Auckland Deaf Society re-opens after 11 month rebuild

2007 •
  • Deaf Clubs
Footage and interviews from the opening night of the newly redeveloped Auckland Deaf Society clubrooms late August 2007.
HomeVideosAuckland Deaf Society re-opens after 11 month rebuild

Members of the Deaf Community attend Auckland Deaf Society for its first ‘Club Night’ on Friday 24 August 2007. The Deaf Club opened to its members with minimal furniture after an eleven month rebuild of its clubroom and office building. For many it was the first time they had seen the new building, but it quickly reaffirmed its place as the heart of the Auckland Deaf community. Original footage filmed by Dan Hanks. The new centre was officially opened by Minister for Disability Issues Hon. Ruth Dyson on 3 November 2007.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

A Night to Remember at Balmoral Hall

Kevin recalls how the Auckland Deaf Society’s Balmoral Hall was one of the largest venues in Auckland at the time. In 1970, it hosted the Halberg Awards. From the upstairs clubroom, Kevin remembers looking down at the formal dinner set-up with flash tables and decorations. That same evening, a protest took place outside in response to the invitation of a presenter from South Africa. Graffiti was sprayed on the Deaf Club’s exterior, and police were present at the scene.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Schischka

From Indoor Bowls to Indoor Netball: The Evolution of the Balmoral Hall

John Schischka reflects on the old Auckland Deaf Society hall on Balmoral Road. Originally used for indoor bowls and hired out to hearing groups, the Balmoral Road hall was often thick with cigarette smoke – a common sight back in the day. Later, the badminton and basketball clubs made use of the space, but as time went on, it became a bit of a ‘white elephant.’ The Board eventually leased it as an indoor sports centre, where indoor netball became popular. Deaf members would play on Friday nights, then head upstairs for Club night.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

The Rebuild of Auckland Deaf Society’s Balmoral Clubroom

Kevin talks about the rebuild of the Auckland Deaf Society building. The receptionist often received calls from people wanting to buy the property, but they were always given a firm no. A member survey was held, and the decision was made to go ahead with the rebuild. Angela Sew Hoy and Chris Blum oversaw the project. While the work was underway, Friday night gatherings were temporarily moved to the local Balmoral Bowling Club.
Caroline Gould (Scally)
Caroline Gould (Scally)
Hayden Teesdale
Hayden Teesdale
Janet Martin
Janet Martin
Janice Howard (Greenhalgh)
Janice Howard (Greenhalgh)
Kevin Pivac
Kevin Pivac
Lynette Pivac
Lynette Pivac
Nick Humby
Nick Humby
Pam Croskery (McCullough)
Pam Croskery (McCullough)
Roger Wyrill
Roger Wyrill
Victoria Lessing (Skorikova)
Victoria Lessing (Skorikova)

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Dan Hanks
Original format:
Hi-8
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DH02-01-CE07
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.

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