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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Est. 2011
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Poker Championship

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

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union: Player of the Year

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
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.
Est. 1957
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Agg Points

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Central Region Deaf Interclub Trophy

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1999
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Rodney’s Deaf Saturday

Rodney Roberts takes us through the typical Saturday of a Deaf Wellingtonian, with the Manawatu Deaf boys playing a game of rugby (and being well beaten 47 to 7), before taking us on a tour through a Wellington Deaf Society event to farewell an international interpreter.
Rodney Roberts
2002
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Jacket: Central Districts Deaf Basketball, 2002

Wellington Deaf Society
2001
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

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

Pam Witko
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
Est. 1993
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington vs Auckland Deaf Golf: Best Gross 36+

Auckland Deaf Society
1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Polishing cloth: Wellington Deaf Indoor Bowls, 1957-1989

Wellington Deaf Society
1992
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, 1992

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

Berretti Challenge Cup: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

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

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2014

Wellington Deaf Society
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
ca. 1950-60s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Rosette: Wellington, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention

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

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

Wellington Deaf Society
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.
Wellington Deaf Society
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
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Nelson Fairbrother Memorial: Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls, Singles

Wellington Deaf Society
1984
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Rosette: DEAF SOCIETY WELLINGTON, 1984

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

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

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

Best Batting of the Year: Central District Deaf Cricket Club

Wellington Deaf Society
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