Ephpheta: Easter 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 1)

Some of the items featured in ‘Ephpheta: Easter 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 1)’:

There have been a lot of changes at St Dominic’s this year. A Board of Management has been formed with people from Palmerston North and Feilding on it. They help the Sisters with the running of the hostel.
Congratulations to Michael Rose, Terry Kane and Suzanne Ovens who have been chosen for the athletics team to go to the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles. John Ooteman will be the New Zealand champion in the cycling. Bring home another GOLD MEDAL Johnny!

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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.

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.