Mr NATT - 2005-10-20
Next week is Down Syndrome Awareness Week. Can you please advise the House on events happening during the week?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. Yes, indeed, right across Australia next week people will be acknowledging and celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Week.
In the Northern Territory, the highlight for the week will be the annual dinner auction, which will be held here on Saturday, 29 October. Tickets are still available, so I encourage people to buy some for this very worthy event. Items for auction include hotel packages, dinners, art work and, for the second year, the celebrity auction. Identities, including His Honour the Administrator, the Chief Minister, other ministers, including myself and MLAs and, I believe, the Mayors of both Darwin and Palmerston have come up with items for auction.
Most of you would be aware of Down Syndrome. It is caused by an extra chromosome which affects both physical and intellectual development. It is a lifelong condition which affects each person differently. Each person with Down Syndrome is an individual, with his or her own needs, strengths and abilities. My family certainly enjoys the love and development of a little Down Syndrome girl called Molly, who is best friends with my children. She has certainly taught us how to embrace life with gusto.
The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Territory runs as a family support group and, as is the case with many small not-for-profit groups, it struggles to find committee members to fill all of its positions. Most committee members are involved because they care for a person with Down Syndrome, and that care already places demands on their time. All of these volunteers deserve our thanks for the effort that they put in. They include people like Jean Meakin, the treasurer. Jean has no family connection to Down Syndrome, but she knew she had some useful skills to contribute, and contribute she does. Esther Tan is currently secretary of the association. She has mobilised students at Dripstone High School for several years and, more recently at Darwin High School to help with fundraising. They have been very successful, so well done, Esther and both Dripstone and Darwin High Schools. Theona Mitaros has been patron of the Down Syndrome Association for many years. She will step down at the end of this year and will be sorely missed by the families who make up the association.
I congratulate committee member, Jenny Tiernan, who I know puts a great deal of effort and volunteer work in supporting the Down Syndrome Association ...
Mrs Braham: This is an adjournment speech, minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up the interjection from the member for Braitling.
Mrs Braham: Well it is. It is something you would normally do in adjournment.
Mr Mills: This is Question Time.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up the interjection from the member for Braitling. It is quite appropriate, as the Minister for Family and Community Services, to acknowledge the Down Syndrome Awareness Week that we are celebrating next week.
Mrs Braham: Yes, I have no problems with that.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, order! Minister, continue.
Ms LAWRIE: There is an abundance of opportunities for involvement in this small group and I encourage all Territorians to do a little extra and think about their own skills and talents and consider how they might share those skills. I wish the Down Syndrome Association the best of luck with their dinner and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. Yes, indeed, right across Australia next week people will be acknowledging and celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Week.
In the Northern Territory, the highlight for the week will be the annual dinner auction, which will be held here on Saturday, 29 October. Tickets are still available, so I encourage people to buy some for this very worthy event. Items for auction include hotel packages, dinners, art work and, for the second year, the celebrity auction. Identities, including His Honour the Administrator, the Chief Minister, other ministers, including myself and MLAs and, I believe, the Mayors of both Darwin and Palmerston have come up with items for auction.
Most of you would be aware of Down Syndrome. It is caused by an extra chromosome which affects both physical and intellectual development. It is a lifelong condition which affects each person differently. Each person with Down Syndrome is an individual, with his or her own needs, strengths and abilities. My family certainly enjoys the love and development of a little Down Syndrome girl called Molly, who is best friends with my children. She has certainly taught us how to embrace life with gusto.
The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Territory runs as a family support group and, as is the case with many small not-for-profit groups, it struggles to find committee members to fill all of its positions. Most committee members are involved because they care for a person with Down Syndrome, and that care already places demands on their time. All of these volunteers deserve our thanks for the effort that they put in. They include people like Jean Meakin, the treasurer. Jean has no family connection to Down Syndrome, but she knew she had some useful skills to contribute, and contribute she does. Esther Tan is currently secretary of the association. She has mobilised students at Dripstone High School for several years and, more recently at Darwin High School to help with fundraising. They have been very successful, so well done, Esther and both Dripstone and Darwin High Schools. Theona Mitaros has been patron of the Down Syndrome Association for many years. She will step down at the end of this year and will be sorely missed by the families who make up the association.
I congratulate committee member, Jenny Tiernan, who I know puts a great deal of effort and volunteer work in supporting the Down Syndrome Association ...
Mrs Braham: This is an adjournment speech, minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up the interjection from the member for Braitling.
Mrs Braham: Well it is. It is something you would normally do in adjournment.
Mr Mills: This is Question Time.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up the interjection from the member for Braitling. It is quite appropriate, as the Minister for Family and Community Services, to acknowledge the Down Syndrome Awareness Week that we are celebrating next week.
Mrs Braham: Yes, I have no problems with that.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, order! Minister, continue.
Ms LAWRIE: There is an abundance of opportunities for involvement in this small group and I encourage all Territorians to do a little extra and think about their own skills and talents and consider how they might share those skills. I wish the Down Syndrome Association the best of luck with their dinner and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016