Waikato Deaf Society Inc History

New Zealand had a legislative law for the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. here is the link: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1908/0212/latest/whole.html#DLM175790

In 2022, the New Zealand Government made significant updates to the legislative law for the Incorporated Societies Act. These changes, which are of utmost importance for societies in New Zealand, can be found in the latest version of the law here: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2022/0012/latest/LMS100809.html. These updates are not just crucial, but they empower us to navigate the legal landscape effectively and ensure the smooth operation of society.

Our online Incorporated Societies Register is an invaluable resource that provides critical historical records. According to the register, our society was incorporated on December 1, 1992, and its status ended on June 17, 2004. These milestones mark significant chapters in our society’s history, connecting us to our rich legacy and instilling a sense of pride in our collective journey.

Life Membership took place in 1970; two people obtained the Life Membership certificates from Cyril Allen during the Christmas Party in Hamilton. Jessie Hughes, for her service as the secretary and the founder of the Waikato Deaf Society Inc., from 1956 and Owen McCorkindale, for his service as the president of the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. 1972, another article was mentioned in the Deaf News Book: Owen McCorkindale served fourteen years as an elected President, and Noela McCorkindale served sixteen years as an elected Treasurer of the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. Their contributions have been shown Deaf members, families and the community about the Waikato Deaf Society maintain to active and increase the number of new Deaf members over many years.

I compiled the names of members who served as president, secretary, treasurer, committee member, sports captain, and delegates in the chart. The problem was several names or records not listed in the Deaf News Book, which I have here and online—Sign DNA. I am unable to obtain the records from 1956 to 1992 of the Incorporated Society archives. I know the late Leslie Wood obtained the documents, but I was unsure what years he had before giving them to someone. I am not interested in the financial and audit records. I need to look at the records of the members of the society board and how many years any of the members ran—to the surviving longest-serving members from 1956, having reduced to three (long serving members from 1956) and fifteen in NZ and four in Australia between the 1960s and 1977. There was a possibility that a few more ex-deaf members moved away from the Deaf community and became unaccountable where there was no more contact.

The members of the Board organised many fundraisers, including selling wooden toys made by the late ‘Gordy’ Gordon Wood, farm labour at the parents’ farm, cake stalls, and many others in the old days. These fundraisers were not just about raising funds, but they were also about fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility among our members. They are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our members.

Between 1995 and 1999 (and 2004), the number of Deaf members declined for various reasons, such as moving away to another city like Auckland, the need for family time with children and their activities, living far away from Hamilton, farming roles, work hours, and losing interest in Waikato Deaf Society Inc. I was a delegate for the NZDA (New Zealand Deaf Association-Waikato Branch) for four years from 1997 to 2000. I noticed the number of members was small, and they (Waikato Deaf Society Inc.) tried hard to attract more young Deaf people. It could have been more successful.

I understand that closing down the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. was the hardest decision after the meeting, and I was not there as I was overseas for three months. The last audit of the financials was handed over to the lawyer via the NZ Incorporated Register in Wellington in 1999. Then, Waikato Deaf Society Inc. dissolved (ended actively involved) in 2004, which signed off and closed the Incorporated Society at the NZ Registry office in Wellington. I was overseas for another three months in 2004, unaware that the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. had dissolved until I caught up with three Deaf seniors again. They told me what happened, but I needed a clear understanding of what happened and why the Board and the members decided to dissolve the Waikato Deaf Society Inc., for the book and the website I am writing about the history of the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. Your involvement and understanding in this matter are crucial for our collective knowledge.

Note that the Waikato Deaf Club was void (no) of activity from 2004 to approximately 2020. I was told that there was one last reunion at the Ferrybank, Hamilton in 2001 (45th Anniversary) but I do not have the record or photo.

Today, any Deaf people of Waikato who wish to restart the new Waikato Deaf Society will have to re-apply for the applicant form from the Registry Office in Wellington and pay the cost. They can use the same or a different name from today’s society. They must follow the new legislative law for the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. They will need to make an official notice to the public after the applicant with signatures, a lawyer and the payment is approved.