Monday, 16 March 2026
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

A warm welcome to everyone here tonight in the language of the traditional owners of the lands around here:

Bujari gamarruwa

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

I pay my respect to Gadigal Elders past, present, and emerging.

Minister^[1], members of the Down syndrome NSW family, distinguished guests all,

Dennis and I spend a lot, indeed, the majority of our time in and with the community. It is without doubt the most enjoyable aspect of this position. Naturally, each individual and each organisation we meet has its own unique value. 

In thinking about the unique value of those we are here to celebrate tonight, one word springs to mind – ‘exuberance’ – or perhaps more accurately two words: ‘sheer exuberance’.  The joy and sense of fun that the young and not-so-young members of the Down syndrome community bring to all of us is more precious than gold. 

World Down Syndrome Day, which we will celebrate on Saturday the 21st of the 3rd – representing the triplication^[2] of chromosome 21 – provides us with the opportunity to be reminded of the significant individual and community achievements of those with Down syndrome.  

That does not deny however that people with Down syndrome have specific needs which are greater and are often cumulative, than in most other sections of the community, facing challenges which include physical and cognitive developmental delays, increased risk of health conditions such as congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism, and problems with seeing and hearing.^[3] 

All these call for support throughout a person’s life. And as many in this room know, there was little support until your organisation was founded in 1980. As with so many groups of which I am Patron, that lack of support was met by the energy and vision of a determined group of parents, who stepped forward to advocate for, and support, their children and each other. ^[4] 

Since then, Down Syndrome NSW has grown to 2,900 members^[5], offering services, programs, and connection for people with Down syndrome across their lives^[6] – a phrase I particularly emphasise tonight, starting with the Congratulations Initiative^[7], which is in hospitals and homes from the day a child is born. 

There are then the initiatives in the school environment – again, you can note with pride the Regional Schools Program, introduced to support 92 schools across the state, including regional and remote areas.^[8] As one teacher from Wingham Public School said, and I quote: “Our heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable support you have provided to our school in meeting the educational needs of children with Down syndrome.”^[9] 

Adulthood and employment comes next, and later this year the Microbusiness Workshops are due to launch, offering two-day workshops to help develop small business skills.^[10]

And at a stage in life that we all hit, the Ageing Well Initiative is a specific program to help individuals, families, and caregivers with the unique aspects of ageing well with Down syndrome.^[11]

This truly is full-life support, driven by the continued work of Down Syndrome NSW, and only possible with the ongoing commitment and generosity of donors. Thank you for all that you are doing to ensure that appropriate support grows and barriers are broken. 

Tonight, in the spirit of World Down Syndrome Day, we not only celebrate and appreciate the Down Syndrome NSW team for facilitating such support, but also those who make it all possible through their time and donations.