Collection: Deaf Society of Canterbury

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!

DEAF CLUBS
  • Collection: Deaf Society of Canterbury
  • All items: 24
  • Videos: 24
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  1. 1978
    Video — Donated by Dennis Tod Image of Dennis Tod

    Christchurch Basketball and Netball teams leave for Greymouth

    The Christchurch Deaf Mens Basketball team travel to Greymouth, accompanied by the Deaf netball team.
  2. 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.
  3. 1977
    Video — Donated by Sue Penman Image of 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!
  4. 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.
  5. 1991
    Video — Donated by Rodney Roberts Image of Rodney Roberts

    Canterbury beats Wellington in a game of rugby league

    A game of rugby league between the Canterbury and Wellington boys in 1991. The game was played at Hampshire Park, Christchurch on 11 May 1991. Canterbury beat Central, 42-26, followed by a post-match social and further celebrations at Christchurch Deaf Society.
  6. 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.
  7. 1979
    Video — Donated by Dennis Tod Image of Dennis Tod

    Old-Time Fancy Dress party, Christchurch 1979

    A fancy dress party is held at the Canterbury Deaf Society’s clubrooms.
  8. 1990
    Video — Donated by Rodney Roberts Image of 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!
  9. 1980
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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. 
  10. 1991
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  11. 1991
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.
  12. 1975
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  13. 1976
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.
  14. 1976
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  15. 1976
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of Deaf Society of Canterbury

    Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball: Farewell & Awards party

    A farewell party and awards evening is hosted by the Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball Club, with awards and prizes given out by Peter Downie.
  16. 1985
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.
  17. 1993
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  18. 1988
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  19. 1978
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.
  20. 1993
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  21. 1976
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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!
  22. 1994
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.
  23. 1993
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.

  24. 1976
    Video — Donated by Deaf Society of Canterbury Image of 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.
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