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27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

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Afternoon Tea for World Down Syndrome Day

The Honourable Mark Bailey, Member for Miller, Down Syndrome Queensland Chair, Mr David Fuller and CEO, Mrs Chris McMillan; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

As Patron of Down Syndrome Queensland, I am delighted to welcome you all to this special afternoon tea to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

Back in 2006, the Down Syndrome Association in Singapore chose the 21st day of the third month to launch the very first World Down Syndrome Day.

That date was carefully and cleverly chosen, linking it to the defining third copy of the 21st chromosome that produces the Down Syndrome, and was followed by a further five years of passionate advocacy until December 2011 when the General Assembly of the United Nations made the decision to add World Down Syndrome Day to their list of special international observances.

It was an historic decision, but by that year, there were already 113 other UN international days, so there were not many emblems or colours that had not already been claimed.

Faced with this challenge, Down Syndrome advocates famously (and very imaginatively!) chose socks because their shape suggested that of chromosomes. From that, it was just a small step to the annual ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign, encouraging supporters to wear brightly coloured odd socks on the 21st of March as a novel way of starting conversations about Down Syndrome.

Tonight, we will be joining communities around the world in marking this important day by lighting Government House in blue and yellow as our contribution to raising public awareness of Down Syndrome and the challenges it brings for individuals, families and communities.

As the peak body in our State, Down Syndrome Queensland today represents 18,000 Queenslanders, supports over 4,000 members and 150 schools, involves more than 5,000 fundraisers, and has more than a hundred volunteers.

That alone is an impressive achievement but in addition, it has developed a powerful network of influential allies, including the Down Syndrome Research Program at The University of Queensland.

It has also introduced innovations such as the inclusive community sports program and the Now and the Future podcast series, and will play a major part in the World Down Syndrome Congress to be held here in Brisbane in less than four months’ time.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, Graeme and I congratulate and thank Down Syndrome Queensland, its Board, staff, supporters and volunteers on these achievements and thank them for their tireless efforts to eliminate discrimination, improve understanding, achieve equality, and – in the words of this year’s theme – end the stereotypes.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!