Nominations now open for the 2026 Frances Clarke Memorial Award
Do you know a young person with Down syndrome whose achievements deserve to be celebrated?
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Frances Clarke Memorial Award, recognising an outstanding young person with Down syndrome from the Greater Wellington region aged 8 to 18 years.
The Frances Clarke Memorial Award is now presented as part of the NZDSA National Achievement Awards, with WDSA selecting the Wellington recipient for 2026.
Whether they've achieved something at school, in sport, the arts, employment, volunteering, or through everyday determination and growth, we'd love to hear about them.
The Frances Clarke Memorial Award is now presented as part of the NZDSA National Achievement Awards. WDSA continues to select the Wellington recipient, ensuring this special award remains part of a national celebration of people with Down syndrome.
How to nominate
Please email info@wdsa.co.nz with:
your nominee's name and age
a summary of why you are nominating them
your name and contact details
Nominations close Sunday 16 August 2026.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at info@wdsa.co.nz.
Attend the NZDSA National Achievement Awards
The NZDSA National Achievement Awards will be held at Government House to celebrate award recipients from around New Zealand.
Friday 23 October 2026
Government House, Rugby Street, Wellington
2.30pm to 4.00pm
Dress: Jacket and tie / Day wear
Members of the Wellington Down Syndrome community are warmly invited to attend this special event.
If you'd like to attend the NZDSA National Achievement Awards at Government House, RSVP by 9am Friday 14 August to Melissa at rsvp@nzdsa.org.nz.
There are very limited spaces available. Tickets will be allocated to RSVPs received until all spaces are full. Please RSVP as soon as possible, as places are limited.
When you RSVP, please include:
Title
Please indicate if you have any Honour Awards and have post-nominal letters
First Name
Surname
Job Title
Organisation
Email address as Government House will email your official invitation
Mobile phone number
Special Dietary Requirements
Mobility Assistance
Government House will send confirmed guests an official invitation closer to the event.
Entry will only be allowed upon presentation of the official Government House invitation.