Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 1989

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s May 1989 newsletter:

Members are asked to show their membership cards on Friday night buffet evenings. The ADS Board of Management would like a permanent doorperson to check member’s cards on Friday evenings.
Souvenirs from the World Games for the Deaf are on sale at a discount. This involves tank tops, tee shirts, plaques, banners, caps, key rings, button badges, glasses, pens, badges, chocolate, NZ flags and monograms. Deaf Sports New Zealand is also publishing a book on the Games, to be purchased at $30.00 each.
ADS Combined Sports has planned a ‘Married vs Single soccer match’ on Sunday 21 May.

Can you help?

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Daphne Jones

Doug (Douglas) Croskery

Doug (Douglas) Croskery

Hugh Penman

John McRae

Laurie Schischka

Laurie Schischka

Lyndon Malcolm

Susan Hamilton

Terry (Terence) Kane

Terry (Terence) Kane

Relevant Links

Auckland Deaf Society

Taonga source:

Auckland Deaf Society

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1989-05-MJN

Copyright status:

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

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