Down Syndrome NSW office hours

In order to provide a more consistent level of service to our members, the Down Syndrome NSW office will be closed on Fridays from 28 October 2016.

This change is in line with many of our fellow state organisations. In making this change we are hoping to be able to provide an increased level of service Monday to Thursday.

Down Syndrome NSW Annual General Meeting 2016

Members are welcome to join us for the Down Syndrome NSW Annual General Meeting which will be held at at 10.00 am on Saturday 29 October 2016.

Our Guest speaker will be Evelyn Scott who will be talking to us about the latest international research. 

There is also a proposal to amend the Constitution of the Association at the AGM - details of the proposed changes are here.

10am Saturday 29 October 2016 

SMC Conference Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney, NSW

Board Nominations
Nominations are now open to join the Board of Down Syndrome NSW.

To nominate for a board position you must be a paid up Member of the Association. To nominate for the position of President or Vice President, you must be an Ordinary Member.

To nominate complete the below nomination form and return to Emily Wu (the Returning Officer) via email at emilyjanewu@hotmail.com or via mail to

Emily Wu
PO Box 3173
North Parramatta NSW 1750

Nominations close Friday 14 October 2016 at 5.00 pm sharp.

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Down Syndrome NSW has moved: new contact details

The office of Down Syndrome NSW has moved. The street address and postal address have both changed, but phone numbers and email addresses remain the same. Our office hours are still 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

We are now only one block north of Victoria Road. We are much easier to find and to get to than we have been for a while.  Parramatta train station is a 15 to 20 minute walk away and the free Parramatta Loop bus leaves the station every 10 minutes and stops almost outside 410 Church Street.  There are two council car parks nearby and on-street meter parking for up to four hours. 

All DS NSW members are welcome to come and visit any time.  If you'd like to use the Julie Cromer Resource Library be sure to call ahead and make an appointment for Wednesday or Thursday when librarian Jo See is in to assist you. 

We look forward to seeing you.

Our office

Level 6, 410 Church Street
North Parramatta NSW 2151

Postal Address
PO Box 3173
North Parramatta NSW 1750

Phone
+61 2 9841 4444  (Sydney Metro)
1800 811 629  (Outside Sydney Metro)

Emails
General enquiries:
admin@dsansw.org.au

Information, Training and Support:
information@dsansw.org.au

Library enquiries: 
library@dsansw.org.au

Social Media
Facebook:  DownSyndromeNSW
Twitter:      @DownSyndromeNSW

Website:    www.downsyndromensw.org.au

Blog:         http://keepingupwithds.blogspot.com.au

Information about our Board and staff is available on the  'About us' page on our website

2016 DS NSW Calendar now available

Bigger than Star Wars (almost)! Brighter than NYE fireworks - it's the 2016 Down Syndrome NSW Calendar!
Get you copies now by emailing admin@dsansw.org.au with your payment details and we will post the same day (up to and including Friday 18 December)

A big thank you to our wonderful volunteer calendar creator Craig Peihopa and all the fabulous families who shared their photos.

Down Syndrome NSW Board 2015 - 2016

The activities and direction of Down Syndrome NSW are overseen by a Board of directors who are elected by the membership of the Association each year. A new Board was elected at the Annual General Meeting of Down Syndrome NSW on 18th October 2015.

Executive:
Greg Simmons, President
Jason Lloyd, Vice President

Greg Simmons
President

John Namey, Treasurer

Board Members:

Josh Coburn
Graeme Dubé
Margot Elliffe
William Greive
Andrew Hinde
Jacqueline Little
Matthew Kelly
Richard Yee

Information about the Board members is available on our website. Members are also invited to contact the Board directly via president@dsansw.org.au with any queries.

Down Syndrome NSW staff members and information about their roles is listed here on our website.

Would you like to work with us?

Down Syndrome NSW currently has two positions for energetic and committed individuals who are passionate about the rights of people with Down syndrome.

Events and Communications
Do you have experience organising events and with implementing communications strategy? We have a three day a week position at the office in Northmead with our Community Engagement and Fundraising team. You will be working with our Members on a variety of events as well as using your comms skills to let people know about Down syndrome and what we are doing.

Peer Connector
Down Syndrome NSW is currently looking for a peer connector to help establish and run a local social group in the Hornsby/Ryde area, for adults with Down syndrome and intellectual disability.

The goal of the group will be to build the social networks, independence and skills of group members – while having fun at the same time. There will also be a focus on helping group members to prepare for the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in their local area. Prior knowledge about the NDIS is desirable, but not essential. The position is approximately 10 hours per month and will include some weekend work.

For further information about these positions email admin@dsansw.org.au and put the position name in the subject line.

Down Syndrome NSW Annual General Meeting: 18th October 2015

Down Syndrome NSW Annual General Meeting Sunday 18th October 2015 10:15am for 10:30am start Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. (ICE) 8 Victoria Road, Parramatta (Corner Victoria Rd and Vickers St) RSVP(for catering purposes): admin@dsansw.org.au On street parking is available near the venue, there is paid parking available at Novotel Parramatta and 1 hour limited free parking at the Council car park next to McDonalds. ICE is approximately a 15 minute walk from Parramatta Station. As well as the business of the AGM we will be privileged to see a presentation on the recent World Down Syndrome Congress in Chennai, India, specially prepared by some of our members with Down syndrome who attended. If you have not renewed your membership with Down Syndrome NSW since the annual notices went out at the end of June you can renew online here or by calling the office on 02 9841 4444. Continuing your membership means continued access to workshops, training and support, the latest information on Down Syndrome and, most importantly, the chance for your voice to be heard in our work supporting the rights of people with Down syndrome.

Nominations open for Down Syndrome NSW Board for 2016

Down Syndrome NSW members - it is now time to submit your nominations for the Board of Down Syndrome NSW. All nominations will be collected and a vote will be conducted at this years Annual General Meeting to be held on 18th October 2015, at Parramatta

Please download and print your nomination form and follow the instructions.

Please send your completed nomination via email to tracylee.arestides@dsansw.org.au
or by post:

Down Syndrome NSW
C/- Tracylee Arestides
PO Box 107
NORTHMEAD NSW 2152

All nominations must be received by the appointed Returning Officer by 5pm EST Monday 14th September 2015.

If you need to renew your membership, you can do it online on our website now.

Two positions vacant at DS NSW

Down Syndrome NSW has two positions vacant in the Information, Training and Support Team:

1. Adult Life-stage Worker 

We are looking for a person to work with families of adult individuals with Down syndrome through information and advocacy. 

2. New Parents Liaison Worker 

We are looking for a person to work with families of young children with Down syndrome through information and advocacy. 

Both positions are part-time, based in Northmead, Sydney. We are a flexible, family-friendly workplace.

For further information on either position, and an information package, please contact
Judy Davidson on (02) 9841 4401 or email judy.davidson@dsansw.org.au

Application close Wednesday 10th December 2014.

Position Vacant at Down Syndrome NSW

Down Syndrome NSW: Administration Position
We currently have an Administration position open for 3 days / 18 hours per week (Mon – Wed). This is a casual position with the view to becoming permanent part time.

Essential required skills include: Excellent Microsoft Office skills, knowledge of MYOB, excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.

Preferred skills: understanding of advocacy for people with disability.

More details available here
If you would like further information about this position, please email Scott Bridges at scott.bridges@dsansw.org.au

2015 Down Syndrome NSW Calendar - orders open now

To order your copies of the 2015 Down Syndrome NSW Calendar please down load the order form and return them to our office for quick delivery.

Down Syndrome NSW Board 2014 - 2015, and annual report 2014

The 35th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on Sunday 28 September 2014 at the Information Cultural Exchange space in Parramatta.

The newly elected Board for 2014-2015 is

President:  Matthew Kelly 

Vice-President:  Margot Elliffe

Treasurer:  Richard Yee 

Members:

Josh Coburn
Graeme Dube
Chris Elenor
William Grieve
Meaghan Hepplewhite
Andrew Hinde
Jacqueline Little
Jason Lloyd
Greg Simmons

The Annual Report 2013-2014 can be downloaded here.

Annual General Meeting: speaker announced

Carolyn Campbell-McLean  has been announced as the speaker at the 2014 Annual General Meeting of Down Syndrome NSW. Carolyn is a Senior Facilitator with the My Choice Matters consumer development fund and has extensive experience in state government roles, including at the NSW Ombudsman and Public Guardian. Carolyn has also taught disability studies at TAFE and University of Western Sydney and is dynamic advocate for all people with disability. Carolyn is joining us in her role as an Ambassador for  Living Life My Way to chat about different approaches to individualised funding and self-directed support. The AGM is a wonderful opportunity to get together with other DS NSW members, to meet the new Board and review the past 12 months of Down Syndrome NSW. If you have any particular questions about the Association’s work over the last year you are welcome to email Matthew Kelly, our President, before the meeting on President@dsansw.org.au and we will endeavour to have a comprehensive answer available for you on the day. Families are welcome and you are invited to join us for coffee and cake after the meeting: Sunday 28th September 2014 10:15am for 10:30am start Information and Cultural Exchange Inc (ICE)  8 Victoria Rd Parramatta  (Corner Victoria RD and Vickers St, Parramatta) RSVP: By Thursday 25 September to admin@dsansw.org.au

Notice of Annual General Meeting

35th Annual General Meeting Sunday 28th September 2014 10:15am for a 10:30am start at Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. (ICE)  8 Victoria Rd Parramatta  (Corner Victoria Rd and Vickers St Parramatta)  At this year’s AGM you will have the opportunity to get together with other members, meet the new Board and review the past 12 months of Down Syndrome NSW. Please join us for light refreshments after the meeting. For catering and seating purposes, please RSVP here or call the Office on 9841 4444 if you would like to attend the 2014 AGM. The Information and Cultural Exchange centre is easily accessible by train, bus or car. Parking is available on the street. To plan your trip by public transport visit www.131500.com.au or call 131 500. Nominations for the Down Syndrome NSW Board are now open. For more information on becoming a Board member or to complete a nomination form please visit our website. Board nominations close at COB Friday 5th September 2014 If you'd like to have a chat in person with our Executive Director, Tracylee Arestides, email her, Tracylee.arestides@dsansw.org.au or our current President, Matthew Kelly president@dsansw.org.au and we'll make a time to talk.

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Down Syndrome NSW 
Phone: 02 9841 4411    Email: admin@dsansw.org.au

Executive Director appointed at Down Syndrome NSW

Down Syndrome NSW is pleased to announce the appointment of Tracylee Arestides to the new position of Executive Director.

Tracylee has a long association with Down Syndrome NSW. She has been a member since the birth of her daughter in 1992 and at various times has served on the management committee and Board as well as volunteering in other roles. Tracylee has a professional background in strategic communications and research. She has worked exclusively in the disability sector for the last decade, including time with the Disability Commissioner, Community Services Division at the NSW Ombudsman, Accessible Arts and, most recently, with the Council for Intellectual Disability NSW.

Tracylee is delighted to be joining the team at Down Syndrome NSW and looks forward to working with them to build an even stronger community for people with Down Syndrome.

Down Syndrome NSW Annual Report 2013

The Down Syndrome NSW 2012 - 2013 Annual Report can be downloaded from here.

The 2012 - 2013 Treasurer's Report can be downloaded from here.

2014 Down Syndrome NSW Calendar now on sale

The Down Syndrome NSW 2014 Calendar is now available for purchase for $16.50.

Download an order form from here, or contact Siena or Michelle at the DS NSW Office on 9841 4411 or email admin@dsansw.org.au

2014 Down Syndrome NSW Calendar: out now

As he has done for 15 years, professional photographer and Down Syndrome NSW member, Craig Peihopa (Timeline) has put together our annual calendar, and delivered it for release in Down Syndrome Awareness Week.  Thank you to everyone who contributed photos, and to Craig for your dedication and expertise over so many years.

Calendars are $16.50 each, including GST, postage and handling.

• Download and print an order form for our 2014 Calendar here