“I would like to see a world where the disability community is accepted by the mainstream society.
michael cox
A world without discrimination and not being judged by others.
A world with good human decency in every society out there. “
Our appointed Down Syndrome Advisory Network members are:
Annie Lee, ACT
December 2024 – present
Annie lives in Canberra and went to Merici College where she finished Year 12 in 2020. Since then she has studied part time finishing a Certificate 2 in Business Administration and she is currently part way through a Certificate 3.
Annie is passionate about inclusive education and was on the ACIE youth working group in 2021. Annie is a big advocate of inclusive employment as she thinks it is really important for everyone to have a job they love and to get paid.
Annie works part time in customer service at Murrays Coaches. She also attends Science Club, Math Group and Dance Fitness which are activities run by ACT DSID. Annie loves to dance and does a contemporary dance class as well as lots of Zumba.
Annie is also a member of the Confident Speakers group, who meet monthly to give a speech and listen and give feedback to the others in the group.
Annie is a member of the ACT DSID Committee and enjoys telling the committee about what is happening in these groups
Chris Bunton, NSW
October 2024 – present
Chris Bunton is a gold medallist at the World Games, an exceptional gymnast, an actor, and an advocate for people with Down Syndrome. Chris coaches young boys at a local gymnastics centre teaching them important gymnastics skills and everyday life skills.
Chris has acted in a few feature films, TV shows and also short films with Bus Stop Films. Chris was part of the ruckus ensemble where he performed in several theatre productions and an international collaboration in Cambodia. As well as that, he is a co facilitator with DirtyFeet who provide dance and theatre workshops.
Chris is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and challenging preconceived perceptions about people with disabilities through advocacy. Through his love for everything he does in life, he aims to raise awareness about intellectual disabilities and promote equality, also sharing his experiences to inspire positive change for all people with a disability and in society.
Chris excels in teamwork and committee roles, spreading his optimism and enthusiasm to people from all walks of life. Through sports, he has embodied the values of perseverance, grit, determination, and positive change. He has a vision for a more inclusive and accepting community for everyone with and without a disability in the future.
Lisa Tiernan, QLD
October 2023 – present
Lisa is from Darwin in the Northern Territory but in September 2024 moved to Sunshine Coast, QLD.
Lisa completed Year 12 and started work in 2015, part time for the Northern Territory Government in an Admin Support role.
Some of her duties include scanning private confidential folders, checking that there is milk in the fridge, and making name badges for new staff. Lisa loved her job and helping her work colleagues.
Lisa has been bowling for over 15 years and she has lots of fun and making friends when she represent the NT for National Disability Championships around the Australia every year. In 2018 Lisa was a finalist in the NT Young Achiever Awards, in the Sports Category and won the People’s Choice Award.
Lisa loves to travel everywhere and go on cruises, she has travelled to England and loves going to Bali, it’s her second home.
Michael Cox, QLD
February 2024 – present
Bright, passionate, and enthusiastic, Michael brings the following attributes to all that he does;
· Highly motivated with excellent communication and people skills
· Reliable and relatable
· Independent thinker with positive life outlook
Applying the same dedication, focus and commitment that led Michael to achieve at the highest level in international swimming, Michael, now seeks to help people ad groups to bring out the best in themselves and sees health and fitness, equality and inclusion as the foundations for better living.
Anna Gray, WA
November 2024 – present
Anna lives in Perth and in December 2023 moved out into her own unit with her flatmate and puppy named Miley.
Anna work two jobs, one at HBF in the city and at St John of God where she is the Mailroom Assistant. She also volunteers at a local Kindy for two year olds.
In her spare time Anna loves going to the beach with friends and trains for open water swimming. She also go to the gym and Capoeira (which is Brazilian martial arts).
Dancing has always been a passion of Anna’s and currently she is into ballroom dancing with her favourite dance being the tango because it is edgy.
Anna is really into fitness and mindful eating and would like to be a role model for others to practice a healthy lifestyle.
Sandon Overton, TAS
June 2025 – Present
Sandon lives in Somerset on the North West Coast of Tasmania and is completing Year 12 at Hellyer College.
Sandon likes spending his spare time with his friends, making movies, tinkering, listening to music and playing his guitar. He also loves going to the beach with his family and pet dog, Kye.
Sandon enjoys keeping fit by walking, riding his bike, doing yoga and attending personal training sessions.
Sandon loves to cook and research healthy recipes to keep himself fit and strong.
Sandon would like to work as a teacher’s assistant at the support school and help other students with disabilities.
Jack Williamson, VIC
September 2025 – Present
Jack hails from the Outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne where he juggles a very busy schedule of supports, activities and 4 different jobs.
Jack graduated in 2018 from Emmaus College in Vermont and got his Cert III in Hospitality while he completed year 12.
He has a job working at Feast, a buffet restaurant in Ferntree Gully and he is also a Compliance Officer and Office Assistant at Fleet Plant Hire Solutions for two full days a week.
Jack has a passion for performing and loves to dance. He has taken Hip Hop dance lessons for several years along with Acting lessons to support his ability to audition for commercials and films when the opportunities arise. You may have spotted Jack in a Coles commercial!
These past couple of years, Jack has really focused on his health and fitness, attending the gym several times a week as well as regularly walking, swimming and riding his bike. Jack also played club basketball and was part of a bowling league for 10 years.
Jack enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and most Fridays they are out and about doing fun things like going to the movies, attending the theatre or having picnics.
Jack also recently joined Down Syndrome Victoria as part of their Advisory Network and is thrilled to now represent Victoria as part of the Down Syndrome Australia Advisory Network.
Jack hopes to share his experiences and inspire others with disability to know that they can have meaningful work, intimate relationships and be active contributors in their communities.
Isaiah Caruso, SA
September 2025 – Present
Isaiah is driven by a strong passion for helping others and speaking out against injustice, and inequality. He believes no one should be excluded and everyone should have a voice, “cause we are all the same”.
After graduating from Cabra Dominican College in 2019, Isaiah completed the ‘Up the Hill Program’ at Flinders University in 2024. This paved the way for his current role at the South Australian Council of Intellectual Disability (SACID) as an Inclusion Advisor -co-designing projects and delivering workshops focusing on health and wellbeing.
Health and fitness are important to Isaiah- he’s played football with the Goodwood Saints Inclusive league for 9 years and loves training with his PT and salsa dancing every week.
In his spare time, he loves discovering new cafes, seeing family and friends, going to church, playing guitar and music.
Isaiah brings energy, empathy, and a sense of purpose to everything he does.
