World Down Syndrome Day 2025

Member for Algester, the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP; Member for Greenslopes, Mr Joe Kelly MP; Down Syndrome Queensland Chair, Mr David Fuller, Board Members and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians 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 this afternoon.

As Governor, I am the proud Vice-Regal Patron of Down Syndrome Queensland, but as a former doctor and medical administrator, I am also a passionate supporter of the work this wonderful organisation does, year-round, to help those living with Down syndrome and to advocate for improved support, information and resources.

As a medical scientist, Graeme shares my commitment, as does everyone here today, and I thank you all for accepting the invitation to join us this afternoon to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2025.

Every year, the 21^st of March is a reminder to us all that, of the six million or so children and adults around the world living with Down syndrome, many are denied the basic human rights of a quality education, good health care, the chance to work and earn their own money, and the ability to make decisions about their own lives.

Almost 160 years after John Langdon Down first described the condition that now bears his name, those with Down syndrome may no longer be routinely institutionalised as they once were, but progress towards those universal human rights remains frustratingly slow.

Australia is fortunate when compared with many other countries, and last year, here in Queensland, we benefited hugely from hosting the first World Down Syndrome Congress in Australia for 20 years, with almost a thousand participants from more than 45 countries.

But despite that exposure, achieving real, lasting change remains hampered by competing calls for government and corporate support.

And that is why, this year, Down Syndrome Australia has united with similar associations around the world under the theme, “Improve Our Support Systems”.

It is as much a rallying cry as a theme, because those four powerful words recognise that progress can only be achieved through persistent pressure for laws, policies, services and technologies to be based firmly on human rights and developed in partnership with people with disability.

This is no easy task, but it is only through change at that systemic, structural level that we will see those with Down syndrome finally able to access justice, live independently, have equal access to education, healthcare, and employment, and feel fully included in their workplace, and in culture, leisure and sport activities.

There is still work to do in changing the ways we, as a society, talk about — and perceive those with — Down syndrome.

One of the most inventive measures, introduced by Down Syndrome Queensland, to address those perceptions was to partner with Crema Coffee Garage in 2022 and create DSQ Brew.

If the now iconic “Lots of Socks” campaign has become a great way of starting conversations about Down syndrome, serving a brew of DSQ is surely the best way of continuing those discussions.

I am delighted that we are able to do just that this afternoon, and tonight, Fernberg itself will become a conversation-starter itself when it is lit up in blue and yellow.

I thank you all once again for joining us today and for your continued support and commitment.

A celebration of World Down Syndrome Day would simply not be possible without you.

Thank you.