Established in 1962, Manawatu Deaf Society was originally named the Manawatu Deaf Sports Club. In 1965, it was changed to the Manawatu Deaf Club, and eventually, Manawatu Deaf Society. As Joan said in the 1963 New Zealand Deaf News, “A large number of cities have Deaf Clubs, so it is within reason that smaller towns have got the bug, and decided they also need a club for the deaf”. In 1985, the hall that the club was renting was no longer available, leaving its 65 members ‘homeless’. The search for a new Clubroom begun. Two halls were donated to Manawatu Deaf Society by the NZ Army, and relocated to Totara Road on City Council property. MDS paid for transporting costs. Manawatu Deaf Society has donated a collection of films to the archive, recorded and edited by Joan Bailey, its founder. All objects were photographed in 2024.
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