HomePublicationsAuckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1962

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1962

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s August 1962 ’25th Jubilee’ newsletter:

  • Tickets for the ADS 25th Ball and Jubilee Dinner are on sale! Dinner will be on 24 August 1962 and the ball will be on the next day – the 25th. A wee history of ADS is also featured in the newsletter. Although the Club has been established at Balmoral, there are still plans to complete the hall when the floor is built above the foyer, to be a self contained Clubroom for the use of Deaf members only. 
  • The Deaf Demons basketball team was ‘born’ when they were located at Grey Street. They attained ‘A’ grade status in the YMCA Competitions and two of the members were selected for the Auckland representative team. 
  • A trophy cabinet has been set up at the Welfare Centre, with lots of bowls trophies, thanks to the dominant Deaf Bowling Team led by Sen and Kath Smith.
  • Deaf Clubs
  • TV/Media
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Schischka

From Indoor Bowls to Indoor Netball: The Evolution of the Balmoral Hall

John Schischka reflects on the old Auckland Deaf Society hall on Balmoral Road. Originally used for indoor bowls and hired out to hearing groups, the Balmoral Road hall was often thick with cigarette smoke – a common sight back in the day. Later, the badminton and basketball clubs made use of the space, but as time went on, it became a bit of a ‘white elephant.’ The Board eventually leased it as an indoor sports centre, where indoor netball became popular. Deaf members would play on Friday nights, then head upstairs for Club night.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Vice-Captain on Court: John’s ADS Basketball Days

John recalls playing for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team, where he served as vice-captain. Their light blue singlets with white ADS letters and player numbers were handmade by Valerie Eaton, wife of Jim Eaton (team coach). The team played in the Mt Albert A league and pulled off a surprise win. They trained regularly on Thursday nights at the Club's Balmoral hall.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Big Ears: The Story Behind the Auckland Elephant Mascot

John was the masseur for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team at the 1977 Labour Weekend tournament in Wellington. That year, Auckland won the Cunniffe Cup in a close match against Christchurch, 66 to 59. The team’s mascot was an elephant, a symbol of Deaf pride with its big ears and a long nose for shooting hoops. John remembers a tough game with constant injuries that kept him busy on the sidelines. He says Deep Heat saved the day!
Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1962-08-MJN
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