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2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of Verna McRae

Verna McRae is filmed at her home in Napier alongside her husband, John. Verna talks entertainingly about her life growing up on a Manawatu farm, going to Sumner School for the Deaf, work, travelling, and married life.
Hilda Tamepo
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

DEAF GAMES

New Zealand won its first gold medal at the World Games for the Deaf in California yesterday when cyclist John Ooteman (Fielding) won the 35km time trial in 51m 10s. Also includes results from the New Zealand team.
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
1965
article – Taonga source: The Daily Telegraph

Home – 10-Gallon Hats and All

The New Zealand indoor basketball team at the Deaf Olympics in Washington recently did not win a game. Yet to Napier's Forman brothers, Mervyn and Ray, the experience was one never to be forgotten.
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Ray and Polly Forman

Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
  • Ruth Jessep
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: December 1991

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves

We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1985
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Pennant: Central Districts Deaf Sports, Wellington 1985

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Ruth Jessep
2000
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Framed Civic Award in recognition of voluntary service to Napier: Ray Forman

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Est. 1964
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

It all began on the 21st of March 1964. A group of deaf adults from Napier and Hastings got together to form the Hawkes Bay Deaf Club. Soon after, others from as far away as Wairoa and Waipukurau soon joined in as well. There were over 20 members in 1964.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Napier 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Susie Ovens
1991
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Framed Photo: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club Opening, 16 November 1996

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representatives, 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
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.
biography
Profile

Jennifer Brain (QSM)

Jennifer received the Queens Service Medal in 2007 for services to the New Zealand Deaf Community. She was well known for her leadership with the New Zealand Association for the Deaf. Jennifer became the first Deaf Leadership Tutor promoting community and Deaf youth leadership, before becoming the first Deaf Chief Executive Officer in 1999. Through her work, Jennifer was ahead of her time with the strategic planning of many Deaf community projects including Deaf awareness and Deaf leadership.
1995
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Howell (Forman)

Memories of Doreen Howell, a life member of Wellington Deaf Society, was recorded on 9 July 1995 at Pam and Kaz Witko's place.
Pam Witko
1982
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Coping in a hearing world

Rachel Noble and Donna Allen, both 17 and profoundly deaf, talk about their experiences in education.
Wellington Deaf Society
1991
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

NZSL Tutors attend an intensive City Lit Training course in London

In the history of NZSL teaching, perhaps the most important development was when 8 NZSL tutors attended a two-week intensive teaching course in London in 1991. Watch this condensed version (taking from almost 29 hours of footage!) to get a sense of what the training was like.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2001
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Framed Award of Recognition: 45 Years of Volunteer Service – Polly Forman

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
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.
1990
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Coming Together: A video history of Wellington Deaf Society

A documentary about Wellington Deaf Society created after the 50th anniversary of WDS back in 1988. It includes historic shots of the old WDS at 280 Willis Street, Te Aro, as well as interviews with some of its members.
Wellington Deaf Society
2001
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation

Soundscape: February 2001

Oticon Foundation
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Julie Bullivant

Julie Bullivant tells her story about what it was like growing up deaf and attending van Asch, a deaf boarding school.
AUT Visual Languages Section
2000
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation

Soundscape: November 2000

Oticon Foundation
2001
article – Taonga source: The Napier Mail

Terror in the quiet

Napier Deaf brother and sisters – Doreen Howell and Ray Forman – talk about their experiences in the 1931 earthquake.
2017
article – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Today

Stories of Hawke’s Bay’s deaf school heard

Among the schooling communities in Hawke's Bay perhaps one of the most unique is the deaf community; many of whom were taught at Napier's Onekawa Deaf Unit. Their stories, heard over the past two years by resource teacher of the deaf Juliet Clarke, have now been compiled into a one-of-a-kind book 'Hearing Aid Bras and Other Stories 1969-2014.'
Hawkes Bay Today
2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Forman

Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.
Pam Witko
2017
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: 4th National Deaf Youth Camp

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Keethan Sundar
1965-66
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1965-66 (Vol. 3, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt