2024
Our current President, Ashley Bensley
2022
DSC’s 100th Anniversary
DSC’s 100th Anniversary was 9th – 10th September 2022 at Deaf Club, then on 10th September, a big celebration night was held at Riccarton Racecourse with 198 community members from Canterbury and all over NZ attending.
2022
11th September Plague unveiling at Armagh Deaf Club
2020
Craig Findsen was President for 4 years from 2020 - 2024
2015
New Deaf Society of Canterbury Inc logo
A new logo was designed to celebrate the new Deaf Clubrooms and a new phase in our long history.
2015
The new Deaf Club building opened on 7 June 2015
2014
New Clubrooms purchased on 80 Fitzgerald Avenue in Christchurch city
Building renovated to suit our needs.
2013
After the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake our building was deemed uneconomic to repair
The building was demolished in 2013.
2012
DSC’s 90th Anniversary
DSC’s 90th Anniversary was held over the weekend of 28th –29th September 2012 at Addington Events Centre with 194 community members from Canterbury and all over NZ attending.
2011
Christchurch Earthquake
The Christchurch Earthquake, 22 February 2011 significantly damaged our building on Armagh Street. No-one was hurt in the Club.
2010
Darfield Earthquake in September
The 2010 Darfield Earthquake in September caused little damage to the Clubrooms and we were able to return after a building assessment.
2007
85th Anniversary held at Armagh Street Clubrooms
2006
Greg Pateman was President for 14 years from 2006 - 2020
2006
New Zealand Sign Language Act was passed in Parliament
April 2006, the New Zealand Sign Language Act was passed in Parliament making NZSL one of the three official languages of New Zealand
2001
Thomas Still was President of Deaf Society four times
From 1974 to 1975, for one year in 1994, from 1996 – 1999 and 2001 – 2006. Thomas passed away in 2023.
1999
Ann Croy became President for two years from 1999- 2001
1997
Christchurch Deaf Society Inc. officially changed its name to Deaf Society of Canterbury Inc. in October 1997
1995
Rodney Henwood was President for one year from 1995
1989
Christchurch hosted the World Games for the Deaf (now known as Deaflympics)
This event was a huge milestone for Christchurch as it was the first time the event was hosted in the Southern Hemisphere. About 111 NZ athletes competed.
1988
Dennis Tod was President for 5 years to 1993
Dennis passed away in 2020.
1987
Polly (Paremata) Fechney was President for one year
She passed away in 1995.
1982
Richard Townshend was President for 2 years from 1982 – 1983
1981
Leslie Fechney was President for one year in 1981
Leslie passed away in 2009.
1978
David Chilwell was President from 1978 – 1980
1976
Kenneth Williams was President for one year from 1976
Kenneth passed away in 2013.
1973
Norman Hahn was President for one year
Norman passed away in 2005.
1972
Deaf Club’s Golden Jubilee was celebrated in June 1972
Membership of the Club was 128.
1971
Vernon Pope became President from 1971 to 1972, 1956 - 1957 and from 1962 – 1966
Vernon is a Life Member of DSC.
1970
Jane Kinnear
Jane Kinnear (nee Kerr), wife of our founder John Kinnear passed away in March 1970.
1970
David Sinclair was President for one year
David passed away in September 2004.
1967
Margaret Coutts became our first female President
Margaret was also recognised by The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for her work in Deaf Sports. Margaret passed away in 2017.
1965
Mr G.D. Griffiths MBE
Mr G.D. Griffiths MBE was the architect of the Armagh Street Clubrooms and attended all the Friends of the Deaf meetings. He was made honorary Vice President of the Deaf Society for his generosity and support. He refused to accept payment for his work on the Clubrooms.
1965
Clubrooms opened on October 23rd at 232a Armagh Street
Our first Deaf owned building. Mr G. D. Griffiths officially opened the building and Jane Kinnear unveiled the plaque.
1963
Golden Kiwi Lottery
The project received a generous subsidy from NZ Government’s "Golden Kiwi Lottery" towards building costs.
1960
First Deaf owned building at 232a Armagh Street
Deaf Club decided to that a section in the city was more convenient for members and purchased land at 232a Armagh Street for £8,200. This was let out for parking and managed by Deaf members until building work started adding considerably to the building fund.
1959
A special committee called "Friends of the Deaf" made up of mostly hearing supporters was set up
This was chaired by the then Mayor of Christchurch Mr. George Manning and its purpose was to plan and fundraise for a Deaf owned building. Three street appeals were held in the late 50’s and early 60’s which helped to raise awareness of the Deaf community.
1958
Wrey Jury became President in 1958 until 1961
He left a legacy for the Deaf Club on his death in 2003. There is a street named after him in Dallington, Christchurch called Wrey Jury Lane.
1956
Fitzgerald Avenue
A half-acre section was bought on Fitzgerald Avenue (close to Bealey Avenue) for £3,000. Members grew potatoes and sold them for the building fund.
1955
John Kinnear passed away in April 1955
1952
The Club celebrated it’s 30th Anniversary
With membership increasing and the difficulties of renting a suitable room, members decided to fundraise for their own premises.
1952
Christchurch Deaf Society became an incorporated society in 1952
1952
Malcolm Ward became President from 1952 until 1955 and 1984 to 1986
Malcolm passed away in 1992.
1950
Fairbrother Shield
Auckland joined Christchurch and Wellington to compete for the Fairbrother Shield which later became the Labour Weekend Deaf Games. (Photo for illustration only)
1948
Helen Keller - Deafblind author and advocate
Helen Keller visited Christchurch and van Asch Deaf Education Centre and met Noeline Still, one of DSC’s Life Members and Lilian Henwood, DSC member. Noeline and Lilian were students at van Asch.
1947
Christchurch Deaf Club’s 25th Anniversary
By the Club’s Silver Jubilee membership had grown to 50.
1946
Fairbrother Shield
The origins of Labour Weekend Games began in Christchurch with the competition for the Fairbrother Shield; the shield was made from an aeroplane propeller from World War II. For five years the competition just involved Christchurch and Wellington.
1945
Trades and Labour Hall building on Gloucester Street
A meeting room was rented in the Trades and Labour Hall building on Gloucester Street until 1964 except for a brief period in 1947 when lady members met at the Temperance Hall and men at the Pioneer Sports Club.
1940
Manchester Street
The Club decided to lease its own rooms on the 1st floor of a building on Manchester Street. The club was open on Friday afternoons and Friday and Saturday evenings. Lady members would do their shopping on a Friday and then have afternoon tea in the Clubrooms. After 5 years of use the lease expired due to new owners.
1938
Tisdall’s building on Cashel Street
The gymnasium used for a meeting place moved a bigger space in Tisdall’s building on Cashel Street. This gave the group more scope for games and ping-pong competitions were held with trophies for the winners. Card games were also popular.
1937
Christchurch Deaf Club’s 15th Anniversary
1936
Armagh Street
Membership began to increase and the Kinnear’s house became unsuitable as a meeting place. In 1936 the Club was offered use of a gymnasium in a lane off Armagh Street on Saturdays evenings.
1922
First president John Kinnear
John Kinnear was President of Christchurch Deaf Club from its start until 1951, almost 30 years. He is our longest serving President. John was born in Dunedin and had Deaf siblings.
1922
Christchurch Deaf Club
Christchurch Deaf Club, as we were known, was set up on 26th April, 1922 by John Kinnear making us the oldest Deaf Club in New Zealand. Members met at John and his wife Jane’s house in North Parade, Richmond, Christchurch.