Monday, April 13, 2015

 
                                                                  Alas members are mourning the loss of                                                        
                                                                  Bev Kirkland, who lost her 4 year battle                                          
                                                                 with cancer on Friday night.                                                                                                                  
                                                               Bev was always a bright, cheerful, happy                                                            
                                                                person who lit up the room.                                                                                                
                                                               Bev's  funeral  will be on Friday 17 th April,                                  
                                                               at Great Southern Memorial Park,,                                      
                                                           
                                                                 1774-1794 Mt Cotton Road, Carbrook.                                        
                                                                 please  wear something  PINK.                                            
                               
                                                                   Breast Cancer donation envelopes will be available.                                
                                         
                                                                  R I P   Bev you were taken far too young,                                  
                                                                   We will miss you.

Friday, April 10, 2015




                                                                                                   Alas next meeting 18th April

                                                                                                   next Saturday at 12 pm

                                                                                                     East Leagues Club

                                                                                                    Main Avenue

                                                                                                     Cooparoo.


                                                                                                    for more information

                                                                                                   please phone Trish

                                                                                                        0417077159.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Opening of Without Consent Exhibition at National Archives 30th March 2015




I was privileged to attend the formal opening of Without Consent Exhibition in Canberra at the National Archives with my daughter Claire.The Archives sent out a media release for the formal opening. On the day, ABC and Channel 7 news were there. As I watched for this to be aired either the same night or the next day, all I could find was ABC news played the interview at 5 30am the next day  31st March. Very disappointing for an event that affected over one million people in Australia and that our former Prime Minister Julia Gillard opened.
 Senator Claire Moore was also there and it was good to see her.
Julia Gillard gave a very compassionate speech and was as always a grand lady. Former Family Court Judge Nahum Mushin who was on the national forced adoption advisory committee, called on the federal government to renew money for support services due to expire in 2017. He also said that forced adoption was illegal. He said Australia needed uniform adoption laws and that the country should consider abandoning the practice altogether. Prof Mushin also denounced bilateral agreements on ontercountry adoption with countries not signatories to the Hague convention, questioning whether it was in the best interests of the children.
The exhibition was very good. It showed the experiences of young girls from the start of their pregnancies through to adoption. It showed quotes from mothers and  adopted people as well as fathers and family members. I was pleased to see the replica of St Mary's gates. Many mothers passed through this home which was in Toowong Brisbane.I myself was one.
The exhibition is on display at the National Archives until July 19, 2015.
Many thanks to Amy Lay and all the team who worked very hard and many long hours to have this ready. Well done!
Margaret Oakhill-Hamilton.