Dear members, supporters and partners,
Please see below some updates from Daniel Payne, CEO Down Syndrome Victoria, before 2023 comes to a close.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month 2023
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your support, enthusiasm and generosity during Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Whether you participated in our events, donated, or helped spread the word about Down syndrome, your contributions have helped raise funds and awareness to support our mission – to work alongside people with Down syndrome and families to reach their potential and live the life they choose.
I’m proud to share that we well exceeded our fundraising target, raising more than $70,000 for DSV!
These funds will make a significant contribution to our advocacy efforts and help fund vital supports and services for people with Down syndrome, as well as families and supporters.
Annual General Meeting 2023
Thank you also to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting (AGM) earlier this month. I would like to personally thank Katrina Enos and Michael Pocock for their significant contribution to the DSV board and the Victorian Down syndrome community. Both Katrina and Michael stepped down from the board at the AGM after many years of service across several roles. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate you both in person.
The significant impact DSV has made in the past 12 months would not have been possible without our members, partners and donors. My heartfelt thanks also extends to our volunteers, board of management and dedicated staff who work tirelessly to deliver positive outcomes with and for people with Down syndrome.
We were thrilled to be able to launch our 2022-23 Annual Report showcasing our impact over the past year. We also took the opportunity to look ahead bylaunching DSV’s Strategic Plan 2024-26. This document outlines our intention to continue working towards a society where people with Down syndrome are valued and enjoy social and economic inclusion. You can check it out here and further information about the various strategies and activities will be shared across 2024.
Free membership
At our AGM the DSV Board agreed to continue offering free membership. Becoming a member of DSV will connect you with local information, support, opportunities and a vibrant community of people with Down syndrome, families and supporters.
Sign up for free membership here!
Royal Commission and NDIS Review
Whilst there is much to be excited about heading into 2024, there are many challenges and uncertainties facing DSV and our community including sector changes resulting from the final report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and the NDIS review recommendations that are due for release any day.
For DSV, the uncertainty of Federal grant extensions and future grant opportunities for core services and projects, combined with declining state government support (less than 10 per cent of DSV’s total income), increased demand on corporate and philanthropic partners, and general economic tightening through inflation and interest rate increases has and will continue to reduce historically reliable funding streams.
At the heart of our strategy is a desire to continue to increase strategic and impactful partnerships in the best interest of people with Down syndrome and our community. As always, I want people with Down syndrome and families to be confident in contacting DSV throughout all life stages, knowing we will either offer the information, service or support they are seeking, or reliably connect them with someone who can. This has not changed.
For more information about the NDIS review, this interview with Dr George Taleporos, Professor Bruce Bonyhady and Lisa Paul is a good listen.
Visit from Parliamentary Secretary for Disability
This month we had the pleasure of welcoming Parliamentary Secretary for Disability, Iwan Walters, to our Advisory Network meeting, where we discussed the challenges and opportunities for people with Down syndrome across Victoria. I look forward to working with Iwan and the Victorian Government to continue our work alongside people with Down syndrome and families.
Your questions and feedback are always welcome. I encourage you to give me a call on 9486 9600 or drop me an email at info@dsav.asn.au.
Wishing you and your families a fantastic summer.
Regards,
Dan Payne, CEO
Down Syndrome Victoria
