Auckland Deaf Society Inc

Auckland Deaf Society (Inc) was founded in 1937 by Murray Williams at an old shop located at 47 Parnell Road, Auckland, following the idea of the Christchurch Deaf Club, which was formed in 1922.

47 Parnell Road, our first premises

The premises became too small for growing numbers of members. In 1938 the Club moved to the Auckland Motorcycle Club at 19 Greys Ave and remained there until 1940. The next move was to Patricia School of Dancing, Upper Symonds Street for a month, then to the Congregational Church Hall, Edinburgh Street, Newton and remained there until 1950. When they were given notice to quit the Congregational Church Hall, they moved to Community Sunshine Association in Nelson Street, City. They stayed there until 1958, when they moved to 164 Balmoral Road, where the present Club now stands.

In 1953 Friends of the Deaf was formed by Auckland Adult Deaf Society at a meeting held on 14th February 1953 to form a new Organisation involving hearing people who would raise funds for the new Clubrooms. A meeting was held at the Town Hall, Wednesday 4th March 1953 by John Oxspring, father of three Deaf children and the Mayor of Auckland - Sir John Allum. 'Friends of the Deaf' was formed.

The present premises were purchased in 1954. A lot of fundraising activities were done by Friends of the Deaf, members of A.D.S. and Ladies Group consisting of both hearing and Deaf. This group was formed by Gladys Jerome, a former Matron at Deaf Schools.

The Foundation stone was laid by Douglas M Rae, M.P. for Eden Electorate, on 15th April 1958. The Hall was officially opened on 6th December 1958 by Hon. W.T. Anderson, Minister of Internal Affairs. The present upstairs Clubrooms were opened. We, the present members of the A.D.S. owe our grateful thanks to the Foundation Members who formed the Deaf Club in 1937. They have all since passed to a better life.

We are also grateful to our Senior Members of the Auckland Deaf Society for all the hard work they have put into the Society. These people are truly pioneers in their times. They have rich memories of the good old days, as they fondly say, doing things like working bees, running fairs and bringing their hearing children along.