11 August 2026
Next month Launceston will play host to the country’s most inspirational sporting event, as the Australian Transplant Games take place in Tasmania for the first time.
The Games celebrate a second chance of life, while also demonstrating the success of transplant surgery and promoting the need to raise public awareness of organ and tissue donation.
Held every two years, the Games see transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, carers, health professionals and supporters take part in a multitude of sports and recreational activities.
Her Excellency the Honourable Caroline Wells, Governor of Tasmania, and Dr Rob Walters RFD were today delighted to welcome Transplant Australia CEO Chris Thomas and Tasmanian Games competitors to Government House to talk about the event during an emotional and uplifting morning tea.
Fresh from taking part in the Sunshine Coast Marathon earlier this month, Hobart’s Mandy McIntyre, who underwent heart transplant surgery last year, will be competing in several events at the Games.
Joining her will be the Barrett family from Launceston, represented today by Sarah and Oliver Barrett. A donor family, their son and brother Henry became an organ donor after he passed away at the age of four in 2015 following complications from pneumonia.
Her Excellency and Dr Walters are committed to raising awareness of organ and tissue donation, and they were honoured to spend time with Sarah and Oliver, and Mandy and her husband Tony, hearing their moving transplant and donor stories.
They also discussed how important it is for all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation with their families, and wished all competitors the very best for next month’s Games.
The Australian Transplant Games will take place in Launceston from 26 September until 3 October 2026.
More details about the Australian Transplant Games are available at the website.
