Foundations of support: what dads and male role models mean in our lives

A Q&A session with adults with Down syndrome exploring what dads and male role models mean to them.

Date

Monday 4 May 2026

Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (VIC)

Location

This is an online event.

About the event

Join us for an online Q&A session with adults with Down syndrome exploring what dads and male role models mean to them.

It will be an honest, uplifting conversation about presence, support and the powerful impact of men in their lives.

We invite fathers, grandfathers and male carers of a child or adult with Down syndrome to join the Down Syndrome Victoria Chief Executive Officer Daniel Payne, and Kath, Matt and Jack, three adults with Down syndrome.

They will provide insights into:

their life and achievements
what it was like growing up with Down syndrome
the role their dads and male role models played
the qualities they most admire in their dads and male role models
their advice for dads and male carers in supporting a child or adult with Down syndrome.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask the speakers questions during the session.

Foundations of support is designed to celebrate the vital role that dads and male carers play in the lives of their children with Down syndrome, while offering meaningful perspectives and practical insights to help them thrive.

Down Syndrome Victoria gratefully acknowledges the generous grant provided by the Parenting Research Centre, which has made this event possible.

To register

To register, please visit our online registration page.

Presenters

Daniel Payne, DSV CEO

Dan commenced as Chief Executive Officer of Down Syndrome Victoria in 2019. He is known to many in the Down Syndrome Victoria community as he has been an active member since 2010 and served on the board from 2016-19. He brings a great balance of advocacy, empathy, understanding of our sector, commercial focus and positive energy. Dan is an active and engaged father to three beautiful children – Holly, Abby, and Tyson. His 16-year-old twin daughter, Holly, has Down syndrome. Dan is motivated and privileged to work alongside people with Down syndrome and their families to reach their potential and live the life they choose.

Katherine Mansour, DSV

Kath is the Down Syndrome Victoria Advisory Network Chair and is passionate about studying and learning new skills every day. She works as a receptionist at a disability support provider in the Bayside area.

Kath has lived independently for many years. She loves to paint and is quite the artist! She teaches art classes to adults with Down syndrome once a month. Kath is also an experienced public speaker. In 2025 she spoke at an event with over 600 people in attendance. Kath loves being involved in community pursuits and fundraising events designed to raise awareness for Down syndrome.

Matthew O’Neil, DSV

Matt is a proud man with Down syndrome. He has been a dedicated Down Syndrome Victoria (DSV) advocate for several years, representing DSV on the Down Syndrome Advisory Network (DSAN), volunteering and speaking at a variety of DSV events. He also coaches basketball and has worked at Coles for many years.

Matt loves and enjoys spending time with his family – his mum, dad and sisters. He is passionate about exercising and keeping fit. A highlight of his week is working out with his friends at Fitskills21, a physical activity program for individuals with Down syndrome. Matt wants to inspire people with a disability to have a positive outlook and know that they have a voice.

Jack Williamson, DSV

Jack graduated in 2018 from Emmaus College in Vermont and got his Cert III in Hospitality while he completed year 12. He juggles a very busy schedule of supports, activities and 4 different jobs including working at a restaurant and as a Compliance Officer and Office Assistant at Fleet Plant Hire Solutions. Jack also recently joined Down Syndrome Victoria as part of our Advisory Network and is thrilled to now represent Victoria as part of the Down Syndrome Australia Advisory Network.

Jack has a passion for performing and loves to dance. You may have spotted him in a Coles commercial! He enjoys spending Friday nights with his girlfriend and keeping active through gym workouts, swimming, riding his bike and walking. 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.