Posted in Deaf Community News

- By Bruce Shaw, President Sydney Stars Deaf Tenpin Bowling Club

From 17th to 21st April, 2014, the Sydney Stars Deaf Tenpin Bowling Club will be hosting the National Deaf Tenpin Bowling Championships at Blacktown in Sydney, NSW.

The National Deaf Tenpin Bowling Championships are played every Easter in a different location all over Australia. They are hosted by different States every year except for any dates which fall on the ‘0’ or ‘5’ year anniversary. They are decided by the Board. 

This year will be the 32nd year that the National Deaf Tenpin Bowling Association has been running.

This year is very special because we have invited Argentina to join us. There will be 8 deaf bowlers from Argentina plus one fan, 12 deaf bowlers from New Zealand and 1 from USA. The first time ever we have had 3 different overseas countries compete.

Every 2nd year we hold the Tasman Cup Tournament between Australia and New Zealand. This year it will be held in Australia. In 2012 it was held in Dunedin, New Zealand and Australia brought the trophy home.

This coming Tournament there will be a Tri Nation event which will be held on 21st April between Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. This will be a one off event. Teams will consist of 6 men and 6 women from each country, a total of 36 bowlers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank NABS for their kind sponsorship which is a beautiful trophy for the 1st place team for the Tri Nations event.

We wish everyone all the best in the National Deaf Tenpin Bowling Championships, 2014.

- By Simon Mahony, ADRU7 President

Australia Deaf Rugby Union Sevens’ 1st National Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship 2014 was held on Saturday 1st March 2014 in Granville Park (Parramatta Rugby Union Club), Sydney NSW.

This event of Deaf rugby sevens tournament was another successful event since the Deaf rugby sevens tournament at the Australian Deaf Games in Geelong 2012.

There were three state Deaf rugby sevens teams, total of 28 participants, who played in the rugby seven tournament.

We began with ARU’s Smart Rugby course, two hours of rules and safety instructions in the morning before the Deaf rugby sevens tournament started.

There were 35 Deaf participants who attended the Smart Rugby session. The Smart Rugby course is evidence for the ARU, Deaf and rugby communities that this course was worthwhile, because the Deaf rugby sevens rugby tournament was a magnificent and smooth game even after the rules and safety instructions were taught.

The Deaf rugby sevens players included new faces of Deaf players who love how the rugby games went, even in the extreme wet weather and we all were soaked.

The Deaf rugby players, officials and spectators thought the experiences were worthwhile because they are developing not only the rugby culture but also the Deaf identity, community and culture. It was pleasing to see many new faces helping the growth in the number of participants.

Good news - ADRU7’s board members have decided to bring forward our 2nd National Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship from March 2015 to Saturday 4th October 2014 in Brisbane QLD. We are confident that it is a more appropriate date to bring our Deaf and rugby communities together to reinforce our important role at the grassroots level in Deaf rugby.

Winning team - VIC Deaf Rebels

Runner-Up team – NSW Deaftahs

Third placing – QLD Redeafs

The 8th National Deafness Sector Summit will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 3-4, 2014.

The Summit will focus on workplace issues affecting people who are hearing impaired, have an ear disorder or are Deaf.

Topics include: My Rights At Work, Libby Harricks Memorial Oration, Using Education to Get to Work, and Career Development.

For registration costs and further information, visit the Deafness Forum website HERE.

Eligible members of the Deaf and hearing impaired community now have access to low cost deaf-friendly smoke alarm systems under a new subsidy scheme.

Funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, the scheme is being administered by Deaf Services Queensland.

Under the scheme, eligible deaf and hearing impaired people will pay just $50 for the system, which includes a flashing strobe light and vibration pad.

The rest of the cost is covered by the funding that Deaf Services Queensland receives from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.

Deaf or hearing impaired people who have a current Pensioner Concession Card and are a resident of Queensland are eligible to apply for the scheme.

People wishing to access the subsidy can find out more information on the Deaf Services Queensland website.

For more information, contact Deaf Services Queensland at:
Phone: (07) 3892 8500
Fax: (07) 3392 8511
TTY: (07) 3892 8501
Email: smokealarms@deafsq.org.au

NABS Interpreter Naomi Kishtoo helped interpret at the 2013 Northern Territory Disability Services Awards held in Darwin late last year.

The Awards were attended by more than 120 guests, and recognised the businesses and individuals making a difference in the lives of people with a disability.

Richard 'Margo' Margetson from ABC Radio (pictured left with Naomi Kishtoo) presented as Master of Ceremonies.

Rachel Kroes won the Disability Sector Employees Award (Non-Government) and well as the 2013 Employee of the Year Award.

The awards recognised her innovative approach to supporting people with Down Syndrome and intellectual disability.

Other 2013 winners included:

• Michelle Kragt, Disability Sector Employees Award (Government)
• Diane Krepp, Remote Disability Sector Employees Award (Government and Non-Government)
• David Sheasby, Operational Support Disability Sector Employees Award (Government and Non-Government)
• Bromeliad Bed and Breakfast, Mainstream Business Award (Non-Government)
• Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, Mainstream Business Award (Government)