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.

reset filter
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1964 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Berretti Challenge Cup: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

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

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

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

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
2001
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
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
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
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton: Women

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1983
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Manson Trophy, Men’s Pool Championship, Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society
1962
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Team Photo: Y.M.C.A. Indoor Basketball, Wellington Deaf Sports Club, 1962

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

Manawatu v Wellington Deaf Society: Ten Pin Bowling Friendly Games

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

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

Wellington Deaf Society
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Jean Monk

Memories of Jean Monk (nee Robertson) who was a Sumner School for the Deaf student in the 1920s. Students weren’t allowed to sign but could “move their arms around a bit”.
Dorothy Jones
1981
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
1968
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Indoor Bowls badge, 1968

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union: Player of the Year

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Windy Hands: June 2016

Wellington Deaf Society
1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

38th New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, Labour Weekend 1995

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
1985
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Pennant: Central Districts Deaf Sports, Wellington 1985

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Ruth Jessep
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
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • Michelle Kruger
2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Forman

Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.
Pam Witko
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Rugby League: Most Improved Player

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • 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
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Susie Ovens
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
1991
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, New Zealand Deaf Games 1991

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2002
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Jacket: Central Districts Deaf Basketball, 2002

Wellington Deaf Society
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society