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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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
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Rugby League: Player of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
2002
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Jacket: Central Districts Deaf Basketball, 2002

Wellington Deaf Society
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
Est. 1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu v Wellington Deaf Society: Ten Pin Bowling Friendly Games

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

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

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

Membership Card: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society
ca. 1950-60s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Rosette: Wellington, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
2015
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: June 2015

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
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
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Windy Hands: June 2016

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
1973
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Telephones For The Deaf Are Opening Up A New World Of Communication

A revolutionary device which opens up a whole new world for those born deaf is now being demonstrated in Wellington. New Zealand is the only second country in the world to adopt the system so far.
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2014

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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1968
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Indoor Bowls badge, 1968

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

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

Wellington Deaf Society
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

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

Pam Witko
Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Swindale Rose Bowl: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

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

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

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1971
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Badminton, Men’s Singles

Wellington Deaf Society
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society’s Most Popular Member of the Year

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

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
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: Player Of The Year

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

Rosette: DEAF SOCIETY WELLINGTON, 1984

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1998
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1993
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington vs Auckland Deaf Golf: Best Gross 36+

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
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
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Ruth Jessep