HomeObjectsAuckland Deaf Society Annual Picnic: Oliver Trophy – Step Distance

Auckland Deaf Society Annual Picnic: Oliver Trophy – Step Distance

1964 – Mrs H. Williams; 1965 – Mrs S. Schischka; 1966 – Mr J. Patterson, Miss S. Street; 1967 – Mrs K. French; 1968 – Mrs P. Sedon; 1969 – Mr S. Puljan; Mr J. Bays; 1971 – Mr E. Sedon; 1972 – Mr T. Gibling; 1973 – Mrs K French; 1974 – Mrs B Gibbons; 1975 – Mrs R Gibling; 1976 – Mr J McRae; 1977 – Mr B Brewster: 1978 – Mr B Brewster; 1979 – Mr J McRae; 1980 – Mr H Hanely; 1981 – Mrs C Norris; 1982 – Mr J McRae; 1983 – Mrs P Sedon; 1984 – Mr W Willams; 1985 – Mr J Hunt; 1986 – Mrs E Siviter; 1987 – Mrs S Puljan; 1999 Mr B Nicholson; 2000 – Mrs L Pivac; 2002 – M D Croskery; 2003 – Ms D Walker; 2004 – Mrs P Croskery.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

The Oliver Trophy Challenge: One Step at a Time

The Oliver Trophy – Step Distance is a well-known award at the Auckland Deaf Society annual picnic. Open to men and women aged 40 and over, the goal is to match a set distance as closely as possible. Each year, the distance changes. In 2004, when Pam Croskery won, the target was 43 metres. Everyone had their own strategy to get as close as they could!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Richard Hay

From Behind the Camera to Bodybuilding Runner-Up: Richard’s First Deaf Society Picnic!

Richard reminisces about his first Auckland Deaf Society picnic at Long Bay in 1990. At just 18 years old, he was full of excitement – and luckily, he had borrowed his mum’s video camera to capture the day, including the infamous tug-of-war! Encouraging others to take turns filming, he documented the fun while stepping out of his comfort zone. Despite his shyness, he even took part in the bodybuilding show, and to his surprise, placed second!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

From Eggs to Gumboots: Classic ADS Picnic Games

Pam recalls her favourite games from the Auckland Deaf Society picnics. One standout was the pea-spitting contest, where someone’s false teeth famously flew out mid-spit! Other popular events included messy raw egg challenges, gumboot throwing, and even bodybuilding competitions. Club picnics were often held at Long Bay.
Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 106-O-ADS
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