The Deaf Society of Canterbury is New Zealand’s oldest Deaf Club, established on 26 April 1922. Originally Christchurch Deaf Club, later changed to Christchurch Deaf Society, and to Deaf Society of Canterbury as it is known today, it has provided the inspiration for the establishment of other Deaf Clubs around the New Zealand.

This collection has been set up to commemorate the Club's 100th Anniversary in 2022, with footage of fancy dress parties, picnics, prizegivings, sport trips to the West Coast, jubilees, fundraisers and more. Happy Centenary Deaf Society of Canterbury; to your next 100 years!

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1979
video – Taonga source: 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.
Dennis Tod
1988
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Black and White Fancy Dress Fundraiser for 1989 WGD Christchurch

The Black and White themed Fancy Dress party at Christchurch Deaf Society on 28th May 1988 was a fundraiser for the World Games for the Deaf. Creative members dressed-up as prisoners, punk rockers, Spanish costume dress with bolero, nuns, waitresses, and rugby league players!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1990
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Wrap-up Christmas party at Deaf Society of Canterbury

Deaf Society of Canterbury on Armagh Street celebrates the end of 1990 with a wrap-up Christmas party, and a few speeches!
Rodney Roberts
1991
video – Taonga source: 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.
Rodney Roberts
1978
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Canterbury Deaf Club teams travel to Greymouth

The Canterbury Deaf Club Basketball & Netball teams travels to Greymouth, with the ‘Deaf Boys’ playing against the ‘Hot Shots’ and winning 67-54.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Lawn Bowls prizegiving at Christchurch Deaf Society

The Christchurch Deaf Lawn Bowls Club organises its annual prizegiving, with lunch and drinks at Christchurch Deaf Society, on 6th October 1993.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Past and current Christchurch Deaf Club basketball players face-off for a game

Established in 1951, the Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club celebrated their 25th Jubilee on Saturday 31 July 1976. The day kickstarts with a game between past players – in blue tops – versus current players – in yellow tops. There was also a social dance held that evening.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Dunedin vs Christchurch: Indoor Bowls at Christchurch Deaf Club

Dunedin and Christchurch battle it out at the Christchurch Deaf Club’s Armagh Street hall during winter where the mountain ranges around Christchurch are covered with snow!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

Old-Time Fancy Dress party, Christchurch 1979

A fancy dress party is held at the Canterbury Deaf Society’s clubrooms.
Dennis Tod
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

A look around the Armagh Street clubroom whilst the ceiling is being painted

A tour around the 323a Armagh Street clubroom filled with memories, trophies, photos, and a framed letter from Helen Keller. Jo Smith is working in the office that day, with Tom Still painting the inside ceiling.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1991
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club: Shipwreck Fancy Dress Party, 20 April 1991

A shipwreck themed fancy dress party – a basketball fundraiser – was organised by the Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club. There are pirates aplenty and dress parades with the best dressed going to Graham Hammond and Joyce Ferguson.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

A Friday evening at Christchurch Deaf Society

Members hustle and bustle around the Deaf Club’s kitchen on a Friday evening, taking care of orders, cooking, and payments - back in the days when meals were $5.00 and cans were only $1!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Winter 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 4)
1980
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Two founding members of Christchurch Deaf Club take a trip down memory lane

Cyril Pruden and Douglas Ashley, two founding members of the Christchurch Deaf Club, discuss the club’s history at its Armagh Street location. 
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1977
video – Taonga source: 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.
Dennis Tod
1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball Club visits Hokitika, June 1976

The Christchurch Deaf Club basketball team plays a match in Hokitika in June 1976 versus a hearing team. Geoff Harker’s arm injury is a hot topic of discussion that weekend!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Women’s Club gathering at Armagh Street

A day inside for the Christchurch Deaf Women's Club at Armagh Street, with cakes, jewellery and clothes for sale!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1975
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Basketball: A trip to Westport

The Christchurch Deaf Club basketball team travels to Westport during Queen’s Birthday weekend 1975 to participate in the Matai Invitation Tournament. Games are played at the Westport Community Hall. Footage covers players travelling to the West Coast via cars, with a few stops on the way, and a compulsory stop at the pub!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1977
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

‘Deaf boys’ picnic at Spencer Park

Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball ‘Deaf Boys’ Picnic at Spencer Park, Sunday 13th March 1977.
Sue Penman
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 2)
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Winter 1964 (Vol. 1, No. 4)
1977
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

Christchurch Women Group: Progressive Dinner

The Christchurch Deaf Women’s Group hosts a progressive dinner. Three courses at three different locations all in one night in 1977!
Sue Penman
1991
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

‘An Oriental Evening’: Golf Club fundraiser

The Christchurch Golf Club hosts a fundraiser at the Armagh Street Clubrooms, organising a social evening - with participants encouraged to come in Chinese Fancy Dress. Origami folding and calligraphy were some of the games on the night. Watch to see who won the compulsory fancy-dress parade!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball 25th Jubilee: Social dance at Armagh Street Clubroom

The Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club, established in 1951, celebrates their 25th Jubilee on Saturday 31 July, 1976 – with a game between old previous members versus young current members, before a social dance evening at the Armagh Street clubroom.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1994
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Japanese Deaf group visits Christchurch Deaf Club

It's a Friday evening and the Christchurch Deaf Club is where its happening! A tour group of 24 Deaf Japanese visitors make CDC a must-visit on their New Zealand itinerary.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1985
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Amberley: Summer 1985

Christchurch Deaf Club hosted its annual picnic at Amberley, north of Christchurch. As usual, there are games aplenty, with the Amberley swimming pool a perfect location to cool off.
Deaf Society of Canterbury