Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1990

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s April 1990 newsletter:

The opening of the McHattie House (26 Glendale Road, Glen Eden) will be on Wednesday 9 May, 1990 at 2pm. The opening will be by NZAD’s Patron, Governor General Sir Paul Reeves.
A petition is printed in the newsletter for Deaf people to post to the Broadcasting Commission.
The 50th Anniversary reunion of the Auckland Deaf Society table tennis club is planned for Saturday 30 June at the Clubroom.
Kath and Sen Smith will celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary on 26 April 1990 at the Deaf Centre. Both have been members of ADS since the society was formed. They have been life members for 31 years.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Golf Bloopers and Good Times with the ADS Golf Club

Doug looks back on his golfing days with the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club, playing alongside friends like Owen Gibbons and John McRae. He remembers the fun they had and laughs at some of his worst moments on the course. One time, his ball hit a tree and got stuck in the branches. He had to take a penalty to get it out. In another game, his shot landed near a tree. He lined it up carefully, took the swing, and badly bent his iron. That club went straight into the rubbish bin!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

From New Lynn to Avondale: A Necessary Move

Tony served as President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf from 1999 to 2003. At the time, the focus was on supporting Deaf youth – not relocating. But when asbestos was discovered in the ceiling of the New Lynn building, with removal costs estimated at $600,000, a major decision had to be made. With support from a funder willing to underwrite the risk, the building was sold and a new location was secured. The Avondale office officially opened in November 1999.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

Table Tennis Drill Sessions That Paid Off

Top-seeded ADS table tennis players Terry Kane and Lyndon Malcolm were coached by a hearing man, Sonny Rivers. To improve their game, they trained several times a week. Terry recalls Sonny pushing them hard, especially with spin returns from the training machine. Over time, their technique improved, leading to wins against both hearing and Deaf opponents.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Unknown, Colleen Norris

Colleen’s Bowls Win While Six Months Pregnant

Colleen explains how she got involved in Auckland Deaf Society’s indoor bowls team for the 1968 NZ Deaf Sports Convention in Christchurch. The team was short on players, and since her husband was already going to play basketball, she decided to join. Her mother-in-law came to help look after her daughter. At the time, Colleen was six months pregnant. Despite that, she won the singles, doubles, and team events. She remembers how formal team photos were back then. In the November team photo, everyone tried to hide her pregnancy!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Tony Walton on Building a More Accessible Deaf Aotearoa

Tony reflects on his involvement with the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (now Deaf Aotearoa). In 1989, during the World Deaf Games, New Zealand had only two or three qualified NZSL interpreters – a serious shortage. NZDSA was strongly sign-based, while the NZAD board leaned more oral. After the Games, Tony joined NZAD as a delegate to learn how it worked, eventually becoming President. His focus was on Deaf youth, leading to the creation of Friends of Young Deaf (FYD), better Māori engagement and involvement with more NZSL interpreters. One key goal was to have 13 interpreters nationwide, giving every major town and city access. Interpreter pay and access were limited back then – very different from today.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

Donating the Doubles Trophies: Terry Kane’s Gift to ADS Table Tennis

Terry Kane shares how he donated two trophies to the ADS Table Tennis Club, one for men’s doubles and one for women’s doubles. The club held annual prizegivings to celebrate its players. As a former chairperson, Terry helped carry on the legacy of earlier leaders like the Seddons and players such as Rae McKie.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

From “Basketball” to Netball

Colleen started playing netball at the School for the Deaf, though it was still called basketball at the time. The term “netball” was just beginning to be used. After leaving school, she joined a hearing club where the old name stuck. When Jan Howard moved to Auckland from Australia, they agreed to put out an advertisement to form a Deaf team. The response was strong. Auckland’s team wore handmade uniforms. Teams also formed in Palmerston North and Christchurch, competing in the Deaf Sports Convention. Colleen later played in multiple Trans-Tasman Games and recalls the hard training, especially all the running.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

A Night to Remember: ADS Netball Club’s Burlesque Fundraiser

Colleen shares a lively memory from 1976, when the Auckland Deaf Society netball club celebrated its first birthday with a fundraising event. To make the night more exciting, Doreen Powell suggested a burlesque-themed evening. The team went all in, with costumes and cheeky performances, and at one point, someone’s shoes even flew off mid-act. Colleen dressed as a red and white striped prostitute and remembers the night as brilliant and full of laughter.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

Ending the Streak: Terry’s Proud Table Tennis Memory

Terry Kane captained the ADS table tennis team at the 1985 Sports Convention in Napier, where they won the Men's Interclub Table Tennis Cup. He also ended an 11-year winning streak by defeating a long-dominant Christchurch player. Terry recalls spotting a weakness in his opponent’s game and using it to secure a very satisfying win!

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

John’s Early Days on the Indoor Bowls Mat

John gave indoor bowls a go in the late 1960s and played for about a decade. He started in 1968, the year his team won the overall Jerome Plate. He was lucky to play under Skip Sen Smith, a top indoor bowls player in both Auckland and New Zealand. John remembers how everyone had to dress formally for team photos, wearing suits and ties. Unlike today’s more relaxed style, he believes things were better back then.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

A Trophy from His Father: John Remembers the Mansell Cup

John Mansell shares how his father, Clyde Mansell, donated the Chairman Trophy to the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club. Known as the Mansell Cup, it was awarded for overall points in an annual competition. Deaf golfers played at various courses, and in the first competition, one player even scored a hole in one!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

The Rise of Table Tennis at Auckland Deaf Society

Terry Kane, one of ADS’s top-ranked table tennis players, shares how he got involved with the club. He recalls encouraging 26 players to join, with games played on 4 to 5 tables in the old Balmoral hall. It was a popular time, with strong fundraising and high participation. Terry remembers it as a wonderful period. He also talks about the Auckland Adult Deaf Society Challenge Cup, established in 1938, interclub competitions, open championships, and matches against hearing players at Waitemata.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Jeff Went

How Combined Sports Powered Auckland Deaf Society

Jeff shares how he first got involved with Combined Sports at the Auckland Deaf Society and how it all worked behind the scenes. Combined Sports – later known as Sports, Social and Recreation (SSR) – ran monthly social events at the Deaf Club that were hugely popular and helped raise significant funds for individual sports clubs. Instead of relying on the Board of Management, Combined Sports used those funds to buy much-needed sports and office equipment. At the time, investment interest rates were strong and every member contributed $5 to help cover tournament and competition costs.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

From Rough Start to Trophies: Doug’s Golfing Journey

Doug, former treasurer of the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club, looks back on his time chasing trophies like Most Improved Player, Best Putted Trophy, and Most Attendance. Yes, he won them all! His golfing adventure began with a push from friends and a rough first round at the tricky Waitakere Golf Club. The result? Not great. But Doug stuck with it, teeing off at courses like Takapuna and Chamberlain, and even swinging his way into the NZ Deaf Games.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

Why Auckland Deaf Netball Chose the Elephant as Its Mascot

Colleen shares the story behind the elephant mascot used by the Auckland Deaf netball team. The team often wore tops with an elephant symbol or brought an elephant soft toy to their games. She explains how the idea came about and why the elephant became a special symbol for the team.