Mardi Gras celebrations

2006 •

Auckland Deaf Society, about to close for a total building redevelopment, hosts a final social event: a Mardi Gras at the Deaf Club.

The Auckland Deaf Society holds its last big social event before it closes to undergo a complete rebuild of its offices and social club. The Deaf Club is packed with members celebrating Mardi Gras, full of costumes, performances, speeches and farewells to the clubrooms that hold decades worth of memories for its members and their families.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: John Schischka

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

John Schischka reflects on the history of Auckland Deaf Society's hall on Balmoral Road, once primarily used for indoor bowls and even rented out to hearing groups. Back in the day, smoking indoors was common, and the hall was often filled with a haze of smoke! 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 sought ways to make better use of it, eventually leasing it out as an indoor sports centre. Indoor netball became popular among Deaf members, who would play on Friday nights before heading upstairs to enjoy the Club night.