Down Syndrome WA celebrates World Down Syndrome Day (March 21st) with Tea for 321.  Click here to read about World Down Syndrome Day.  Down Syndrome WA joined other states to celebrate Tea for 321 for the first time in WA in 2008 and again in 2009.  Our aim is to encourage people all over WA to start celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with a very simple or a very grand morning or afternoon tea, and to use the opportunity to raise awareness in their local community about people with Down syndrome.

In 2009 Down Syndrome WA hosted a very grand High Tea at Government House Ballroom. 

It was a wonderful occasion, in a superb venue and attended by 200 people dressed to kill!

It provided a great opportunity to highlight the strengths, achievements and contributions of people with Down syndrome and was also a great way to acknowledge the contributions of people in our community who support someone with Down syndrome in some way.

A string quartet from Churchlands Senior High School set the scene with some beautiful classical music, and people were further entertained by the talented Vinci family trio - De Vinci Chord.        

4 stunning paintings from the brush of artist Dave Guhl were on display in the Ballroom.  Typical of Dave's style they were very colourful and joyful pieces.  They could have been sold 50 times over, but alas they were not for sale.  Dave and his Mum Jenny and Dad Kevin attended the event.  Click here to see more of Dave's paintings from the Truly Madly Delightful exhibition (paintings can be enlarged by clicking on them).

People with Down syndrome were involved in every aspect of the event as volunteers, speakers, special guests and award winners:  greeting people as they arrived, giving the welcome and thank you speeches, serving afternoon tea, participating in the award ceremony, handing out welcome gifts of butterfly badges and farewell gifts of carnations to every guest.   

It really was all about them and the event proved to be a great opportunity for people with Down syndrome to be heard and  to be seen contributing to the community.  

Two international swimmers, Stephen Donovan and Patrick Ricciardo, wearing their Australian Team uniforms and medals won at the recent World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Portugal, were introduced to guests.  Artist Dave Guhl was presented with a RAP Award (Recognition Award Program) for his inspirational talent and the encouragement he provides to others to follow their dreams.  RAP Awards were also presented to members of the community who were nominated for their support to people with Down syndrome, or their contribution to the Association or to people with Down syndrome in general.  Jan Gothard was awarded a RAP in recognition of her advocacy work in the area of Immigration.  

The special Award of Life Membership was presented to Sue Wilson for her many years of service to the Association.

Other guests included Bruce Langoulant (Chairman of DSC Board) and his daughter Courtney, Dr Ron Chalmers (Director General of DSC) and his wife Jenny, Jackie Softly (Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability) and her son Tom, Dr John Wray (Medical Advisor to DSWA) and Mike McKevitt (President of Down Syndrome WA) and his wife Rosanna.