NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 1)

Some of the items featured in the 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 1) issue of ‘New Zealand Deaf News’:

Pam and Kaz Witko’s wedding in Paraparumu was officiated by a minister who “spoke plain enough for us deafies to understand the service.”
Results of ADS’s picnic at Long Beach with competitions for ‘Men’s Most Ugly Legs’ and ‘Old Buffers’ Largest Shell’ along with the usual tug-o-war and distance step.
The Whanganui Deaf Club held its first general meeting on 9 February with Beth Titter elected its President. It was decided to hold meetings once a month with a picnic planned for 4 March.
An obituary for Beth Roberts, rated one of the three best lip-reading tutors in New Zealand.
More details/synposes requested for programmes on television to give deaf people more information on what will be screened on television.
New Zealand team selected for the Sweden World Deaf Games 1973.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

From Eggs to Gumboots: Classic ADS Picnic Games

Pam recalls her favourite games from the Auckland Deaf Society picnics. One standout was the pea-spitting contest, where someone’s false teeth famously flew out mid-spit! Other popular events included messy raw egg challenges, gumboot throwing, and even bodybuilding competitions. Club picnics were often held at Long Bay.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Richard Hay

From Behind the Camera to Bodybuilding Runner-Up: Richard’s First Deaf Society Picnic!

Richard reminisces about his first Auckland Deaf Society picnic at Long Bay in 1990. At just 18 years old, he was full of excitement – and luckily, he had borrowed his mum’s video camera to capture the day, including the infamous tug-of-war! Encouraging others to take turns filming, he documented the fun while stepping out of his comfort zone. Despite his shyness, he even took part in the bodybuilding show, and to his surprise, placed second!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

The Oliver Trophy Challenge: One Step at a Time

The Oliver Trophy – Step Distance is a well-known award at the Auckland Deaf Society annual picnic. Open to men and women aged 40 and over, the goal is to match a set distance as closely as possible. Each year, the distance changes. In 2004, when Pam Croskery won, the target was 43 metres. Everyone had their own strategy to get as close as they could!

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Hunt

Establishing the ‘NZ Deaf News’ in 1962

John Hunt's involvement with NZ Deaf News spanned 23 years. Upon moving to New Zealand in 1962, he was surprised to find out that there was no NZ Deaf News at a time where radio and TV (which was inaccessible for Deaf people) were one of the main medium of news. He established the NZ Deaf News publication with a group of 10 people. The first issue was only 8 pages and with donations, the next one was 16 pages. It grew exponentially and was the place to go for Deaf-related news.

Adrienne Killen

Adrienne Killen

Barbara Hazelwood (O’Neill)

Barbara Hazelwood (O’Neill)

Bernie Clews

Beth Titter

Brian Harris

Dennis Creighton

Dennis Creighton

Dieter Helmerding

Dieter Helmerding

Doreen Howell (Forman)

Doreen Howell (Forman)

Eddie (Ed) Sedon

Eddie (Ed) Sedon

Erica Siviter

Geoff Harker

Gordon Brown

Graeme Forrest

Gwen Rapley

Helen Williams

Janet Watt

Joan Bailey

John Hunt

John Keogh

John Rua

Kaz Witko

Laura Hunt

Margaret Coutts

Margaret Coutts

Max (Maxwell) Howell

Max (Maxwell) Howell

May Murray

Ngaire Doherty

Norman Norris

Owen Gibbons

Pam Witko (Howell)

Pam Witko (Howell)

Peter Downie

Polly Fechney

Polly Forman (Karaka)

Polly Forman (Karaka)

Ray (Raymond) Jenkin

Ray (Raymond) Jenkin

Ray Forman

Robert (Bob) Forrest

Robert (Bob) Forrest

Wallace Williams

Wallace Williams

Taonga source:

New Zealand Deaf News

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DN1973-10-1-MJN

Copyright status:

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

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