Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 2009

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s July 2009 newsletter:

ADS has gained funding to purchase a new trophy cupboard which will be set up by the wall near the pool tables.
Congratulations to ADS members who won the 16th National Ten Pin Bowling Championships in Invercargill during Queens Birthday Weekend. Full results are listed in the newsletter.
The 4th National Deaf Youth Camp committee are organising the Wallace Williams Comedy Night, to be held on 26 September 2009.

Can you help?

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: Shirley Bregmen

Honouring Her Mother: Shirley on the Bregmen 8 Ball Trophies

Shirley talks about the ‘Bregmen Memorial Trophy: Eight Balls Championship’ and the ‘Bregmen Trophy: 8 Ball Pool, Auckland Deaf Society vs R.S.A.’ – two meaningful trophies donated to the Auckland Deaf Society by her father in memory of her mother. Her father, who was Vice President of the Mt Wellington R.S.A. Club, wanted to honour her legacy and create a lasting connection between the two communities.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

ADS 8 Ball Memories: Terry Kane’s Time at the Table

At the old Auckland Deaf Society Clubroom in Balmoral, there was two pool tables. At that time, Terry Kane was the Chairperson of the ADS 8 Ball Pool Club. There were lots of matches between the Auckland and Hamilton Deaf teams where there were trips to Waikato and back. Around 2011 Christchurch also came and played in Hamilton. Terry Kane won singles 2011, and doubles 2009. He says he didnt have much time to mow the lawns with his focus on sports!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Richard Hay

The Ultimate Boat for Deaf Fishers: Richard’s Journey from 5.5m to 43ft!

Richard shares the story of his first 5.5m boat, a favourite among the Auckland Deaf Fishing Club, with trips all over Auckland. But the real upgrade came later – a massive 43-foot ex-Navy longboat, perfect for overnight trips with space to sleep six comfortably. With its panoramic windows offering clear views in every direction, it was an ideal boat for Deaf fishers!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Michelle Kruger

From Newcomer to NZ Deaf Games Winner

After moving from South Africa to New Zealand, Michelle was eager to meet new people and join a community. The Auckland Deaf Society’s 8 Ball Pool Club turned out to be the perfect place to start. What began with learning the basics soon became a fun and social challenge. She bought her own cues, built her skills, and went on to compete in the NZ Deaf Games as part of the Northern Zone Deaf 8 Ball Pool team. Despite her early inexperience, Michelle steadily improved and proudly came home with the NZ Deaf Games’ top trophy.

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: Doug Croskery

Doug’s Legendary Snapper Catch at Whangaparāoa

Doug won the Heaviest Snapper of the Year in 2005 with a 3.62kg catch, but his personal best came in 2006 with a massive 6.34kg snapper. He recalls the day clearly – a fishing trip out on Whangaparāoa where, after trying a few spots, they decided to try one more. That final stop paid off. Doug hauled in three huge fish that barely fit into his chilly box. The Deaf crew was amazed! Once weighed on land, the biggest snapper came in at 6.34kg. It was his best ‘fishing year’. Doug’s record stood unbeaten until 2019, when John caught a 6.50kg snapper.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Cecilia Waitohi

Hooked on the Spot!

Cecilia never planned to become a fisher. She just tagged along with her husband, William Waitohi, when the ADS Fishing Club was revived. Armed with a big book and no expectations, she settled in for a relaxing day – until William handed her a rod. One cast later, she was hooked! The book forgotten; the fish biting. The real surprise came when the Coastguard pulled up to their tiny boat and politely informed them they were fishing in a marine reserve. “What’s a marine reserve?” Cecilia asked, mortified.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Jonathan Anton

The ‘Crap Fishing’ Winner Who Let the Marlin Go!

Jonathan, proud winner of the ADS ‘Crap Fishing of the Year’ award in 2000 (and also the winner of the 'Best Man Angler of the Year' award in 2005!), looks back on his time with the club as full of laughs, good company, and weekend adventures. There were all sorts of fish, plenty of challenges and one unforgettable marlin! It happened on a charter boat where everyone took 30-minute turns on the rod. Jonathan just happened to be up when the marlin struck. Over an hour later, after a wild battle, he finally reeled it in. But seeing the marlin up close, he made the call to tag and release. No need for a trophy on the wall!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Ruth Jessep

Ruth Jessep’s Long Game to Win the Overall High Series Shield

Ruth Jessep shares her journey to winning the Auckland Deaf Society’s Overall High Series (Scratch) Shield, a title she had been aiming for over several years. The competition runs across ten months, with monthly games and points adding up toward the shield. Ruth placed second at one point before finally winning in 2023. She describes herself as a dark horse, starting with a low handicap and aiming for a minimum score of 160, improving steadily from there.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

How Auckland’s Deaf Ten Pin Bowling Club Took Off

After a trip to Melbourne, Colleen was asked if there were any Deaf ten pin bowlers in Auckland. That question stuck with her. Once home, she placed an advertisement in the Auckland Deaf Club newsletter to gauge interest. Years earlier, she had bowled casually in New Lynn with a few Deaf friends but this time, the response exploded. Twenty-four Deaf bowlers signed up. They began holding regular Sunday competitions at the Lincoln Road bowling centre. Colleen’s love for the sport also took her overseas, representing New Zealand in tournaments across the USA, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Schischka

Fishing Fails: The Infamous ‘Crap Fishing of the Year’ Toilet Seat Trophy

Ever wondered about the meaning behind Auckland Deaf Fishing’s infamous ‘Crap Fishing of the Year’ toilet seat trophy? John Schischka reveals the story behind the quirky frog addition and hilariously recounts why Susan Hamilton, Doug Croskery, and Jonathan Anton earned the not-so-coveted award. From epic fishing fails to unforgettable moments, watch to find out what went wrong!