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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1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

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

Nelson Fairbrother Memorial: Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls, Singles

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
Est. 2007
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
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
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Windy Hands: June 2016

Wellington Deaf Society
1950
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

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

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Manawatu v Wellington Deaf Society: Ten Pin Bowling Friendly Games

Manawatu Deaf Society
Early 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Clubroom Mural: Painted by Shaun Fahey

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
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton: Women

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

Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
2002
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Jacket: Central Districts Deaf Basketball, 2002

Wellington Deaf Society
2011
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Signed Rugby Ball: Central Zone Deaf Rugby, 2011

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
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.
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

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

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

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
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shona McGhie
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
  • Kevin Pivac
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Cricket Team, 1999

Clive Morgan
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Men Basketball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2014

Wellington Deaf Society
2002
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winners 2002

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1989
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2011
video – Taonga source: Jared Flitcroft

Our Second Home: Wellington Deaf Club

The Wellington Deaf Club is a place where Deaf and hearing alike go to relax, take a break from the ‘outside’ world and communicate in a language that is loud. Jared Flitcroft explores why the Deaf Club is their second home and the cultural aspect of being Deaf in a ‘hearing’ world.
Jared Flitcroft
2015
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: June 2015

Wellington Deaf Society