biography
Profile
Mary Johnson (MNZM)
Mary has contributed to the Deaf community as a hardworking and willing volunteer for over 50 years. She was recognised in the 2010 New Years Honours list when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). She was a founding member of the Otago Deaf Society, where she served as president, and was also a founding member of the Manawatu Deaf Club.
1955
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sports Convention picnic at Motukarara, 1955
During the 1955 Sports Convention hosted in Christchurch, a picnic is held at Motukarara, by Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury.
NZSL Stories
1951
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Travelling to Wellington for NZ Deaf Sports Convention, 1951
A group of Auckland Deaf travel to and from Wellington for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention during Labour Weekend, 1951.
NZSL Stories
1988
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Easter 1988 (Vol. 10, No. 4)
2012
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2012 (Vol. 34, No. 3)
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1972 (Vol. 9, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1992
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.
1987
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: June 1987 (Vol. 10, No. 1)
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
2002
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Auckland Schools for Deaf: 60th Reunion
Weekend celebrations are kickstarted with a Māori Deaf kapa haka group to perform a haka powhiri. Vintage teachers such as Les Bury briefly summarise their experiences of working in Deaf education over the years.
1992
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
Jubilee Ball: Celebrating 50 Years of Deaf Schools in Auckland
Nearly 500 alumni and members of the Deaf community, well presented with dinner suits, bow ties, evening gowns, hairdos and the works enjoy an evening at the Avondale Racecourse.
NZSL Stories
1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain
During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.
NZSL Stories
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1962
1984
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Auckland Schools for Deaf: 45th Reunion
Brief footage of the crowd at Kelston for its 45th reunion. The Auckland weather holds up for the outdoor festivities!
NZSL Stories
2015
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2015 (Vol. 37, No. 4)
1989
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Last Reunion on St Dominic’s Feilding Grounds
The four-day festivities at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf during New Year’s 1989/1990 were a weekend full of activities! It was the last such event on the St Dominic’s Feilding grounds with a deaf unit set-up at St Joseph’s School in Feilding in May 1989.
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 1991
NZSL Stories
1955
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand
National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – 75th Jubilee
The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to report on progress in the education of deaf children and to check out the school's 75th Jubilee celebrations.
1987
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: September 1987 (Vol. 10, No. 2)
2006
article – Taonga source: NZ Catholic
Deaf community gathers to honour teacher and friend
The deaf community of the lower North Island gathered in Palmerston North on the last weekend of September to honour a teacher and chaplain, mentor and friend who has worked with the deaf since 1972.
2016
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Pen: Indoor Bowls New Zealand, 25th Jubilee
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: February 1984
NZSL Stories
1962
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star
Seven to make debut at ball for the deaf
Seven young girls will make their debut at a ball to be held by the Auckland Deaf Society; they will dance the debutante walz without hearing the music.
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.
1989-90
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
St Dominic’s 45th Jubilee
There are many speeches from past pupils and staff recalling their time at St Dominic’s. The casually filmed footage covers part of the four-day 45th reunion at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with many speeches from past pupils and staff recalling their time at St Dominic’s.
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee
The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!
2000
video – Taonga source: Shona McGhie
ADS Basketball Club 50th Jubilee
The Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club celebrate their ‘Golden’ Anniversary, their 50th anniversary, at the ADS Balmoral clubrooms where people share their memories of being involved in the basketball club.
NZSL Stories
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1972 (Vol. 9, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
75th Jubilee Memorial Shield: Tug-of-War between New Zealand Deaf Societies
NZSL Stories