The weather is looking warm, sunny and lovely this Sunday 18 October, it’s time to have some fun!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When you arrive, be sure to pop by the DSV registration tent first thing to tick your name off and say hello! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s shaping up to be such a great day. You\u2019ll start your morning with our wonderful MC\u2019s Kath Mansour and Jack Williamson followed by a group walk around Princes Park,\u202fafter a fabulous warm-up with Natalie Van Damme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the walk the festivities will continue with a lineup of live music, market stalls, entertainment, face-painting and a huge range of activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget to have your photo taken at the Carer Gateway marquee for your keepsake magnet! You\u2019ll also have the chance to meet some of the team from Down Syndrome Victoria. Date: <\/strong>Sunday 18 October 2026 Please note that Princes Park is quite large so head to Lawn 3, next to Ikon Park. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Parking<\/strong> Public transport <\/strong> Alternatively, bus numbers 250, 251 and 504 take you to Princes Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information and public transport options visit Public Transport Victoria’s\u202fJourney Planner.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also download a map of the course that includes details about pitstops, first aid and start\/finish lines that you may like to refer to on the day<\/strong> HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From 10:00pm Friday 16 October to 5:00am Monday 19 October, the Eastern Freeway will be closed in both directions between Chandler Highway and Tram Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thompsons Road will also be closed in both directions between Bulleen Road and the Bulleen Park and Ride from 10:00pm Friday 16 October to 5:00am Monday 19 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the closure delays of up to 90 minutes are expected during peak times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We encourage motorists to plan their journey, allow extra time and avoid the area if possible. For longer trips to the city or airport, consider using alternative arterials including the Monash Freeway or the M80.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information visit: Disruptions – Victoria\u2019s Big Build<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you have pre-registered or decide to come along on the day, please head to the registration marquee<\/strong> when you arrive at the event.\u00a0 Please note that no physical tickets will be issued, but\u202fregistration\u202fis required\u202fupon arrival.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merchandise <\/strong> Toilets<\/strong> Food and drinks<\/strong> Gluten free options:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Market stalls <\/strong> Raffle <\/strong> Please contact as at events@dsav.asn.au<\/a> with any questions big or small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can’t wait to celebrate with you this Sunday 18 October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Down Syndrome Victoria are excited to announce that StepUP! Melbourne is once again proudly supported by Carer Gateway \u2013 Holstep Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carer Gateway is a nationwide program funded by the Australian Government, led by Holstep Health in Victoria. It provides free services and support to help carers manage daily challenges, reduce stress and improve wellbeing. To learn more about Carer Gateway, call 1800 422 737 on Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm or visit www.carergateway.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DSV would like to thank Carer Gateway for their support of StepUP! Melbourne 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Photographs courtesy of Connor Cesa<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Whether you’ve got tickets already or will purchase on the day, here’s everything you need to know about enjoying StepUP! 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":4122,"parent":0,"menu_order":47,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"state":[],"class_list":["post-5096","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5096"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5218,"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5096\/revisions\/5218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state?post=5096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPlanning your trip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Address:<\/strong> Princes Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North
Start time: <\/strong>10:30am (registration open from 9:30am)<\/em>
End time: <\/strong>1:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/10\/2bdba077-e9dd-8e6b-a784-4981e52cecbf-768x576.png\")
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Parking is available around the venue including in the surrounding streets of Bowen Crescent, Garton Street, Royal Parade, Princes Park Drive and Ievers Street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tram route 19 from the city takes you right along the park’s western border to tram stop #17. Alternatively, you could also use routes 1 or 6 and make your way to the park from Lygon Street.
By train, take the Upfield Line and get off at Royal Park Station. <\/p>\n\n\n\nEastern Freeway weekend closure – a note for those travelling from the east<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you arrive: registration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Registration is open from 9:30am.<\/strong>
Ticket costs: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Other details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A range of StepUP! merchandise will be available to purchase at the DSV merchandise marquee on the day including t-shirts, drink bottles and caps. Our DSV badges will also be on sale, featuring the artwork of Victorian artist Josie Jarvis<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will have access to the toilets at Ikon Park. There will be an accessible toilet located close to the marquees in the Ikon Park car park. There are also three toilets around the Princes Park walking track which you can locate on the walking map here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food vendors will have food and drinks available for purchase on the day, as well as the Fitzroy Rotary Club sausage sizzle.
Alternatively, you can bring along a picnic rug and self-cater.\u202fDrinking water will\u202fbe available so remember to bring along your drink bottles!\u202f
Food vendors include\u202fBlind Beans<\/a>,\u202fFitzroy Rotary Club<\/a>,\u202fDylan’s Delicious Delights<\/a>,\u202fFeed Me Group<\/a>,\u202fMDA Twista Potato<\/a>, Dulce Gelati Cart<\/a>, and\u202fWho 8 My Cake<\/a>.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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We have a range of market stalls, which include over many small business owners with Down syndrome. It\u2019s a great time to start your Christmas shopping so remember to bring along some cash, while some traders will have EFTPOS available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have some great prizes on offer this year so please remember to bring your loose change. Raffle tickets are being sold at $5 each or three for $10. <\/p>\n\n\n\nQuestions? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Proudly supported by: Carer Gateway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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