NZ Deaf News: December 1981 (Vol. 19, No. 4)

Some of the items featured in the December 1981 (Vol. 11, No. 3) issue of ‘New Zealand Deaf News’:

Players are selected for the third Trans-Tasman Games, to be held in Australia after Christmas (27 December 1981 to 11 January 1982).
Meeting with Gallaudet College specialists, who spoke to NZAD and Deaf Clubs all around New Zeland, who recommended that New Zealand look at a full time Executive Director or Secretary (of NZAD), a leadership training programme, training of interpreters and study of NZSL.
An article on John Rua and his carving at the Artists Quarter in Christchurch.
A dinner was held at the Town House Hotel to celebrate the 21st birthday of the formation of Otago Deaf Society.
Results from the 26th New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention held in Palmerston North.
Pat Dugdale talks about her five months as Field Officer in Wellington.

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

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.

Anne Stronge

Barry Gernhoefer

Barry Gernhoefer

Bruce McHattie

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Diane Urlich

Gary Howard

Gwen Rapley

Janice Howard (Greenhalgh)

Janice Howard (Greenhalgh)

Joan Bailey

John Chandler

John Hunt

John McRae

John Rua

Kaz Witko

Keith Smith

Ken Brain

Kevin Neale

Lindsay (Lee) Bamford

Lindsay (Lee) Bamford

Lynne Smith

Malcolm Clausen

Malcolm Clausen

Margaret Coutts

Margaret Coutts

Mary Johnson

Michael Hope

Morris Coutts

Pat Dugdale

Patty (Noeline) Still

Patty (Noeline) Still

Peter Downie

Ray Forman

Tony McGill

Wayne McNamara

Relevant Links

Gallaudet University

Taonga source:

New Zealand Deaf News

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DN1981-18-4-MJN

Copyright status:

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

Note:

This item has been compressed and/or edited.