Victoria Incorporated as an independent Public Benevolent Institution in August 1969.

In 1970, SPELD Victoria officially joined with other state SPELD entities in becoming part of a national body known as “The Federal Council of SPELD Associations”.  This federated body is now known as Auspeld.  

Our history is filled with the contributions of many passionate individuals who have worked tirelessly to make SPELD Victoria what it is today.  We thank them all, including all past Committee members, staff and volunteers.

As we launch our new website, we acknowledge the contribution of Faye and Jimi Fairley who contributed significantly to the prior website.

SPELD Victoria has had several homes during its life: Collins Street Melbourne; Camberwell; North Fitzroy; Preston; and now back to the Melbourne CBD to the heritage Donkey Wheel House (formerly the Old Tramways building). 

SPELD Victoria will continue to work to fulfil the Mission set down all those years ago and to assist those with Specific Learning Difficulties within our community through a collaborative approach and strong support for evidenced based practice.   

SPELD Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their elders, past and present.