Suzanne “Susie” Ovens, a 12-year-old Deaf girl, participates in ‘Star Zone’ showcasing her miming and theatre skills. Susie wins the New Zealand grand prize and a trip to Melbourne, Australia to participate in another show. At the time of her victory there were no communicators or NZSL interpreters, leaving Susie to figure out at the end of the show whether she had won!
Whilst in Melbourne, Susie did some performances which screened on Network Ten, sign-singing with their young talent group. Susie recalls there were about 12 or more of them singing and standing around her while she signed. If anyone has any copy of the Network Ten screening, please get in touch with SignDNA!
The New Zealand ‘Star Zone’ show was filmed at the TV2 Studio on Shortland Street in Auckland City. TV2 was the second national government television channel to be established in the country, first going to air on 30 June 1975. Television One went to air on 1 April, replacing the former New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation’s TV service.
