HomePublicationsAuckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1962

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1962

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s August 1962 ’25th Jubilee’ newsletter:

  • Tickets for the ADS 25th Ball and Jubilee Dinner are on sale! Dinner will be on 24 August 1962 and the ball will be on the next day – the 25th. A wee history of ADS is also featured in the newsletter. Although the Club has been established at Balmoral, there are still plans to complete the hall when the floor is built above the foyer, to be a self contained Clubroom for the use of Deaf members only. 
  • The Deaf Demons basketball team was ‘born’ when they were located at Grey Street. They attained ‘A’ grade status in the YMCA Competitions and two of the members were selected for the Auckland representative team. 
  • A trophy cabinet has been set up at the Welfare Centre, with lots of bowls trophies, thanks to the dominant Deaf Bowling Team led by Sen and Kath Smith.
  • Deaf Clubs
  • TV/Media

Can you help?

NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

A Night to Remember at Balmoral Hall

Kevin recalls how the Auckland Deaf Society’s Balmoral Hall was one of the largest venues in Auckland at the time. In 1970, it hosted the Halberg Awards. From the upstairs clubroom, Kevin remembers looking down at the formal dinner set-up with flash tables and decorations. That same evening, a protest took place outside in response to the invitation of a presenter from South Africa. Graffiti was sprayed on the Deaf Club’s exterior, and police were present at the scene.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

The Rebuild of Auckland Deaf Society’s Balmoral Clubroom

Kevin talks about the rebuild of the Auckland Deaf Society building. The receptionist often received calls from people wanting to buy the property, but they were always given a firm no. A member survey was held, and the decision was made to go ahead with the rebuild. Angela Sew Hoy and Chris Blum oversaw the project. While the work was underway, Friday night gatherings were temporarily moved to the local Balmoral Bowling Club.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Doug on Auckland’s Elephant Mascot

Doug shares his view that the elephant became Auckland’s mascot in the late 1970s thanks to ASB Bank’s sponsorship, linking it to their well-known elephant money box. While others may remember it differently, this is how Doug recalls it. He also remembers the Auckland team finally beat Christchurch in 1977, winning 66 to 59 and taking home the Cunniffe Memorial Trophy. After the final whistle, both teams set the rivalry aside and shared drinks to celebrate a great match.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Schischka

From Indoor Bowls to Indoor Netball: The Evolution of the Balmoral Hall

John Schischka reflects on the old Auckland Deaf Society hall on Balmoral Road. Originally used for indoor bowls and hired out to hearing groups, the Balmoral Road hall was often thick with cigarette smoke – a common sight back in the day. Later, the badminton and basketball clubs made use of the space, but as time went on, it became a bit of a ‘white elephant.’ The Board eventually leased it as an indoor sports centre, where indoor netball became popular. Deaf members would play on Friday nights, then head upstairs for Club night.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Vice-Captain on Court: John’s ADS Basketball Days

John recalls playing for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team, where he served as vice-captain. Their light blue singlets with white ADS letters and player numbers were handmade by Valerie Eaton, wife of Jim Eaton (team coach). The team played in the Mt Albert A league and pulled off a surprise win. They trained regularly on Thursday nights at the Club's Balmoral hall.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Big Ears: The Story Behind the Auckland Elephant Mascot

John was the masseur for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team at the 1977 Labour Weekend tournament in Wellington. That year, Auckland won the Cunniffe Cup in a close match against Christchurch, 66 to 59. The team’s mascot was an elephant, a symbol of Deaf pride with its big ears and a long nose for shooting hoops. John remembers a tough game with constant injuries that kept him busy on the sidelines. He says Deep Heat saved the day!
Amelia Eves
Amelia Eves
Andrew Steel
Andrew Steel
Bill (William) Graham
Bill (William) Graham
Don Ross
Don Ross
Duncan Rae
Duncan Rae
Eunice Costley
Eunice Costley
Harry Lawrence
Harry Lawrence
John Marigold
John Marigold
Kath Smith
Kath Smith
Len Williams
Len Williams
Margaret Haines
Margaret Haines
Murray Williams
Murray Williams
Sen (Stewart) Smith
Sen (Stewart) Smith
Sylvia Street
Sylvia Street

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1962-08-MJN
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.

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