Collection: Deaf Picnics

Everyone loves a good picnic, especially if you’re Deaf and the picnic is organised by your local Deaf Club! Over the years Deaf Club picnics have become a traditional event reaching back to the 1950s. They are a chance for the community to get together in the fresh outdoors, get too much sun, and see if the married or single teams win the tug-o-war! And yes, if you win the sprint you still get a little brown envelope and a line in Deaf history forever.

  • Collection: Deaf Picnics
  • All items: 15
  • Videos: 15
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  1. 1951
    Video — Donated by Owen Gibbons Image of Owen Gibbons

    Picnic at Duders Beach

    Auckland Deaf community hold their annual picnic at Duders Beach, 1951.

  2. 1955
    Video — Donated by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Image of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

    Picnic at Waihora Park Domain

    Participants in the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Deaf Societies have a full-day picnic at Waihora Park Domain, in Motukarara with plenty of races!

  3. 1969
    Video — Donated by Janice and Gary Howard Image of Janice and Gary Howard

    Annual Auckland Picnic at Orewa, 1969

    Members of the Auckland Deaf Society and friends attend the annual picnic at Orewa Beach in March 1969.

  4. 1990
    Video — Donated by Richard Hay Image of Richard Hay

    Annual Picnic at Long Bay 1990

    Auckland Deaf Society’s annual picnic at Long Bay where members compete in the 100m sprint (and fake starts!) and the boys show off their bodybuilding moves.

  5. 1952
    Video — Donated by Auckland Deaf Society Image of Auckland Deaf Society

    Annual Picnic at Orewa Beach 1952

    Auckland Deaf Adult Society’s annual picnic takes place north of Orewa beach.

  6. 1960s
    Video — Donated by Auckland Deaf Society Image of Auckland Deaf Society

    Auckland Deaf Picnic at Orewa Beach

    Deaf people get together at John and Verna McRae’s place before heading to Orewa, Auckland for the Annual ADS Picnic.

  7. 1977
    Video — Donated by Dennis Tod Image of Dennis Tod

    Canterbury Annual Deaf Picnic 1977

    Members of the Canterbury Deaf community make for a picnic on a lovely day, with tug-o-war and running races.

  8. 1979
    Video — Donated by Dennis Tod Image of Dennis Tod

    Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Diamond Harbour 1979

    The Christchurch Deaf Club members have a picnic at Diamond Harbour, with traditional sports and activities.

  9. 1991
    Video — Donated by Rodney Roberts Image of Rodney Roberts

    Good old fashioned fun at the Christchurch Deaf Society’s picnic

    Footage of the 1991 Christchurch Deaf Society's picnic day held at Spencer Park. On a progressively windy day the local Deaf community gathered to enjoy traditional Deaf community games including tug-of-war, egg throwing, welly throwing, and some less common games such as a dress-up relay.

  10. 1955
    Video — Donated by Auckland Deaf Society Image of Auckland Deaf Society

    Sports Convention picnic at Motukarara, 1955

    During the 1955 Sports Convention hosted in Christchurch, a picnic is held at Motukarara, by Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury.

  11. 1977
    Video — Donated by Sue Penman Image of Sue Penman

    ‘Deaf boys’ picnic at Spencer Park

    Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball ‘Deaf Boys’ Picnic at Spencer Park, Sunday 13th March 1977.

  12. 1952
    Video — Donated by Auckland Deaf Society Image of Auckland Deaf Society

    Deaf Day Trip to Orewa!

    During one of the first New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, a group of Deaf take a day trip to Orewa.

  13. 1956
    Video — Donated by Auckland Deaf Society Image of Auckland Deaf Society

    Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain

    During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.

  14. 1976
    Video — Donated by Manawatu Deaf Society Image of Manawatu Deaf Society

    Understand the Silence: A Silent Documentary about the Silent World of Deafness

    This documentary was filmed and edited by Joan Bailey and released in 1976. It covers the preparation and running of the St Dominics Gala Day, as well as Manawatu Deaf Club picnics, and the Manawatu Womens Group.

  15. 1958
    Video — Donated by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Image of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

    Deaf Societies Sports Convention, Wellington 1958

    Deaf Aucklanders make their way down to Wellington in a van for the Labour Weekend sports. Stopping on the way, they prepare for a day of sports and socialising.

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