
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1964 (Vol. 1, No. 4)
NZSL Stories


1988
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Black and White Fancy Dress Fundraiser for 1989 WGD Christchurch
The Black and White themed Fancy Dress party at Christchurch Deaf Society on 28th May 1988 was a fundraiser for the World Games for the Deaf. Creative members dressed-up as prisoners, punk rockers, Spanish costume dress with bolero, nuns, waitresses, and rugby league players!












NZSL Stories


1998
video – Taonga source: Rae McKie
School for the Deaf Marching Girls reunited 45 years later!
The infamous Deaf Marching Girls reunite 45 years later, with a Friday spent practicing before showing their routine to supporters at van Asch on the Sunday.




1994
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Japanese Deaf group visits Christchurch Deaf Club
It's a Friday evening and the Christchurch Deaf Club is where its happening! A tour group of 24 Deaf Japanese visitors make CDC a must-visit on their New Zealand itinerary.














1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Dunedin vs Christchurch: Indoor Bowls at Christchurch Deaf Club
Dunedin and Christchurch battle it out at the Christchurch Deaf Club’s Armagh Street hall during winter where the mountain ranges around Christchurch are covered with snow!














1991
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
‘An Oriental Evening’: Golf Club fundraiser
The Christchurch Golf Club hosts a fundraiser at the Armagh Street Clubrooms, organising a social evening - with participants encouraged to come in Chinese Fancy Dress. Origami folding and calligraphy were some of the games on the night. Watch to see who won the compulsory fancy-dress parade!














1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Canterbury beats Wellington in a game of rugby league
A game of rugby league between the Canterbury and Wellington boys in 1991. The game was played at Hampshire Park, Christchurch on 11 May 1991. Canterbury beat Central, 42-26, followed by a post-match social and further celebrations at Christchurch Deaf Society.



NZSL Stories






Est. 1922
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf Society of Canterbury
The Deaf Society of Canterbury is New Zealand’s oldest Deaf Club, established in the mid 1920s. It has provided the inspiration for the development of other clubs around the country, including Auckland. Dennis Tod and Sue Penman have done a great job of rounding up some of the films from the Canterbury Deaf community.


1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Old-Time Fancy Dress party, Christchurch 1979
A fancy dress party is held at the Canterbury Deaf Society’s clubrooms.




1980
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Two founding members of Christchurch Deaf Club take a trip down memory lane
Cyril Pruden and Douglas Ashley, two founding members of the Christchurch Deaf Club, discuss the club’s history at its Armagh Street location.














1977
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Christchurch Women Group: Progressive Dinner
The Christchurch Deaf Women’s Group hosts a progressive dinner. Three courses at three different locations all in one night in 1977!




2015
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Demolished Wood Floor Souvenir: CHCH DEAF CLUB, 1965–2011




1991
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club: Shipwreck Fancy Dress Party, 20 April 1991
A shipwreck themed fancy dress party – a basketball fundraiser – was organised by the Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club. There are pirates aplenty and dress parades with the best dressed going to Graham Hammond and Joyce Ferguson.














1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Women’s Club gathering at Armagh Street
A day inside for the Christchurch Deaf Women's Club at Armagh Street, with cakes, jewellery and clothes for sale!














1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
A look around the Armagh Street clubroom whilst the ceiling is being painted
A tour around the 323a Armagh Street clubroom filled with memories, trophies, photos, and a framed letter from Helen Keller. Jo Smith is working in the office that day, with Tom Still painting the inside ceiling.














1990
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Wrap-up Christmas party at Deaf Society of Canterbury
Deaf Society of Canterbury on Armagh Street celebrates the end of 1990 with a wrap-up Christmas party, and a few speeches!





1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Lawn Bowls prizegiving at Christchurch Deaf Society
The Christchurch Deaf Lawn Bowls Club organises its annual prizegiving, with lunch and drinks at Christchurch Deaf Society, on 6th October 1993.














1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball 25th Jubilee: Social dance at Armagh Street Clubroom
The Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club, established in 1951, celebrates their 25th Jubilee on Saturday 31 July, 1976 – with a game between old previous members versus young current members, before a social dance evening at the Armagh Street clubroom.














1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
A Friday evening at Christchurch Deaf Society
Members hustle and bustle around the Deaf Club’s kitchen on a Friday evening, taking care of orders, cooking, and payments - back in the days when meals were $5.00 and cans were only $1!

















