HomePublicationsNZ Deaf News: Autumn 1964 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1964 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

Some of the items featured in the 1964 Autumn Issue of ‘NZ Deaf News’ (Vol. 1, No. 3):

  • District ‘Round-Up’ from Auckland Deaf Society, Christchurch Deaf Club, Dunedin Deaf Club, Manawatu Deaf Club, Northland Deaf Club, Waikato Deaf Club and Wellington Deaf Society.
  • The New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association meets shortly to decide whether to send a team to the Washington to participate in the 10th International Games for the Deaf.
  • Readers complained that the previous issue consisted too much news from Auckland. Editors conceded that this was true but asked country folks to please take up their pens and tell them their news!
  • ‘Do You Have Trouble Waking Up? – an advertisement for an alarm light clock made by Alex Goodhue in Whangarei.
  • Letters to the editor concerns an article in the NZ Herald about deaf people and the safety of their driving! Editors plead that deaf people are alert, dependent on their eyes and initiative to guide their vehicles!
  • The Hawkes Bay has formed a Deaf Club with its President being Ray Forman. The Club has over 20 members and meet once a month at the homes of members.
  • Deaf Organisations
  • TV/Media

Can you help?

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: 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: 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.
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: 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: Doug Croskery

Wenderholm, Long Bay and a Trophy on the Side!

Doug shares his favourite Auckland Deaf Society picnic locations, Wenderholm Park and Long Bay. The club used them on alternate years and both had big grassy spaces, plenty of shade and easy access to swimming. Doug also talks about how he won the Oliver Trophy for Step Distance with a clever strategy. Later, he shared his secret with his wife, who went on to win the trophy two years later. Doug came in a close second and took the loss happily.
Bill Perkinson
Bill Perkinson
Colin Goodhue
Colin Goodhue
Darcy Dale
Darcy Dale
Dz Svikers
Dz Svikers
Joan Bailey
Joan Bailey
John Hunt
John Hunt
Ken Brain
Ken Brain
Laurie Schischka
Laurie Schischka
Marlene Rush
Marlene Rush
Patreena Bryan (Barningham)
Patreena Bryan (Barningham)
Pauline Sedon
Pauline Sedon
Ray (Raymond) Jenkin
Ray (Raymond) Jenkin
Ray Forman
Ray Forman
Sen (Stewart) Smith
Sen (Stewart) Smith
Vernon Pope
Vernon Pope
Taonga source:
New Zealand Deaf News
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DN1964-1-3-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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Auckland Deaf Society McHattie Trophy: Tug-Of-War, Married vs Single

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  • Pam Croskery
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Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Framed Suit: International Deaf Games, Washington 1965

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publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
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Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, Tenth International Games for the Deaf, Washington D.C. 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
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publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1964

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1965
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Souvenir Ribbon: New Zealand – Tenth International Games, Washington 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
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N.Z. Kiwi Badge: Worn at multiple international Deaf events: CISS Congress 1953, Helsinki 1961, Washington 1965, Koln 1982 and Los Angeles 1985

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Pocket Patch: International Deaf Games, Washington 1965

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