HomePublicationsAuckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1991

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1991

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

  • Tony Mooar has completed his survey on what TV subtitled programmes Deaf people would like to see on TV. His report is ready for anyone who would like to read them. 
  • An ‘open’ invitation has been extended to all ADS members to come to a social evening for Wallace Williams 70th birthday at the Clubroom. 
  • ADS table tennis is organising a fancy dress social where people are to dress up starting with a ‘P’, e.g. parrot, police, paperman, postman, etc.
  • Deaf Clubs
  • TV/Media

Can you help?

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

Part 1: John’s First Whistle – A Deaf Ref Takes the Field

John shares how he got into rugby league refereeing after approaching a ref at his local Glenora Bears club, where he used to play. His first game was in Manurewa, and both teams were told in advance that the referee was deaf. The match was even filmed, with none other than the Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, watching from the sidelines keeping a close eye on John. He rose to the challenge. John used clear, sharp signals and wasn’t afraid to use his voice to keep the game moving. He even added some of his own flair – a bold “I’ve had enough!” gesture. He got a big thumbs up from the Mad Butcher and was later picked to referee the final of the season. That same year, he was also given an award for his refereeing.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 2: Refereeing Across Regions – Hawke’s Bay to Wellington

After his time with the Auckland Rugby League Referees Association, John moved to Hawke’s Bay where he continued refereeing while settling into a new job. He quickly adapted to their systems and wasn’t shy about calling out fights or handing out penalties. His gestures were sharp and clear, especially when sending someone to the sin bin for ten minutes. Later, he moved to Wellington where his name was already known. Although there was some hesitation at first, John worked hard to ease concerns and became a popular and respected referee. Clubs often invited him to events, but he kept things modest and only accepted one pint.
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: 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: 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: John Mansell

Part 4: Flying the Flag as a Deaf Referee

In 1990, John was stunned to be selected as the New Zealand XV referee for an international tour to England and France. He embraced the experience, swapped ties with other referees, and visited the Leeds Deaf Club. England won the match 25 to 11. Later, John passed a refereeing exam to move up a level and went on to officiate another international between New Zealand and France, where France won by just one point. No issues were raised about his performance. He was proud to show that a Deaf referee could do the job just as well as anyone else.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 3: Making a Statement in Christchurch

In 1986, John moved to Christchurch for work as a supervisor and continued refereeing. He was warmly welcomed into the local rugby league scene and received several awards for his efforts. In one memorable game on the outskirts of Christchurch, a hearing coach was badmouthing John from the sideline. John caught it from the corner of his eye, blew the whistle, and firmly told the coach to be quiet using clear gestures. The coach was stunned that a Deaf referee had spotted it. The crowd erupted in support. After the match, John simply said, “Deaf can do it.”
Andrew Vickery
Andrew Vickery
Fiona Damm (Smith)
Fiona Damm (Smith)
Harry Hanley
Harry Hanley
Kathy Hassan
Kathy Hassan
Keith Smith
Keith Smith
Mac McKie
Mac McKie
Marion Forrest (Butcher)
Marion Forrest (Butcher)
Noreen Wilson (Smith)
Noreen Wilson (Smith)
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Ray (Raymond) Jenkin
Ray (Raymond) Jenkin
Robert Marquet
Robert Marquet
Tony Mooar
Tony Mooar
Wallace Williams
Wallace Williams

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1991-06-MJN
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.

If you liked this, you might also like...

1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Northern Deaf Golf – NZ Deaf Games

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society

There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.
Auckland Deaf Society
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Society Ball

Debutantes who were presented to the Mayor and Mayoress Mr and Mrs Ashby at the first ball organised this week by the Auckland Adult Deaf Society.
Auckland Deaf Society
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Deaf Bowls Auckland

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Framed Pocket Patch: Auckland Deaf Ten Pin Bowling

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Ruth Jessep
1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap

On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
2004-2013
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Top: Auckland Deaf Indoor Bowls Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Uniform: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2003

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1970s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. Men’s Basketball Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1988
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Top: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tunic: The first uniform of the Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris