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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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
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1982
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: October 1982 (Vol. 19, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Hunt
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
1998
video – Taonga source: Inside Out

Deaf Blacks players to tour Wales selected at the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship

The deciding match of the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship played in Wellington over Easter weekend, and cementing a place in the New Zealand Deaf team that toured Wales in November 1998.
Inside Out
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Windy Hands: June 2016

Wellington Deaf Society
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
2001
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington/Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, 2001

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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
Est. 2011
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Poker Championship

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Keethan Sundar
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union: Player of the Year

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1982
article – Taonga source: Karori News

Deaf are helped

The new Wellington field office is playing its part in other developments of interest to deaf people, such as the spread of total communication and the growing importance of the Wellington Deaf Society.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
1991
article – Taonga source: Contact

Music will help those who cannot hear it

The Wellington Deaf Society urgently needs new premises, and 51 American Barber Shop singers will help to raise the $200,000 needed to buy them. The society has $80,000 saved from 53 years of street appeals. Noel Ramsey, a volunteer worker, is disppointed ticket sales for the concert has been slow.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves

We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society (Inc) Ten Pin Bowling: Men Single Championship

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
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Cricket Team, 1999

Clive Morgan
1973
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Telephones For The Deaf Are Opening Up A New World Of Communication

A revolutionary device which opens up a whole new world for those born deaf is now being demonstrated in Wellington. New Zealand is the only second country in the world to adopt the system so far.
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Best Batting of the Year: Central District Deaf Cricket Club

Wellington Deaf Society
2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!

Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.
Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1974
article – Taonga source: Eastern Suburbs News

Successful integration of the deaf depends on community attitudes

If a New Zealand-born person doesn’t speak good English, people are likely to assume such a person is unintelligent. Such an assumption is wrong when the person is born deaf.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Polishing cloth: Wellington Deaf Indoor Bowls, 1957-1989

Wellington Deaf Society
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Indoor Netball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
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
1951
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Pennant: Wellington Deaf Society Basketball, 1951

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1954
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf Table Tennis Team, Winners New Zealand Deaf Societies Table Tennis Shield, 1954

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1988
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
1981
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: International Year of Disabled Persons, Wellington Deaf Society, 1981

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
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Nelson Fairbrother Memorial: Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls, Singles

Wellington Deaf Society