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.

                                                                                                   Alas next meeting 18th April

                                                                                                   next Saturday at 12 pm

                                                                                                     East Leagues Club

                                                                                                    Main Avenue

                                                                                                     Cooparoo.


                                                                                                    for more information

                                                                                                   please phone Trish

                                                                                                        0417077159.

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.

 

                                                               

                                                                        Change    of       PLANS                                                                        
                                                           
                                                                      21 st March 2015                                                                                                                          
                                                                    2nd Anniversary of the Federal Governments                                                                    
                                                                     Forced Adoption Apology                                                                                  
                                                                    We will be celebrating at The Four Mile Creek Hotel                                                
                                                                    Gympie Road , Strathpine, opposite the Westfield                            
                                                                     Shopping center. 12 pm start, everyone pays for their own                        
                                                                     food & drinks, Please wear the Apology colors                              
                                                                      a happy smiling face,ready for lots of laughter & a good              
                                                                      time.This is Not a MEETING.don't forget your Pins &                  
                                                                         PURPLE   Ribbon,need more information please phone                                        
                                                                             Trish 0417077159

                                                Hi,  everyone our Next Meeting is Saturday

                                                   March 7th       at     12 pm

                                               Four Mile Creek Hotel, Gympie Road, Strathpine.

                                               usual deal everyone pays for their own drinks /

                                               food ,also coffee & cake deal available.

                                              I have copies of photos taken during the
                                           
                                                Second  Anniversary of the

                                               Queensland Forced Adoption Apology,

                                                Roma Street Parklands last November 27 th

                                              also photos from ALAS Christmas Lunch.

                                              How are we going to celebrate on March 21 st ?

                                            Second Anniversary of the Federal Governments Forced.

                                           Adoption Apology . There are things happening in Canberra
.
                                             to  celebrate! for more information call trish 0417077159.

                                                Hi everyone tomorrows meeting has been cancelled due to the 

                         

                                             expected rain event due all day it is unsafe for people to be on

                                             roads, please phone trish for more information.0417077159.

The next meeting is Saturday 21 st of February at the Four Mile Creek Hotel , Gympie Road,

Strathpine, opposite the Westfield Shopping Center, time 11-45,everyone pays for their own food &

drinks, lots to catch up on.We will be  discussing how we will celebrate the 2 nd Anniversary of  the

Federal  Governments Forced Adoption Apology. Which is 21st March probably RSL Club,

Hamilton Road, Chermside, at 11-45. please contact Trish  0417077159  for further details. thank

you.