Frances Clarke Memorial Awards 2006

Welcome all to Government House.  Dr Dawn Elder, Senior Lecturer, Wellington School of Paediatrics, members of the Wellington Down Syndrome Association, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.  A special welcome also to Michael Holdsworth who is so ably entertaining us on the piano today.  Michael, we always enjoy your music and thank you for coming again today. 

This is the first time I have hosted the Frances Clarke Memorial Awards for special achievement and I have much pleasure in doing so.

A special welcome to new members of the Wellington Down Syndrome Association.  For some of you, this may be your first association event.  I am sure you will make new friends, share your experiences and enjoy the day.

This is a very important day, particularly for the young people who will receive awards.  You have all done well to get here today, your hard work and your achievement is today being recognised.  My warmest congratulations to you all.

But I also want to congratulate the friends and families of today's award recipients.  You have worked just as hard and your support clearly has been outstanding.

Further credit is due to the Wellington Down Syndrome Association.  Your ongoing efforts to represent people with Down Syndrome and their families is highly laudable.

I will now hand over to our MC, Mrs Charlotte Gendall.  But before I do so, again welcome and I hope you will be able to join me for morning tea after the ceremony.  There will also be a magic show.  I very much hope you will enjoy the morning.