History through Young Eyes: Interview with Owen Gibbons

2015
  • People
Former Auckland Deaf Society President and life member, Owen Gibbons says that one of his best memories was travelling to the World Deaf Games as part of the New Zealand Deaf basketball mens team. His eyes “literally popped out at what he saw over there!”
HomeVideosHistory through Young Eyes: Interview with Owen Gibbons

A Tu Kokiri student, Christine George, interview former Auckland Deaf Society President and life member, Owen Gibbons. He says that one of his best memories was travelling to the World Deaf Games as part of the New Zealand Deaf basketball mens team. His eyes “literally popped out at what he saw over there!” Owen recalls good times at the hall at the back of the clubroom which was fantastic for sports, going on to explain how the Balmoral Auckland Deaf Society building was set-up. As the then-President, Owen spoke at the opening of the Balmoral building.

The ‘History Through Young Eyes’ project was by Tu Kokiri Deaf students made with funding from the Albert-Eden Local Board, in collaboration with Auckland Deaf Society, utilising footage from SignDNA.

Owen was President of Auckland Deaf Society from 1958 to 1959 and 1997 to 1999. He was also a life member of Auckland Deaf Society. He passed away on 9 May 2019 – 90 years old.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Vice-Captain on Court: John’s ADS Basketball Days

John recalls playing for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team, where he served as vice-captain. Their light blue singlets with white ADS letters and player numbers were handmade by Valerie Eaton, wife of Jim Eaton (team coach). The team played in the Mt Albert A league and pulled off a surprise win. They trained regularly on Thursday nights at the Club's Balmoral hall.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Big Ears: The Story Behind the Auckland Elephant Mascot

John was the masseur for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team at the 1977 Labour Weekend tournament in Wellington. That year, Auckland won the Cunniffe Cup in a close match against Christchurch, 66 to 59. The team’s mascot was an elephant, a symbol of Deaf pride with its big ears and a long nose for shooting hoops. John remembers a tough game with constant injuries that kept him busy on the sidelines. He says Deep Heat saved the day!
Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Produced by:
Tu Kokiri students
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS51-01-LS15
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.