Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 1991

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s February 1991 newsletter:

The NZ Deaf News might be closed down if there are not enough support to pay the subscription fee for the book. Please contact Terry Walbran.
A meeting is called for Deaf people who will not pay their broadcasting fees for television, Jeff Went asks them to attend a meeting and explain their reasoning.
ADS membership fees have been increased by an additional $5 due to the increased levy by the NZ Deaf Sports Association.
Auckland Deaf Indoor Bowls Club is hosting the 25th Anniversary Tournament on Easter. It will be held at the Auckland Deaf Society Deaf Centre Hall.
The Auckland Deaf Awareness Committee will have its first meeting in March to elect a committee to organise the 1991 Deaf Awareness Week.

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: John Hunt

Establishing the ‘NZ Deaf News’ in 1962

John Hunt's involvement with NZ Deaf News spanned 23 years. Upon moving to New Zealand in 1962, he was surprised to find out that there was no NZ Deaf News at a time where radio and TV (which was inaccessible for Deaf people) were one of the main medium of news. He established the NZ Deaf News publication with a group of 10 people. The first issue was only 8 pages and with donations, the next one was 16 pages. It grew exponentially and was the place to go for Deaf-related news.

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: 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: Jeff Went

Part 1: Smoking on the Plane?! The NZ Deaf Team’s Shocking Flight to Bulgaria

Jeff Went, Team Manager and NZDSA Delegate for the New Zealand Deaf team at the 1993 World Games for the Deaf in Bulgaria, shares one of the team’s most unusual experiences. To their shock, smoking was completely accepted on the Bulgarian airline – passengers, air hostesses, and even the pilot were lighting up! With smoke drifting throughout the cabin on the long-haul flight, it made for an extremely uncomfortable journey.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Jeff Went

Part 2: Bulgaria on a Budget – The NZ Deaf Team’s Wild Discoveries

Jeff Went continues recounting the team’s time in Bulgaria, where they discovered just how cheap everything was – a loaf of bread and a pack of cigarettes both cost just 20 cents! He recalls his surprise at being handed a thick wad of cash for additional expenses and the challenge of carrying it around. The team also faced another shock – arriving at a swimming pool filled with murky green water! Thankfully, the issue was resolved, and later, Jeff had to accompany an athlete for an audiological test as part of the Games.

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: 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: Jeff Went

Part 3: Marathon Struggles & a Race Against Time to Get Home!

In the final part of the series, Jeff wraps up the New Zealand team’s experience in Bulgaria. The marathon team was frustrated with the poor state of the roads and the air quality, which made conditions difficult. On their journey home, the team nearly faced another hurdle – after their first flight was delayed, they worried they’d miss their Qantas connection. Fortunately, their plane was held back, ensuring they made it home in the end!

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!

Adrienne Killen

Adrienne Killen

Angela Sew Hoy

Basil Kroon

Bev Hickson-Snook

Bev Hickson-Snook

Bill (William) Dennis

Bill (William) Dennis

Colleen Norris (Cary)

Colleen Norris (Cary)

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Daphne Jones

Darryn Paul

David Ward

Della Dennis

Diane Burch

Elma Powell

Jeff (Jeffrey) Went

Jeff (Jeffrey) Went

John Bays

Kathleen French

Kathleen French

Kathy Hassan

Linda Prouse

Marion Forrest (Butcher)

Marion Forrest (Butcher)

Mary Johnson

Maureen Seth

Ngaire Doherty

Owen Gibbons

Penny Went (Clements)

Penny Went (Clements)

Rae McKie (Oxspring)

Rae McKie (Oxspring)

Rob Carrington

Sally Paul (Robertson)

Sally Paul (Robertson)

Shona McGhie

Susan Hamilton

Terry (Terence) Kane

Terry (Terence) Kane

Terry Stead

Relevant Links

Auckland Deaf Society

Taonga source:

Auckland Deaf Society

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1991-02-MJN

Copyright status:

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Note:

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