
biography
Profile
Noeline ‘Patty’ Still (MNZM)
Patty, born 1932, received the M.N.Z.M in 2003 for her involvement in many activities and initiatives within the Deaf community. Patty was recognised for her efforts in promoting NZSL through her teaching of NZSL, and her work raising public awareness via her performances with the Christchurch Silent Singers group.

Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Club: T.G. Kane Cup – Women’s Double

NZSL Stories


1985
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Telethon 1985
The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.


NZSL Stories


1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Ready to lend helping hands to deaf
The class of eight graduates tonight after four months' study learning the variety of sign language used by New Zealand deaf people.


1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 3)
NZSL Stories


1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: New Zealand Flag



NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Hurling abuse at these two fellows is an exercise in sheer futility
Basketball referees Peter Murray and Peter Downie are quite used to being accused of being blind. This they ignore. Accusations of deafness are a different matter.
NZSL Stories






Est. 1962
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Manawatu Deaf Society
SignDNA is grateful to the Manawatu Deaf Society who have donated a large collection of films, recorded and edited by Joan Bailey, its founder. Established in 1962, it was originally named the Manawatu Deaf Sports Club. Later it was changed to the Manawatu Deaf Society.


Est. 1957
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Agg Points







1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Medal ceremony: Our badminton champions collect their medals!
It’s not often we get to see four New Zealanders on the podium at the same time, and that is what we get in this video! It's most certainly time to break out the champagne when the team gets back to their base with a speech by the team manager.














NZSL Stories


Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Berretti Challenge Cup: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship







1981
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
World Deaf Games lost to NZ – but not through Boks
New Zealand was passed over in its bid to host the World Deaf Games in 1985 – but not because of any Springbok tour snub, prominent local sports administrator, Mr Alan Barrett, believes.
NZSL Stories


Est. 1964
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Annual Picnic: Allen Trophy – Run Race, Oliver Trophy – Step Distance, McHattie Trophy – Tug-of-War







NZSL Stories


Est. 1970
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Singles Championship – Leslie Barrett Memorial







NZSL Stories


1986
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1986 (Vol. 22, No. 3)
NZSL Stories


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Badminton singles at WGD 1985: Post-game analysis
Watch the New Zealanders on court at the World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles! Doug Croskery, Jonathan Anton and Janet Watts each give a post-game commentary on the outcome of badminton matches played by Carolyn Hamlin, Lindsay Bamford and Penny Went.














NZSL Stories


biography
Profile
Daniel ‘Danny’ Beech (Benemerenti Medal)
Daniel (Danny) Beech was born in Pahiatua in 1942 and attended St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children from the age of 5. Danny embarked on a life crammed with commitment and loyalty to the NZ Deaf community.


Est. 1984
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowls Club: Consolation – Drawn Pairs







NZSL Stories


1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
‘Deaf Book’: First NZSL dictionary makes it to print
Dan Levitt’s work on the first NZSL dictionary in 1985 popularised the name, ‘New Zealand Sign Language’. In this news segment, Dan describes the different between the English Signing System and NZSL.




1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Pam and Kaz take life in their stride
Says Pam: “I think for me I live in two worlds and have two languages, the deaf language and the hearing language. I speak the deaf language because I was brought up with it.”


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Auckland gives the New Zealand Deaf team a proper send off!
The New Zealand Deaf team marched on Dominion Road, accompanied by police, with farewell speeches at Auckland Deaf Society before departing for the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles.














NZSL Stories


1960-80s
Object – Taonga source: John McRae
Auckland Deaf Society Life Member: John McRae’s pin and badge collection of national and international Deaf sport events


NZSL Stories


2001
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Loud and clear
The deaf community believes it has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for too long. Now it wants to be seen and heard as a group with its own cultural identity.


Est. 1981
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sir Woolf Fisher Memorial Trophy: Auckland Deaf Sportsman of The Year







NZSL Stories


1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
New Zealand Deaf Sport Mascot: A stuffed Kiwi





NZSL Stories


1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games



NZSL Stories


Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowls: Champ Triples







NZSL Stories


1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Pennant: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club


NZSL Stories


Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year







1989
article – Taonga source: NZPA
Games Open In Bright Display
A crowd of 4000 cheered and waved as about 1400 athletes and officials resplendent in national colours marched into the stadium as a reminder that the first World Games for the Deaf were held in Paris in 1924.
NZSL Stories
















