HomePublicationsAuckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 1990

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 1990

Some of the items featured in Auckland Deaf Society’s November 1990 newsletter:

  • Ngaire Doherty, the Team Manageress for the Auckland team at the 1990 New Zealand Deaf Games in Auckland gives a report. Auckland won the Aotearoa Turi Shield. Fetuao Valesi was awarded the Kays Cup for Most Outstanding Sportsperson. The Miss Deaf NZ contest and dinner was a great success with 426 guests joining in for the evening. 
  • Sign Language Dictionary Committee will have a meeting on 7 November 1990. It will discuss the national meeting of the NZSL dictionary, with a letter from Pat Dugdale, Chairperson, National Editorial Board, with minutes from the national meeting made available.
  • Deaf Clubs
  • TV/Media

Can you help?

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

Shona McGhie and the Magic of the Auckland Sign Singers

Shona McGhie reflects on her time with the Auckland Sign Singers, a group that helped raise awareness of Deaf culture and showed what Deaf performers could do. Rehearsals were often held at Dulcie McKie’s home, with support from Mac McKie and Gavin Gibbons. Shona recalls her favourite song and the challenge of remembering over 25 routines. It was a busy time full of travel, performance, and connection, and a chapter she looks back on fondly.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Doug on Auckland’s Elephant Mascot

Doug shares his view that the elephant became Auckland’s mascot in the late 1970s thanks to ASB Bank’s sponsorship, linking it to their well-known elephant money box. While others may remember it differently, this is how Doug recalls it. He also remembers the Auckland team finally beat Christchurch in 1977, winning 66 to 59 and taking home the Cunniffe Memorial Trophy. After the final whistle, both teams set the rivalry aside and shared drinks to celebrate a great match.
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: 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!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Switching Between Modes: Total Communication on Stage, NZSL Off

Susie Ovens shares her memories of the well-known Deaf Sign Singers group founded by Dulcie McKie, which used a Total Communication approach. She knew it wasn’t natural signing, and the group would often relax and switch to NZSL during breaks. Still, Susie recalls the performances having a strong impact, especially on hearing audiences who were moved by the group's energy and visual expressions.
Basil Kroon
Basil Kroon
Beverley Jordan
Beverley Jordan
David Loving-Molloy
David Loving-Molloy
Dianne Hill-Health
Dianne Hill-Health
Dulcie McKie
Dulcie McKie
Eileen Smith
Eileen Smith
Fetuao Ualesi
Fetuao Ualesi
Jeff (Jeffrey) Went
Jeff (Jeffrey) Went
John de Vere
John de Vere
John Hunt
John Hunt
Kevin Pivac
Kevin Pivac
Les Bury
Les Bury
Lynette Pivac
Lynette Pivac
Ngaire Doherty
Ngaire Doherty
Nita James
Nita James
Pam Croskery (McCullough)
Pam Croskery (McCullough)
Pat Dugdale
Pat Dugdale
Pauline Sedon
Pauline Sedon
Penny Went (Clements)
Penny Went (Clements)
Peter Aspden
Peter Aspden
Rex Chester
Rex Chester
Terry Moss
Terry Moss

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1990-11-MJN
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.

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