
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.

1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: February 1984
NZSL Stories


1983
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Sign Language Puts The Deaf in Tune
The Deaf Sign Singers have a busy schedule this year with performances throughout the North Island.
NZSL Stories


1985
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Easter 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 1)




NZSL Stories


1981
article – Taonga source: Central Leader
Deaf singers in song
For the last 15 months, the Independent Theatre of the Deaf has performed in venues all over Auckland as the Deaf Sign Singers.
NZSL Stories


1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 4)
NZSL Stories


1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Mime put to use
Susie Ovens, born 97% deaf, uses mime as one of the many methods to relate to the hearing world. She is also a member of the âDeaf Sign Singersâ, a group of 11 deaf people who perform sign language to music.
NZSL Stories


1990
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Welcome 1990 Haere Mai!
The Auckland Sign Singers were invited to perform with others in a three-hour entertainment special to celebrate 1990 which was broadcast live from Bastion Point on TV One at 7.30pm.










1985
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Telethon 1985
The Sign Singers perform âYouâre My Sunshineâ at the 1985 Telethon.








NZSL Stories


1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Singing and signing
The price in being part of the 600-strong Commonwealth Games opening ceremony choir as they use sign language to sing is evident.


1988
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
They’re naturals for the part
A production this month of the play Children of a Lesser God in Auckland will feature two deaf actors, Bryan Williams and Sheila Gibbons. And the starring role will be played, for the second time, by Gloss actress Miranda Harcourt.
NZSL Stories


1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992


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


1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 3)






1984
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform on the ‘In South Tonight’ programme â Dunedin 1984
The Sign Singers tour the South Island for Deaf Awareness in 1984, and are invited to perform on âIn South Tonightâ while in Dunedin.








NZSL Stories


1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: July 1983
NZSL Stories


1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: June 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 2)
NZSL Stories


1990-91
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring/Summer 1990/91 (Vol. 24. No. 2)
NZSL Stories


1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers at Telethon 1981
The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.








NZSL Stories






1970s onwards
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Telethons
Telethons were run nationwide in New Zealand in 1975-79, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-91, 1993 and 2009. The 24-hour fundraiser would take place in regions around New Zealand and was broadcast on TV. Viewers would be shown coverage of the telethon nearest to their location. Smaller regions would typically see coverage of the telethon in one of the main centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin), and it was in those areas where Deaf people were invited to participate.


1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1989 (Vol. 23, No. 3)
NZSL Stories


1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Harmony’
The Sign Singers perform 'Harmony' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983. They are introduced in sign language, in one of the first examples of a non-Deaf person signing on prime time television.








NZSL Stories


1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)
NZSL Stories


1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform Silent Night
The Sign Singers perform the famous carol 'Silent Night' for the Stars on Sunday programme.








NZSL Stories


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


1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)
NZSL Stories


1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: January 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 1)
NZSL Stories


2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Susie Ovens
A Tu Kokiri student interviews Susie Ovens on her involvement with the infamous Deaf Sign Singers group.


NZSL Stories


1984
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform at Dunedin Deaf Club
The Sign Singers perform at the Dunedin Deaf Club in front of Deaf members and their friends.








NZSL Stories


1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: March 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 1)















