Sign Singers: ‘Sailing’

1982 •

The Sign Singers perform the hit song 'Sailing' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in May 1982. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.”

The Sign Singers feature on Stars on Sunday, performing ‘Sailing’. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.” Filmed on March 3, 1982 at Highwic, Newmarket, Auckland. Four songs were filmed that day at the same time, ‘Oh What a Beautiful Day’, ‘Harmony’, ‘Born Free’ and ‘Sailing’. This song screened on Stars on Sunday, TVNZ on May 9 1982. It was also repeated a year later on October 9, 1983.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Switching Between Modes: Total Communication on Stage, NZSL Off

Susie Ovens shares her memories of the well-known Deaf Sign Singers group founded by Dulcie McKie, which used a Total Communication approach. She knew it wasn’t natural signing, and the group would often relax and switch to NZSL during breaks. Still, Susie recalls the performances having a strong impact, especially on hearing audiences who were moved by the group's energy and visual expressions.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

Shona McGhie and the Magic of the Auckland Sign Singers

Shona McGhie reflects on her time with the Auckland Sign Singers, a group that helped raise awareness of Deaf culture and showed what Deaf performers could do. Rehearsals were often held at Dulcie McKie’s home, with support from Mac McKie and Gavin Gibbons. Shona recalls her favourite song and the challenge of remembering over 25 routines. It was a busy time full of travel, performance, and connection, and a chapter she looks back on fondly.

Des Powell

Dulcie McKie

Edith Tabrar

Gavin Gibbons

Len Tabrar

Lesley Schischka (Wratt)

Lesley Schischka (Wratt)

Sheila Gibbons (Claridge)

Sheila Gibbons (Claridge)

Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Taonga source:

Dulcie McKie

Produced by:

Stars on Sunday, Television New Zealand

Original format:

VHS

Sponsored by:

Liz Grant

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DM04-03-SP82

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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