HomePublicationsNFD Journal: June 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 2)

NFD Journal: June 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 2)

Some of the items featured in the June 1987 issue of ‘NFD Journal’:

  • The Summer Diary of the Christchurch Deaf Sign Singers, covering their activities over Deafness Awareness Week, with many weeks of practice for the Christmas season with eight bookings.
  • Alan Young, Principal of Kelston School for Deaf Children retires with approximately 200 people attending
  • Hawkes Bay has its first interpreter and social worker based at Napier. Sign language classes are also offered at the Hawkes Bay Deaf Club.
  • Stephen Leach writes an article, “How does it feel to be deaf?” touching on his experiences at Gallaudet.
  • ADS advertises its 17 VHS tapes with subtitles to the Deaf community at $5.50 per 24 hour, with a $20.00 bond.
  • Deaf Organisations
  • TV/Media
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: Ruth Jessep

From Lions Club to Taradale: Ruth’s Time with Hawke’s Bay Deaf Club

Ruth moved to Napier in 1982 and first met the local Deaf community through its Christmas events. At the time, the group met at the Lions Club premises. When the Taradale building was purchased, members of the Hawke’s Bay Deaf Club came together to renovate the space, pulling down walls to make it larger and more Deaf-friendly. Ruth later joined the committee and helped plan the 10th anniversary of the club’s new home before moving to Auckland.
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.
Taonga source:
National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, NFDJ1987-1-2-MJN
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