Down Syndrome WA

01/04/2026

The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health workshops are tomorrow morning. - Thursday 2nd April.

Join the workshops to hear about the work of the Centre and to share your ideas on how health care can improve for people with intellectual disability.

PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME
This workshop is especially for people with Down Syndrome and is being held online. It is open to anyone from with Down Syndrome aged over 18 in Western Australia or South Australia.

Date: 2 April
Time: 9am-10am (WA time)
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/49127148561925?p=eldQVEYyLmoVhtwlGk

PARENTS, FAMILY AND CARERS
This is for parents, family and carers in Western Australia or South Australia. It is particularly relevant if you have had a particularly positive or challenging experience in the health system.

Date: 2 April
Time: 10am-11am
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/4456762584487?p=RUmOI3pmFs0Iu4oLsc

01/04/2026

DSWA are proud to be one of 147 organizations who received a grant from in 2026.

01/04/2026

Big News - We have EXTENDED Early Bird tickets to Tuesday 7 April to allow for the Easter Break and give you lots of time to secure your tickets for this years Gala.

Don't miss out on the reduced rate tickets
Book Here https://www.trybooking.com/DIMTC

01/04/2026

Read the story of Madeleine and Daisy from the special Telethon7 Perth lift out in the The West Australian today.
This beautiful story of two besties, who met through the Down Syndrome WA Playgroup 12 years ago, show the importance of our programs for connection and belonging.

"The families can’t speak highly enough of the support they have received through DSWA and the networks and connections they have forged through the organisation.

“The Telethon funding is really important to Down Syndrome WA,” Richard (Madeleine's Dad) says. “The regular person might just see it as a donation but the benefits on the other side can be life-changing. ”

Thank you Telethon7 Perth for the continued support.

Madeleine and Daisy don’t like it if you refer to them simply as friends. ‘We’re besties,’ they will correct you with big smiles. Here’s how the two forged a lifelong bond.

31/03/2026

Tools for the Tough Days - Workshop for Parents, Family and Carers. This is the first in a series of workshops supporting parents, family and carers. It will be presented by Steve Wells who is a psychologist and parent of an adult son with Down syndrome. If you are feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or worn down by the pressures of parenting or caring this course is designed specifically for parents, family and carers.

This event is being funded by Aimee's fund. Aimee, one of our DSWA parents lost her life in February 2024. Together with donations from Aimee's family, and many donations, as well as our CEO's Triathlon fundraiser, Aimee's fund was created to specifically support our DSWA parent group.

Date: Sunday 3 May, 1pm-4pm
Cost: $10 for catering (DSWA Members)
For parents, family and carers
Register at https://www.trybooking.com/DJPUJ

31/03/2026

On 2 April, DSWA will be hosting Julia Hawkins from The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health .

The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health works to make sure people with intellectual disability get better health care. People from the Centre will talk about the Community Connections Tour. The Tour connects with people with intellectual disability, families, supporters and organisations around Australia to talk about health care.

Join the workshops to hear about the work of the Centre and to share your ideas on how health care can improve for people with intellectual disability.

PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME
This workshop is especially for people with Down Syndrome and is being held online. It is open to anyone from with Down Syndrome aged over 18 in Western Australia or South Australia.

Date: 2 April
Time: 9am-10am (WA time)
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/49127148561925?p=eldQVEYyLmoVhtwlGk

PARENTS, FAMILY AND CARERS
This is for parents, family and carers in Western Australia or South Australia. It is particularly relevant if you have had a particularly positive or challenging experience in the health system.
Date: 2 April
Time: 10am-11am
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/4456762584487?p=RUmOI3pmFs0Iu4oLsc

31/03/2026

City of Melville Sow & Grow All Abilities April School Holidays @ Willagee Community Centre

Our Sow & Grow event is a casual drop-in session for people living with disabilities. You will plant seasonal produce seeds to take home before planting later in the season.

Family friendly social event: This is a casual event, all ages welcome, please be respectful to each other and your environment. Caregivers are responsible for the health and safety of their children at all times. Guests assume responsibility for their own safety.

Accessibility: Event is outdoors in the Courtyard if the weather is fine, otherwise in the Activity Room.

Length: This is a drop-in style event that will be open over a 2 hour period.

Start time: This event is open for guests to come and go as they please.

Date: Wednesday, 15 April

Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Willagee Community Centre, corner Archibald and Winnacott Streets, Willagee

Cost: Free

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/sow-and-grow-all-abilities

30/03/2026

WAVED Kids - WA Virtual Emergency Department

WAVEDkids is a virtual Emergency Department that, when appropriate, gives families the option to receive care at home rather than waiting in an emergency department.

The opening hours of the state-wide service have now been expanded to Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 8pm.

To access WAVEDkids, call:
🔷 1800 MEDICARE (1800 633 422)
🔷 Healthdirect (1800 022 222)

If appropriate, you’ll be referred to WAVEDkids for expert virtual emergency care.

30/03/2026

The Gala Dinner is fast approaching!

Early bird ticket sales close on 4 April so get in early for just $150.
Full price tickets will commence from 5 April.

Remember you can request a table be held for your group by emailing Admin@Downsyndromewa.org.au.

All tables must be paid in full by April 18th (early bird rules still apply to tickets purchased on a held table - EB closes 4 April)

You can book here: https://www.trybooking.com/DIMTC

30/03/2026

Huge congratulations to Jesse!

Jesse has started her new role with the Emirates Leisure and Retail team!

She is working as a Kitchen Assistant in Little Creatures in Perth Airport, Terminal 1.

We’re so proud of this amazing achievement. Wishing Jesse all the best as she starts this exciting new journey.

Go Jesse!

27/03/2026

Join us for a workshop from Steve Wells who is a psychologist and parent of an adult son with Down syndrome: If you are feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or worn down by the pressures of parenting or caring this course is designed specifically for parents and carers.

Tools for the Tough Days - Workshop on Emotional Resilience for Parents and Carers.
Date: Sunday 3 May, 1pm-4pm
Cost: $10 DSWA Members
For parents and carers
Register at https://www.trybooking.com/DJPUJ

This event is being funded by Aimee's fund. Aimee, one of our DSWA parents lost her life in February 2024. Together with donations from Aimee's family, and many donations, as well as our CEO's Triathlon fundraiser, Aimee's fund was created to specifically support our DSWA parent group. This is the first of the Aimee's Fund events.

We’re thrilled to welcome Steve Wells, an internationally recognised psychologist and parent of an adult son with Down syndrome here in WA, for a practical and empowering workshop on emotional resilience, designed specifically for you.

If you are feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or worn down by the pressures of parenting or caring this course is designed specifically for parents and carers. This session focuses on real-life challenges—stress, uncertainty, systems fatigue, and emotional overload—and offers clear, usable tools to help you regain calm, clarity, and confidence, even in tough moments.

Steve is known for translating complex psychology into simple, effective strategies you can use straight away. You’ll learn practical techniques to manage stress, regulate emotions, recover from setbacks, and build resilience for yourself and your family.
With decades of experience supporting families, educators, and leaders—and a deep personal understanding of the Down syndrome journey—Steve delivers a session that is grounded, relatable, and genuinely helpful. This is a chance to walk away with tangible skills that support not just surviving, but thriving

Register at https://www.trybooking.com/DJPUJ