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.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 3)
1998
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winner 1998
2002
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winners 2002
1982
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1982 (Vol. 19, No. 3)
1981
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Tee shirt: International Year of Disabled Persons, Wellington Deaf Society, 1981
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.
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. 1988
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
W.D.S. Ten Pin Bowls for the Deaf: Lowest Points
Early 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Clubroom Mural: Painted by Shaun Fahey
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Cricket Team, 1999
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, 2nd NZ Deaf Basketball Championship, Wellington 1999
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2014
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.
Est. 2007
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Pool & Darts: Manawatu Deaf Social Club vs Wellington Deaf Social Club
1982
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Sports convention for the deaf
Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing. That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year.
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society’s Most Popular Member of the Year
1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1965
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Central Indoor Netball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Collection of Max Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Badminton: Women
1990
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Coming Together: A video history of Wellington Deaf Society
A documentary about Wellington Deaf Society created after the 50th anniversary of WDS back in 1988. It includes historic shots of the old WDS at 280 Willis Street, Te Aro, as well as interviews with some of its members.
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Central District Deaf Cricket Club: Most Improved Player of the Year
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.
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu v Wellington Deaf Society: Ten Pin Bowling Friendly Games
1985
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Pennant: Central Districts Deaf Sports, Wellington 1985
1974
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf people can now use the telephone
So far, four teleprinter phonetype telephones have been installed in the homes of totally deaf people in the Wellington area. They can be hired from the Wellington branch of the New Zealand deaf communications network.
1989
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Society Men’s Basketball Team, New Zealand Deaf Games 1989
2013
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2013
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: May 2014