Reception for Donors and Supporters of Down Syndrome NSW
Down Syndrome NSW was honoured to host a special reception at Government House Sydney in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, bringing together our generous donors, supporters, and volunteers to recognise their outstanding contribution throughout 2025. The event provided an opportunity to formally thank our community, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the collective impact made possible through their ongoing support.
The reception was held on Monday 16 March 2026 at Government House, Sydney, and was hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Dennis Wilson, welcoming approximately 100 guests.
The evening was dedicated to recognising and celebrating the generosity of donors, supporters, and volunteers who contributed to Down Syndrome NSW throughout 2025. It was an important opportunity to express sincere gratitude and acknowledge the vital role our community plays in enabling our work.
A key highlight of the evening was the formal recognition of our Champions for Change donors, alongside the presentation of awards to volunteers whose dedication and commitment have made a lasting impact on people with Down syndrome and their families across NSW.
Champions for Change
Champions for Change is Down Syndrome NSW’s donor recognition program, designed to acknowledge and celebrate the generosity of supporters through tiered recognition levels.
The program reflects our commitment to recognising contributions in a meaningful and personalised way, highlighting the impact of philanthropic support across our organisation.
Awards and Recognition
The evening featured the presentation of:
Volunteer Awards
- Lifetime of Impact Award – Tierney Seeto
- Outstanding Contribution Award – Jennifer Weatherstone
Champions for Change Awards
Bronze Champions for Change
- Vidzero
- The Haddock Family
- Art Gallery of NSW
- Racing NSW
- We are Posi
Silver Champions for Change
- Eleah
- Gregorius Trust
Gold Champions for Change
- Sydney Swans
- The Davies Family Foundation
Platinum Champions for Change
- Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- BTIG
Legacy Award
- The Whittingham Family
- The Davies Family Foundation
Impact in 2025
The event highlighted the significant impact achieved throughout 2025, made possible through the generosity of donors and partners, including:
- Workshops & Events: 700 attendees across community programs
- Regional Schools Program: Expanded to 92 schools across NSW, supporting educators and students in both metropolitan and regional communities
- Congratulations Program:
- 12 hospital in-services delivered to over 400 medical staff
- 18 family home or hospital visits
- 33 newborn baby packs distributed
- 160 attendees at New Babies Day
These outcomes demonstrated the powerful difference donor and partner support made in strengthening inclusion across all stages of life.
Down Syndrome NSW sincerely thank all donors, partners, volunteers, and supporters who attended the event. Their generosity, commitment, and belief in inclusion continued to drive meaningful change and create opportunities for people with Down syndrome across NSW.
