HomePublicationsAuckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1990

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1990

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

  • The Deaf Action Group has arranged a meeting for Jeff Went, Susan Hamilton and Shona McGhie to tell you all about their meeting with Ruth Harley, the Executive Director of Broadcasting Commission about the broadcasting fees and TV subtitles. 
  • There will be an opening evening at the Deaf Centre for Deaf Awareness Week on 26 September 1990. There will be a demonstration of finger spelling and signing by members of ADS and sign language class students. 
  • The ADS Board of Management would like to see a youth group for members from 16 years to 25 years of age to be formed.
  • Deaf Clubs
  • TV/Media

Can you help?

NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Golf Bloopers and Good Times with the ADS Golf Club

Doug looks back on his golfing days with the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club, playing alongside friends like Owen Gibbons and John McRae. He remembers the fun they had and laughs at some of his worst moments on the course. One time, his ball hit a tree and got stuck in the branches. He had to take a penalty to get it out. In another game, his shot landed near a tree. He lined it up carefully, took the swing, and badly bent his iron. That club went straight into the rubbish bin!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

A Thursday Tradition: How Pam Found Badminton

Pam Croskery shares how she got involved with the ADS Badminton Club. At 13, while at school, Pauline Seddon took her to the Deaf Club. There, Pam met many Deaf people and watched them playing badminton at the Balmoral hall. With a hockey background, she gave it a try and quickly fell in love with the sport. She enjoyed learning from other Deaf players who helped her with tips and rules. Every Thursday, Pauline brought her to play from 5.30pm to 7pm. Pam played badminton from age 13 until retiring at 52.
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: Kevin Pivac

Jonathan and Kevin Featured in the 8 O’Clock After Big Badminton Win

Jonathan Anton and Kevin Pivac were featured in the popular 8 O’Clock newspaper after being interviewed while playing badminton that morning. The article was printed and released that same evening. The two often played together and had just come off a tough win the weekend before, taking out an eight-game match at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Doug’s Time on the Badminton Court

Doug kicked off his ADS badminton journey in the early 1980s, later going on to represent New Zealand. He trained hard – Tuesday nights at Balmoral with the Deaf Club and Thursday night games at Gillies Ave, often facing hearing players. He prepped for the 1985 Los Angeles and 1989 Christchurch Deaf Games, but by 1988, numbers dropped and badminton eventually faded from the NZ Deaf Sports Convention. Doug adds he never partnered with his wife Pam in doubles as they saw enough of each other at home. Better to pick someone else and keep the peace!
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: Shona McGhie

Thrown Into It: Shona Becomes ADS Badminton Club Secretary

Shona McGhie never planned on taking a leadership role, but that’s exactly what happened soon after she joined the Auckland Deaf Society. Having previously been involved with the Christchurch Deaf Club, she moved to Auckland after an overseas holiday, drawn by its vibrant Deaf community. Not long after reconnecting with her love for badminton, she attended the club’s AGM just to show support – only to be unexpectedly voted in as secretary on the spot! Stepping into the role straight away, Shona went on to serve five dedicated years with the ADS Badminton Club.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Jonathan Anton

Jonathan’s Look Back at ADS Badminton’s Golden Days

Utilising Auckland Deaf Society's Balmoral Hall, the ADS Badminton Club became a popular gathering point. The hall featured four full courts with nets and all the necessary equipment. Many of the players had moved to New Zealand from overseas, including Shirley Withers and Len Cowper, creating a lively and diverse atmosphere. Jonathan briefly served as treasurer and fondly recalls plenty of friendly matches between Deaf teams from Auckland and Hamilton. Great times, great memories!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

ADS Badminton Winners Pins: 1983 to 1988

Pam Croskery explains the shift from trophies to a Winners Pin for the Auckland Deaf Society badminton club between 1983 and 1988. The pin allowed engraved strips for names, years, and event titles, making it easier to record multiple winners. Open championships were included, while interclub competitions required ADS membership. Today, ADS holds three Winners Pins belonging to Pam Croskery, Doug Croskery and Penny Went.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Jonathan Anton

Cups, Matches, and Fair Play: Jonathan on the ADS Badminton Club

Jonathan reflects on his time with the ADS Badminton Club, where he not only played but also contributed to its legacy by donating the ‘Anton Cup – Men’s Singles Round Robin’, a trophy he went on to win six times. The club also competed in interclub tournaments alongside hearing players, strengthening their skills and broadening their experience. He also highlights the ‘Keogh Cup – Mixed Doubles’, a fun and inclusive competition where strong players were paired with less experienced ones to keep things fair and enjoyable for all.
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: Doug Croskery

From Rough Start to Trophies: Doug’s Golfing Journey

Doug, former treasurer of the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club, looks back on his time chasing trophies like Most Improved Player, Best Putted Trophy, and Most Attendance. Yes, he won them all! His golfing adventure began with a push from friends and a rough first round at the tricky Waitakere Golf Club. The result? Not great. But Doug stuck with it, teeing off at courses like Takapuna and Chamberlain, and even swinging his way into the NZ Deaf Games.
Adrienne Killen
Adrienne Killen
Danny (Daniel) Beech
Danny (Daniel) Beech
Doug (Douglas) Croskery
Doug (Douglas) Croskery
Fiona Damm (Smith)
Fiona Damm (Smith)
Jeff (Jeffrey) Went
Jeff (Jeffrey) Went
Jim (James) Wilson
Jim (James) Wilson
Keith Smith
Keith Smith
Mac McKie
Mac McKie
Marion Forrest (Butcher)
Marion Forrest (Butcher)
Ngaire Doherty
Ngaire Doherty
Pam Croskery (McCullough)
Pam Croskery (McCullough)
Penny Went (Clements)
Penny Went (Clements)
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Rex Chester
Rex Chester
Shona McGhie
Shona McGhie
Susan Hamilton
Susan Hamilton
Wayne Bird
Wayne Bird

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS1990-09-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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