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
Est. 2007
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Swindale Rose Bowl: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

Wellington Deaf Society
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
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
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.
1981
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

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
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
  • Susie Ovens
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
1992
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, 1992

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
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
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Best Batting of the Year: Central District Deaf Cricket Club

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
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

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

Pam Witko
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society (Inc) Ten Pin Bowling: Men Single Championship

Wellington Deaf Society
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.
1974
article – Taonga source: Eastern Suburbs News

Successful integration of the deaf depends on community attitudes

If a New Zealand-born person doesn’t speak good English, people are likely to assume such a person is unintelligent. Such an assumption is wrong when the person is born deaf.
1998
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winner 1998

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Central Region Deaf Interclub Trophy

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

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2014

Wellington Deaf Society
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves

We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
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
1954
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf Table Tennis Team, Winners New Zealand Deaf Societies Table Tennis Shield, 1954

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
1988
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
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
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
2015
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: May 2015

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Keethan Sundar
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
2002
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie