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2008
video – Taonga source: Brent Macpherson

My Second Home: Auckland Deaf Society

A 43-minute documentary taking you through the history of Auckland Deaf Society, the second home of the Deaf community of Auckland.
Brent Macpherson
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Hunt
1979
article – Taonga source: The Press

Veteran journalist dies, 79

Veteran newspaperman Geoffrey Webster died today at 79. He recently had major surgery. About 25 years ago, in association with Mr D.Nathan and two others, he founded the Friends of the Deaf Inc, which today has property in Balmoral Rd, and assets worth more than $2 million.
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1962

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
1969
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star

They’re shut out-lonely and deaf

Trevor Fear, Auckland's newly-appointed deaf welfare officer talks about his experiences, the deaf community and their needs.
1975
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

The Auckland Deaf Centre

A glimpse into the Auckland Deaf Centre, showing Deaf people playing pool, badminton, reading, having coffee and talking in sign language.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Michelle Kruger
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Laying foundations at Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre

A group of Deaf men busily work on laying the foundations for the new Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, later to become the property of the Auckland Deaf Society.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

The Silent Olympics

The team of 17 deaf athletes are farewelled at Kelston School for the Deaf, with official team photos, before leaving for the 10th International Games for the Deaf at Washington D.C.
Pam Witko
1961
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team for deaf games backed

The Auckland Deaf Society has reversed a previous decision and decided to support the team being sent to the Olympic Games for deaf people in Helsinki in August by the Wellington Deaf Sports Club.
Auckland Deaf Society
biography
Profile

Stewart ‘Sen’ Smith (Coronation Medal)

Stewart, or Sen, as he was called – was the president of Auckland Adult Deaf Society from 1947-1954. It was later called the Auckland Deaf Society. The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Cecilia Waitohi
1956
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington

‘Brighten Their Silent World’ float at Auckland Carnival

The Birthday Carnival held annually at Western Springs were a lucrative way of raising money in the early fifties. The Auckland Deaf Society via the Friends of the Deaf were raising funds for a new hall building.
Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
1966-67
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1966-67 (Vol. 4, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1984
article – Taonga source: Southern News

Helping deaf to communicate

There is still much lack of understanding among the general public about the needs of deaf people, says Pat Dugdale, field officer in Wellington for the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
1973
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Bringing Beauty to the Deaf

Make-up sessions for deaf women were set up, teaching how to use glossers, glissers, eyeliners, shaders, blushers and highlights.
Auckland Deaf Society
Mid 1980s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. (ADS)

Auckland Deaf Society
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pocket Patch: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Auckland Easter Show 1958

Fascinating footage from the Auckland Easter show 1958, including brief footage of Deaf visitors to the show.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre building progress

The building of the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, followed by footage of the Balmoral Bowling Club, and the newly opened Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
1984
article – Taonga source: Contact

Deaf friends

Deaf people in the Wellington region now have a new organisation, Friends of the Deaf, an umbrella group for all the deaf organisations in the area.
1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap

On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1966 (Vol. 4, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
1958
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Carnival: Friends of the Deaf stall, 1958

The Friends of the Deaf group man a fundraising stall at the Auckland Carnival in Western Springs, Auckland in January 1958.
Auckland Deaf Society
1956
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Auckland Carnival 1956

Friends of the Deaf prepare a float for the Auckland Carnival, 1956, along with some footage of the float parade.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1984
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

New support group for deaf

The first meeting of the Friends of the Deaf follows a year's work by a steering committee which has laid the groundwork for the future. The meeting will be addressed by Marianne Ahlgren.
Wellington Deaf Society
1954
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Balmoral Working Bee

Deaf members of the Auckland Adult Deaf Society clear the Balmoral Road property before construction of the main hall.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1962

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Winter 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1937
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Auckland Deaf Society

Established in 1937, Auckland Deaf Society (ADS) is New Zealand’s largest (and second oldest) Deaf Club. Previously called the 'Auckland Adult Deaf Society' and the 'Deaf Welfare Centre', the club’s original home was at an old shop on 47 Parnell Road in Auckland, before moving to 164 Balmoral Road with enormous support from the 'Friends of the Deaf'. Auckland Deaf Society is now located at 16 Hillsborough Road.