Making a Difference for 48 Years

On 29 February 2024, Special Olympics Australia celebrated 48 years of bringing joy, sport and inclusion to people with intellectual disability/autism.

Why this day? On 29 February 1976 – a leap day – Dr John Day was presented with a medal by Special Olympics global headquarters which he gifted to our archives with this note:

"I was presented with this medal in honour of members of the Gold Coast community who started Special Olympics in Australia."

It’s the earliest piece of evidence that Special Olympics officially existed in Australia, and we have long recognised this unique date as our birthday.

In response to a social post announcing our milestone, mum Carmel Jackson said:

“I hate to think what Therese and Anthony would have done without the wonderful friends and volunteers they have met over 33-years in Special Olympics and the skills and sports they have been able to enjoy along the way. Happy Birthday Special Olympics Australia.”

In 2006, at the 30-year anniversary celebration of Special Olympics Australia, Dr John Day presented his precious medal to Queensland athlete Clarke Hampton to place into our archives. Overseeing the presentation is Rex Langthorne AM who was CEO of Special Olympics Australia at the time. Rex can be seen proudly wearing his limited-edition 30-year anniversary pin which was presented to him at a spectacular awards evening during the 2006 National Games on the Gold Coast.

In addition to Dr John Day's medal presentation, we were also delighted to receive this message from Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver:

I salute all volunteers who have been crucial to the success of Special Olympics in Australia over the past thirty years and I also salute athletes during this Special Olympics Australia National Games. What a joy for families of your great nation. May the spirit of sport continue to produce great gains for Special Olympics Australia.