When it comes to fun, the handicaps of deaf and dumb children mean nothing. Members of the western zone of the Auckland Junior Chamber of Commerce will tell you that after taking a party of 44 youngsters from the Kelston School for the Deaf on a recent two-day visit to the Ruapehu snowfields.
The children, all deaf and dumb from birth had the time of their lives.
And to cap their excitement they became film stars for the two days before the cameras of the New Zealand National Film Unit which made a short film of the trip for screening in cinemas in this country and on Australian TV.
Auckland businessmen made sure the trip was a success. They donated everything needed by the party, from petrol and food to lollies and ice-cream. Two companies, Shears Coach Lines and Bonnici Motors, each provided a coach to transport the children to the snowfield.
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The party, accompanied by four members of the Junior Chamber, stayed in mountain huts provided by the management of the Chateau Hotel.
There was little indoor entertainment – it wasn’t needed. The children were too busy learning to ski, making snowmen, and having battles with snow balls. One Jaycee in the party, however, amused the children by dressing up as a clown and giving an impromptu concert.
Weather was kind to the party. No rain fell but a three-inch fall of snow made ski-ing conditions good for the young enthusiasts.
The Jaycees hope that this will be the first of many trips for deaf children. It is hoped that it will became an annual event.
Captions under photos (in reading order from top to bottom, left to right):
Deaf children get the feel of their skis outside the Auckland Tramping Club hut on Mt Ruapehu on their recent two-day trip to the mountains. Skis were supplied for each of the 44 children, some of whom had never been on snow before.
Fun in the snow and sunshine. Using a sack as a toboggan is Lewis Jacobs while Kay Hunia sets herself for a run down the slope on skis.
Though they can’t talk to each other like other children, Alan Chitty (left) and Pao Paul know what to do when it comes to organizing a slide on a snow sled.
Homeward-bound after a wonderful weekend. Mr Gordon Greenough, one of the leaders of a wonderful venture, with two happy lads in their bus.
With a wave and a smile, young Marina Urlich soars happily up Ruapehu’s slopes on the chair lift.
Neil Taylor calls on his parents who live in Te Kuiti on his way to Mt Ruapehu. They wish him a happy time. Neil lives in Auckland so he can attend the Kelston School for the Deaf.
Don’t look now but someone’s in for an earful of snow, aimed by smiling Kay Hunia.
Arriving at the Chateau, the party of deaf children were in front of one of the coaches which took them on the trip.
Eileen Perry pets finished touches to a fluffy snowman which she and other members of the party fashioned.
Waited on by Jaycees, the children tuck into a hot meal in the Auckland Tramping Club’s hut.
