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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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
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
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

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

Pam Witko
1989
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Society Men’s Basketball Team, New Zealand Deaf Games 1989

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
ca. 1950-60s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Rosette: Wellington, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
2011
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Signed Rugby Ball: Central Zone Deaf Rugby, 2011

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

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

Wellington Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowls for the Deaf: Lowest Points

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

Open Golf – Wellington Deaf Golf Club vs Auckland Deaf Golf Club: Best Stableford

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Terry Kane
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
Est. 2007
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1950
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Singlet: Wellington Society for the Deaf (WSD) basketball, 1950

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
Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1988
article – Taonga source: Capital Times

Deaf society celebrates anniversary

Wellington Deaf Society secretary, Pat Dugdale, is expecting 200 people from around New Zealand to take part in its 50th anniversary celebrations.
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington vs Auckland Deaf Golf: Best Gross 36+

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

Jacket: Central Districts Deaf Basketball, 2002

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

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton, Men’s Singles

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Rugby League: Most Improved Player

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
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
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Nelson Fairbrother Memorial: Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls, Singles

Wellington Deaf Society
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, 2nd NZ Deaf Basketball Championship, Wellington 1999

Clive Morgan
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
2002
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union: Player of the Year

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union