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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-12-02 Daily Xml
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MATTERS OF INTEREST

DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:23): In a recent matter of interest I discussed the good work being done by the Down Syndrome Society of South Australia. I also pointed out that there was a fun side to the DSS in the role undertaken by Club Slick, where disabled people from South Australia promote learning and education through leisure activities. The 10th World Down Syndrome Conference held in Dublin this year gave Club Slick another opportunity to build on its reputation following on from its 2004 , 2006 and 2009 successes at various world conferences.

I received a letter from the President of the Down Syndrome Society of South Australia, Judy Opolski, telling me of the event this year and the success of Club Slick. That letter reads as follows:

In August 2009 13 very excited young adults with Down Syndrome, along with 3 staff from the Down Syndrome Society, 1 volunteer and 23 parents/carers travelled to Dublin to attend the 10th World Down Syndrome Congress. The young people all belong to a group of jive-dancers who attend the Society's 'Club Slick' rock'n'roll evenings at Burnside Ballroom each month and regularly perform in a Demonstration Team at events around Adelaide. The group performed at the Congress dinner and also conducted 2 dance workshops to teach approximately 70 other people with DS to jive and have a great time.

Members of the Society also presented 3 oral presentations and 1 poster presentation sharing information and programs developed by the Society in areas of maths and money skills, healthy living, language and social/dance skills.

The DSS South Australia has an international reputation for innovation in learning programs and exciting approaches to recreation, the arts and physical activities for children and adults with DSS, which all have solid educational bases. The society is particularly recognised for the quality resources developed by the society staff, which are sold Australia wide and internationally.

At the Congress Gala Dinner the young people with DS performed an original 15 minute rock'n'roll dance routine. Their performance was sensational—professional and exciting, and was received by the large audience with a standing ovation and cries of 'encore'. The grand finale saw the dancers circuit the dance floor, proudly displaying the South Aussie flag (kindly provided by Bob Sneath) to shouts of 'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi.'

As with previous World Congresses, the South Australian contingent outnumbered the combined total of delegates from all other Australian states! Travel on this scale is extremely costly and a two year fundraising effort by the cast members and their families helped to subsidise the costs for cast members and support staff. The Minister for Disability, the Hon. Jennifer Rankine, generously donated $5,000, which was greatly appreciated—and John Gazzola and Bob Sneath (the society's newly appointed patron) held a fundraising barbecue at Parliament House. Many thanks.

It is vitally important that representatives of the society are able to attend premier events in the Down syndrome world. Staff and families have the opportunity to hear about new programs, research outcomes and directions, and best practice from around the world. The society is also a significant contributor to the international knowledge base and is recognised as such by the professionals from many countries. Professional and personal relationships, which can last for many years and form the basis for the ongoing exchange of information and new knowledge, are forged at these international gatherings.

In addition, the young people with Down syndrome meet other delegates from all over the world and many friendships are maintained by email and letters—opening up new opportunities and experiences. Simply travelling to new countries is a huge learning experience for these young people and their parents.

Attending the congress was a massive but very worthwhile undertaking, and South Australia can be proud of its young ambassadors, who conducted themselves with confidence, dignity and maturity at all times.

In closing, I again wish the Down Syndrome Society of South Australia all the best in its demanding work and offer my congratulations to you, Mr President, on your appointment as Patron to the Down Syndrome Society of South Australia.

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