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. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Nelson Fairbrother Memorial: Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls, Singles

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

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society
1951
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Pennant: Wellington Deaf Society Basketball, 1951

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
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
1961
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team for deaf games backed

The Auckland Deaf Society has reversed a previous decision and decided to support the team being sent to the Olympic Games for deaf people in Helsinki in August by the Wellington Deaf Sports Club.
Auckland 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
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
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

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

Pam Witko
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
2013
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2013

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

Manawatu v Wellington Deaf Society: Ten Pin Bowling Friendly Games

Manawatu Deaf Society
1948
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf, Winners Fairbrother Shield, 1948

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

Manson Trophy, Men’s Pool Championship, 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
2011
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Signed Rugby Ball: Central Zone Deaf Rugby, 2011

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2014

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

Best Batting of the Year: Central District Deaf Cricket Club

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

Central District Deaf Cricket Club: Player 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
1995
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Howell (Forman)

Memories of Doreen Howell, a life member of Wellington Deaf Society, was recorded on 9 July 1995 at Pam and Kaz Witko's place.
Pam Witko
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton, Men’s Singles

Wellington Deaf Society
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
Est. 1987
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

M.Welham Cup: Ten Pin Bowls for the Deaf, Ladies Highest Score

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

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

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
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
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Windy Hands: June 2016

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

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

Wellington Deaf Society
1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
  • Terry Kane
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Colleen Norris
1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep