The Celebrate T21 Empower Awards recognise the incredible people who educate, advocate, and empower every day within our community. Shining a spotlight on voices that inspire change. Nominations close 31st August 2025, and finalists and award recipients will be announced at the Celebrate T21 Gala Ball in Wollongong on Saturday, 25th October 2025.

Just $21 and your nomination is ready to go! This small contribution helps make the Celebrate T21 Empower Awards possible and ensures the people who educate, advocate and empower our community get the recognition they deserve. Think big—nominate family, friends, mentors, carers, or anyone whose dedication lights up our community!

The nomination categories are:

Mother of the Year
Father of the Year
Grandparent of the Year
Sibling of the Year
Advocate of the Year (with 46 chromosomes)
Advocate of the Year (with 47 chromosomes)

By nominating, you’re shining a light on stories of dedication, compassion, and the remarkable difference one person can make.

Sorry, but this form is now closed.

NOMINATION FORM

APPLICATIONS CLOSE SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2025

Nomination Fee

A$21

Nominee

First name

Last name

Birthday

Day

Month

Year

Nominee Category

I, the nominator, confirm that my nominee is over 18 years old OR if my nominee is under 18, I have permission from their parent/guardian to submit this application and photo (or I am their parent/guardian).

I, the nominator, confirm that my nominee hasn’t received a Celebrate T21 Empower Award in the past two years

In 800 words or less, share why your nominee deserves recognition with a Celebrate T21 Empower Award.

Let us know how they inspire, support, and make a positive impact in the T21 Community. (Categories: Mother, Father, Grandparent, Sibling, Advocate (with 46), Advocate (with 47))

Please upload high quality photo of your nominee

Nominator

First Name

Last Name

Relationship to Nominee

AGREEMENT:

By submitting this application I ... :

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMSThe Celebrate T21 Empower Awards are subject to these Terms & Conditions (T&C). Celebrate T21 reserves the right to update or amend the T&C without notice.

EMPOWER AWARD CRITERIA

Agree that my nominee meets the below eligibility criteria for an empower award:

Is either; an individual with Down syndrome, parent/guardian or family member of an individual with Down syndrome or directly connected with an individual with Down syndrome and/or the Down syndrome community.
Active within the T21 community
Embodies Celebrate T21's core values of educate, advocate and empower
Is of 18 years of age OR if under 18 years of age permission from parent/guardian to be nominated

NOMINATION PERIOD

Nominations are open from 17/08/2025 to 31/08/2025. Please note that submissions must be received by the closing date—no extensions will be granted—and all information should be accurate at the time of submission

SELECTION PROCESS

All nominations will be reviewed and considered by a selection panel of Celebrate T21 previous awards winners
Celebrate T21 at its discretion can choose to allocate a nominee into more than one category, should another category be deemed applicable. If this occurs, the Nominee/Nominator will be notified of this
The selection panel will determine the award recipient for 2025 and this will be announced at the Celebrate T21 Gala Ball in Wollongong on Saturday the 25^th October 2025.
Award finalists will be notified in advance and may be invited to participate in promotional activities related to the awards.

IMAGES/VIDEOS/STORY SUBMISSIONS

agree that any images, videos, stories, audio and other media submitted within this application OR in the event my nominee is selected to receive a Celebrate T21 Empower Award submitted henceforth can be used in social media campaigns, displayed on websites, blogs and other digital media run by Celebrate T21, printed campaigns and other campaigns in relation to Celebrate T21.
agree that it is a condition of accepting any award, that the winner agrees to be photographed, interviewed and/or film for use in any promotional, marketing or other creative initiative arranged by the Celebrate T21 or its agents
agree and understand that any images, videos, or other content created by or submitted to Celebrate T21 for use in its projects and campaigns must not be shared with, or used by, other Down syndrome or disability-related groups, companies, or organisations for their own promotional purposes

ACCURATE INFORMATION

confirm that all the information I have included in this form is true and accurate as of the date of submission.
understand that I am responsible for keeping Celebrate T21 informed of any changes to the details given.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

acknowledge that all personal information provided in the nomination form will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating the nominations and administering the awards.
acknowledge that Celebrate T21 is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of nominators and nominees. Personal information will not be shared with third parties without consent, except as required by law.