Tasmania’s Matt Hoori and Texan resident Charlie French are the joint winners of the World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) 2022 logo competition.
Ruth Faragher, who is a member of the WDSC organising committee, announced the winners at Government House in Canberra as part of the celebrations for World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March.
Ms Faragher, who also has Down syndrome, said she was proud to announce the winners of the competition on such a special day.
“It was a big moment for me. I was excited to speak in front of such a large audience that included the Governor-General and announce the winners,” she said.
“I can’t wait for the World Down Syndrome Congress in 2022. I’m really happy that people with Down syndrome are being so involved already.”
Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) chief executive Dr Ellen Skladzien said the winning logo brings together two creative minds from opposite sides of the world.
“Down Syndrome Australia will host the Congress in Brisbane in 2022, so we invited people with Down syndrome from around the world to come up with a logo for the event,” Dr Skladzien said.
"We developed a detailed information pack for people interested in the logo competition, and we asked entrants to design a logo that would reflect the themes of happiness, connection, community, and shine. We also wanted a logo that was simple and memorable.
"We had six people on the judging panel, including two people with Down syndrome.
“Our judges were especially impressed with the concepts put forward by Matt Hoori and Charlie French.
“When we put those two entries together, we knew we had an outstanding design,” Dr Skladzien said.
“My logo means to be happy and to be in the community, shining like the sun,” said Matt Hoori.
“Eye contact connects me to everybody. I thought about it a lot and made seven drawings and picked my favourite one.”
Charlie French said he is happy to be a co-winner with Matt.
"I liked working on this logo because I could pick happy colours: blues and golds and whites. I thought about the sun and the ocean. I love weather. I love to be happy. This project was fun."
Down Syndrome International (DSi) executive director Andrew Boys said the winning logo expresses the excitement and the ethos of World Down Syndrome Congress, which DSi organises every two years.
"The WDSC is an unmatched opportunity for people with Down syndrome, families, advocates, professionals and researchers to meet, share knowledge, insight and experience with others from different countries and environments around the world. Those who attend once rarely miss it again.
"I am very pleased to see how the 2022 Congress in Brisbane is taking shape, guided by Down Syndrome Australia," Mr Boys said.
"Down Syndrome Australia is involving people with Down syndrome from the very beginning in planning and organising the 2022 Congress."
Media contact, Dominic O’Grady: dominic.ogrady@downsyndrome.org.au M: +61 0400 110 169
