
1978
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Christchurch Basketball and Netball teams leave for Greymouth
The Christchurch Deaf Mens Basketball team travel to Greymouth, accompanied by the Deaf netball team.



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!



















1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball Club visits Hokitika, June 1976
The Christchurch Deaf Club basketball team plays a match in Hokitika in June 1976 versus a hearing team. Geoff Harker’s arm injury is a hot topic of discussion that weekend!



















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.







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.



















1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Past and current Christchurch Deaf Club basketball players face-off for a game
Established in 1951, the Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club celebrated their 25th Jubilee on Saturday 31 July 1976. The day kickstarts with a game between past players – in blue tops – versus current players – in yellow tops. There was also a social dance held that evening.



















1978
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Canterbury Deaf Club teams travel to Greymouth
The Canterbury Deaf Club Basketball & Netball teams travels to Greymouth, with the ‘Deaf Boys’ playing against the ‘Hot Shots’ and winning 67-54.



















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.



















2003
article – Taonga source: Bay Harbour News
Patty Still – active role model for deaf community
In late July, Woolston grandmother Noeline 'Patty' Still joined a special group of New Zealanders in Wellington for the official presentation of the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours medals. Patty was there to receive her MNZM for her services to the deaf community.


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


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!



















1975
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Basketball: A trip to Westport
The Christchurch Deaf Club basketball team travels to Westport during Queen’s Birthday weekend 1975 to participate in the Matai Invitation Tournament. Games are played at the Westport Community Hall. Footage covers players travelling to the West Coast via cars, with a few stops on the way, and a compulsory stop at the pub!



















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!






1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Good old fashioned fun at the Christchurch Deaf Society’s picnic
Footage of the 1991 Christchurch Deaf Society's picnic day held at Spencer Park. On a progressively windy day the local Deaf community gathered to enjoy traditional Deaf community games including tug-of-war, egg throwing, welly throwing, and some less common games such as a dress-up relay.






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.


1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball: Farewell & Awards party
A farewell party and awards evening is hosted by the Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball Club, with awards and prizes given out by Peter Downie.



















2017
article – Taonga source: The Press.
Deaf community was home for Margaret Coutts
An obituary on Margaret Coutts who was "the mother of deaf sports", an active leader and strong positive role-model to younger members of the Deaf community. She was the first female president of the Christchurch Deaf Club, and was awarded a NZ Commemoration Medal for her contributions in 1990.


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.


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.



















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




1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Diamond Harbour 1979
The Christchurch Deaf Club members have a picnic at Diamond Harbour, with traditional sports and activities.







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.



















1977
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Canterbury Annual Deaf Picnic 1977
Members of the Canterbury Deaf community make for a picnic on a lovely day, with tug-o-war and running races.







1985
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Amberley: Summer 1985
Christchurch Deaf Club hosted its annual picnic at Amberley, north of Christchurch. As usual, there are games aplenty, with the Amberley swimming pool a perfect location to cool off.



















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.



















1977
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
‘Deaf boys’ picnic at Spencer Park
Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball ‘Deaf Boys’ Picnic at Spencer Park, Sunday 13th March 1977.





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.



















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!





1976
Object – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Pennant: Christchurch Deaf Indoor Basketball Club
























