NZ Deaf News: December 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 6)

Some of the items featured in the December 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 6) issue of ‘New Zealand Deaf News’:

The NZ Society for the Deaf has been re-named the ‘New Zealand Combined Societies for the Deaf’.
The Auckland Drama Club will be having their social which will involve a contest between sections for the best act.
Work has been going on in preparation for the International Year of the Disabled Person (1981). Telethon 1981 will be for the disabled.
New Zealand players selected for the World Deaf Games in Germany in July 1981, with a B team also selected.
Results of the 25th New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention.
Stop Press! The first model of the TTY, the ‘Porta Printa’ MK 2 costs $1,000. This machine is completely portable and has a two inch paper print-out, which means that copy is kept of all conversations.
TVNZ recently announced it would run a subtitled weekly news programme for the deaf which will start February 1981. The format will be based on the BBC programme ‘News Review’. Auditions for a presenter will be conducted in Christchurch shortly.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Oops, That Was Me! Susie’s Athletics Mix-Up at the 1981 Deaf Games

At just 15 years old, Susie competed in the 100m and 200m events at the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln, with Barbara Hazelwood from Palmerston North as her chaperone. Nervous before her first race, she climbed down through the stadium seats to reach the track, only to be stopped by an official who reminded her to use the proper tunnel like the other athletes. He let her through, but Susie was surprised (and a bit embarrassed!) to see the rest of her heat arrive in a formal line. She loved the deaf-friendly starting system, with ground lights that flashed when the gun fired. But in the 200m, things took a twist. Her team manager mistakenly told her she hadn’t qualified for the final. Later, while watching the race, she saw an empty lane… and her name on the scoreboard. She had qualified after all, but it was too late – a once-in-a-lifetime moment missed!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

From Supporter to Secretary: Shona McGhie’s NZDSA Story

Shona McGhie shares how she became involved with the NZ Deaf Sports Association after attending the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln as a supporter. Excited by the atmosphere, she was invited by Norman to observe an NZDSA executive meeting – just as they were searching for a new secretary, with Margaret Coutts joining the organising committee for the upcoming 1989 Games. Although nervous, Shona accepted the challenge. It was a full-on time, working with green-and-black screen computers, fax machines, and letters – well before the digital age. With the 1989 World Deaf Games on the horizon, it was a particularly busy era, but one Shona embraced with dedication until stepping down in 1996.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

Wearing Two Hats: Shona on Leading NZ Deaf Sports

Shona McGhie talks about her dual role in the 1980s-90s as Secretary of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and as the NZ Deaf Games Administrator. In her administrative capacity, she was responsible for ensuring the host city met all requirements to run the Sports Convention games smoothly. Her duties included organising meetings, AGMs, and coordinating with delegates – focusing on teams, rules, and bylaws to define everyone’s role. She served as administrator for three years, mastering the art of wearing two hats to keep Deaf sports in NZ on track.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

A Silver to Remember: Shona’s Memories from the 1981 World Deaf Games

In 1981, Shona McGhie travelled to Köln, Germany, to attend the World Deaf Games as a supporter, joining Colleen Norris to cheer on the New Zealand athletes. While there, she witnessed the incredible performance of NZ wrestling representative Robert Algie. Though she can’t recall exactly which round, she remembers the electric atmosphere, the huge crowd, and the overwhelming support as Robert battled his way through to the finals. His effort paid off – he proudly earned a silver medal for New Zealand. Shona describes it as a unique and emotional moment.

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.

Barbara Hazelwood (O’Neill)

Barbara Hazelwood (O’Neill)

Cheryl Anton (Herd)

Cheryl Anton (Herd)

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Diane Burch

Douglas Ashley

John Hunt

John Mansell

John McRae

Ken Brain

Laura Hunt

Lorraine Nilsson

Lorraine Nilsson

Margaret Coutts

Margaret Coutts

Mary Johnson

May Murray

Michael Rose

Morris Coutts

Owen Gibbons

Patreena Bryan (Barningham)

Patreena Bryan (Barningham)

Patty (Noeline) Still

Patty (Noeline) Still

Robert Algie

Robyn Crosbie

Roy Williams

Royce Flynn

Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Tony McGill

Taonga source:

New Zealand Deaf News

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DN1980-17-6-MJN

Copyright status:

This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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