[PDFlist] Sad news

Sun Mar 19 21:35:07 MDT 2017

Kia ora Seta and PDF Colleagues

This is a terribly sad time for us all. Deaf Aotearoa has posted this tribute to Elena today:

NZSL video: https://youtu.be/BkL9MX-Nt3M

The staff and Executive Board of Deaf Aotearoa are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Elena Down.

Elena was a tireless advocate for the advancement of the rights of Deaf people, her work extending worldwide through her roles as Senior Technical Advisor for CBM Australia and as the Human Rights Officer for the World Federation of the Deaf.

Elena was recently in Samoa at the Pacific Regional Conference on Disability, where she chaired a workshop on Deaf Communities in the Pacific.  She was admired and respected throughout the region for her knowledge and experience in disability inclusive development.

Elena was part of the WFD contingent that travelled to Wellington in 2016 to take part in celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of New Zealand Sign Language Week.

We are forever indebted to Elena for her work and we extend our deepest sympathies to Elena's family, colleagues and friends at this sad time.

Take care everyone.

Lachlan

Deaf Aotearoa
Lachlan Keating | Chief Executive
Level 3 Aviation House 12 Johnston Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone 04 979 8938 | Mobile 021 540 172 | Web www.deaf.org.nz
Book a NZSL interpreter
0800 934 683bookings at isign.co.nz
From: PDFlist [mailto:pdflist-bounces at lists.pacificdisability.org] On Behalf Of Setareki Macanawai
Sent: Sunday, 19 March 2017 8:22 PM
To: pdflist at lists.pacificdisability.org
Subject: [PDFlist] FW: Sad news
Importance: High

Bula PDF Members, Partners and Family

Shocking and sad news shared by CBM Australia below in the untimely passing of our dear friend, great colleague and yet another of our champions in the disability movement in the Pacific - Ms. Elena Downe of Australia. Those of us who attended the recent 5th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability in Apia, Samoa last month would have met Elena representing CBM Australia and witnessed how passionately she was advocating for the rights, aspirations, inclusion of deaf persons in the Pacific. Those of us who also worked closely with Elena in Christian outreach work to persons with disabilities would be well familiar too with Elena's passion, commitment and faith!

We miss you Elena! Just as PDF looks forward to greater, bigger and better things for deaf persons in the Pacific, working with you and CBM Australia, world Federation of the Deaf, Deaf Oceania and sign language interpreters association in the region, and now you are no longer with us! May your soul rest in peace!

Seta

Setareki S. Macanawai
Chief Executive Officer

Pacific Disability Forum
Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade  |  GPO Box 18458  |  Suva, Fiji

Phone: (+679) 3312008  |  (+679) 3307530
Mobile: (+679) 9921486 (Vodaphone)  |  (+679) 7082891(Digicel)
Fax: (+679) 3310469
Skype: setareki.macanawai
Email: ceo at pacificdisability.org<mailto:ceo at pacificdisability.org>
Website: www.pacificdisability.org<http://www.pacificdisability.org>

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From: Raine Dixon [mailto:RDixon at cbm.org.au]
Sent: 19 March, 2017 2:48 PM
To: Setareki Macanawai
Subject: Sad news

Dear Seta

I tried to call earlier but was unable to reach you.

It is with deep sadness that I advise you that our colleague, Elena Down, died yesterday en route to a workshop International Disability Alliance in Geneva.

Elena, as you know, was a much-loved and highly regarded colleague both here in Australia and internationally with our many partner organisations. She has been particularly committed to working with the deaf community, including through the World Federation of the Deaf, and has been a passionate advocate for disability inclusive development. We are getting in touch with close colleagues of Elena's today as the news is already travelling and we are taking the necessary steps to support staff in the coming days.

Do feel free to share this news with colleagues as you feel appropriate.

Please keep Elena's family particularly and the team here in your prayers.

With thanks
Raine

Raine Dixon
Director | Inclusive Development Department

cbm 56 Rutland Road, Box Hill VIC 3128
* Phone: +61 3 8843 4403 * Fax: +61 3 8843 4545 * www.cbm.org.au<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http://www.cbm.org.au/&c=E,1,usNd7Hfi6hv68hBxuZeaQvs6RMfAV3-BxU7S5xpmN-RaY5Xcsfs1w_HvhwU59Vay-EbjJTXNN_W86F_g9PFGAstSam01JyrvjIAlJ-U8tNb_DToqp8PvrmjU&typo=1>

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