HomeDeaf ClubsWellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society is the heart of the Wellington Deaf Community. Established on 30 July 1938, has moved a couple of times since its formation, from gatherings at people’s places, leased halls and buildings, meet-ups at different pubs, to a co-owned building at 17 Bannister Ave, Johnsonville, Wellington – where it is now. The original name of the club was Wellington Adult Deaf Society before being changed to Wellington Society for the Deaf. It is now called Wellington Deaf Society. Enjoy exploring WDS’s documents, newsletters, objects and photos.

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1982
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Building drive by deaf club

A Wellington club for the deaf has started a drive to raise funds to build clubrooms. Club members, many of whom are tradesmen, want to build the clubrooms themselves.
Wellington Deaf Society
1950
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Inaugural Indoor Basketball Match Between N.Z. Deaf Teams – Auckland v Wellington, 1950

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap

On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: December 1981 (Vol. 19, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society’s Most Popular Member of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton: Women

Wellington Deaf Society
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Collection of Max Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins

Pam Witko
1998
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winner 1998

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Best Batting of the Year: Central District Deaf Cricket Club

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1993
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington vs Auckland Deaf Golf: Best Gross 36+

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
2002
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

43rd New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, 24-28 October 2002

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 2007
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Pool & Darts: Manawatu Deaf Social Club vs Wellington Deaf Social Club

Manawatu Deaf Society
Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Berretti Challenge Cup: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Golf Club vs Auckland Deaf Golf Club: Interclub

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: May 2014

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Central District Deaf Cricket Club: Most Improved Player of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1991
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Golf Club: Best Stableford

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Swindale Rose Bowl: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

Wellington Deaf Society
1961
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team for deaf games backed

The Auckland Deaf Society has reversed a previous decision and decided to support the team being sent to the Olympic Games for deaf people in Helsinki in August by the Wellington Deaf Sports Club.
Auckland Deaf Society
1992
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, 1992

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Cricket Team, 1999

Clive Morgan
1948
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf, Winners Fairbrother Shield, 1948

Wellington Deaf Society
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Men Basketball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1988
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Key Ring: Wellington Deaf Society 50 Years, 1938-1988

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton, Men’s Singles

Wellington Deaf Society
1999
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Wellington Deaf Basketball Club 50th Anniversary

Wellington Deaf Basketball Club celebrated their 50 years anniversary by competing at the national Deaf Basketball Tournament held over Queen’s Birthday weekend 1999. A range of teams took part - men’s and women’s representing the regions. The games are followed by some celebrations at Wellington Deaf Society.
Rodney Roberts
2011
video – Taonga source: Jared Flitcroft

Our Second Home: Wellington Deaf Club

The Wellington Deaf Club is a place where Deaf and hearing alike go to relax, take a break from the ‘outside’ world and communicate in a language that is loud. Jared Flitcroft explores why the Deaf Club is their second home and the cultural aspect of being Deaf in a ‘hearing’ world.
Jared Flitcroft