Mother and Child Movie and August Meeting

On 22nd August our meeting will be held on a Sunday starting at 11 o'clock.
The movie, Mother and Child is showing at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre starting at 2 pm.We thought we would combine both, as a lot of mothers have shown interest in seeing the movie.

The story line is,

Mother and Child is a striking drama centered around three women whose paths will cross and change them forever;
Karen, (Annette Bening) a reserve 50 year old nurse, who was forced to give up her daughter Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) for adoption 35 years ago has grown into a single-minded career woman; and Lucy (Kerry Washington)was desperate to adopt a child of her own.
A profound and moving film about forgiveness, the choices we make, the chances we miss and the power of the unbreakable bond between a mother and child.

Bookings are essential,
We will try to make a group booking as seats are numbered, or you can contact the Cultural Centre; Phone 3283 0407.
Tickets; $6
Running time 102 minutes.
RSVP; ASAP to join us with the group booking. I have been informed tickets will go quite quickly.
Contact; Trish; 0417 077159 or Marg; 0402 336480
Please bring a plate to share for lunch.

Our Next Meeting Saturday 24th July 2010.

Our next meeting will be a north side meeting.

Detail;
12 o'clock onwards.
Please bring a plate.

Please contact;
Trish, Mobile 0417 077 159
Marg, Mobile 0402 336 480

All New Ladies Welcome.

One Year Anniversary of Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Apology.

A Luncheon was held at the Golden Ox at Redcliffe on Wednesday 9th June to celebrate 1st year anniversary of our apology.

It was nice to see the ladies and hear how the apology has had a positive effect on their personal journeys.

"Heartbreak Ward. " Sunday Truth October 24, 1965

This Newspaper article was found under some old kitchen Lino in my home.
I think it was meant for me to find, as I was one of those "wayward girls," unmarried and pregnant in October 1965.

Click on article to enlarge.

Margaret

Apology From Sisters Of Mercy WA

Great news. I found today in my letter box the attached letter, ironic that being Good Easter Friday. When I checked the mail yesterday there was nothing in my letter box. I was incarcerated at what was called St Annes Unmarried Mothers Home in 1973 ( Catholic Run) during the last four months or so of my pregnancy. The hospital at the time was called St Annes in Mt Lawley ( Perth) now know as Mercy Hospital.
I feel such relieve after all these years finally having some acknowledgment and the truth finally revealed at long last from those responsible for snatching my precious baby from me the moment of birth and put up for adoption, ( all illegal as we know) without my permission and express wishes I don't want my baby adopted out.

Yours sincerely Judith WA.

West Australia to Apologise To Unwed Mothers

the WA Australian Government is preparing to apologise to mothers and
our children for past practices - this has just been announced by Dr.
Kim Haines on ABC radio today. The Labor Party has stated if the
government is sincere about its apology it should be made by the
Premier.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2837450.htm

'Sorry' over babies taken from unwed mothers

The West Australian Government is set to become the first to publicly
apologise to mothers who were unlawfully separated from their babies
after giving birth out of wedlock.

from ABC Radio

WERE YOU BIRTHED OR SCHEDULED?

A NEW BABY? HOW EXCITING!!!!!
WHEN YOU ARE BORN,YOU HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
EVERYONE HAS ONE,DON'T THEY?
WELL,NOT EVERYONE.
IF YOU ARE ADOPTED,THE PAPERWORK, "THE CERTIFICATE" HAS THE WORD SCHEDULE ON IT,INSTEAD OF THE WORD BIRTH.
UNLESS SOMEONE POINTS IT OUT TO YOU, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW OR INDEED NOTICE THAT YOUR CERTIFICATE IS DIFFERENT TO OTHER PEOPLE'S PAPERWORK............PEOPLE,THAT IS,WHO WERE NOT BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK.

THE LAW ONLY CHANGED IN 1991, THAT ENABLED ADOPTEES AFTER OBTAINING THEIR ADOPTIVE PARENT'S WRITTEN PERMISSION,MIND YOU, TO ACCESS THEIR CORRECT RECORDS PROVIDING THERE HAD BEEN NO VETO PUT ON THE RECORDS.

A NEW BEGINNING.......HARDLY.

ACROSS THE ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS A NASTY LARGE RED RUBBER STAMP WHICH STATES, "NOT TO BE USED FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES" OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT.

OKAY, YOUR ORIGINAL CHRISTIAN NAME IS THERE, WITH THE NAME OF YOUR BIOLOGICAL MOTHER,HOWEVER, THE NAME OF YOUR BIRTH FATHER IS NEVER RECORDED, EVEN IF IT IS KNOWN.

A NEW BEGINNING.........HARDLY!!!!!!

UNTIL NOW, ADOPTEES HAD VERY LIMITED RIGHTS.

ON THE 1st FEBRUARY, 2010, NEW ADOPTION LAWS WERE LAUNCHED AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE HERE IN BRISBANE.

MORE THAN 3,000 QUEENSLANDERS WILL BE ABLE TO VIEW INFORMATION THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY BANNED FROM SEEING.

HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO ADOPTION CAMPAIGNERS, THE CHANGES ARE A "BAND-AID SOLUTION TO A BROKEN LEG" AS ADOPTEES WHO VIEW THE DOCUMENTS FIRST MUST SIGN A WAIVER SAYING THEY WILL NOT CONTACT THEIR PARENTS, OR HOLD THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PAST DECISIONS.

IT IS A NATURAL BIRTH RIGHT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

IF YOU ARE NOT AN ADOPTEE, YOU SIMPLY TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

FOR EXAMPLE;

YOU KNOW YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY, AND THAT OF YOUR FAMILY.
YOU GO TO A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, THEY ALWAYS ASK FOR YOUR FAMILY HISTORY.
MOST PEOPLE CAN RATTLE OFF THINGS, SUCH AS AUNT BESSIE HAD DIABETES, UNCLE ALF HAD DEMENTIA, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR STROKE KILLED MY FATHER.

THE LIST GOES ON.......
EVEN WHEN LIFE INSURANCE IS TAKEN OUT, THERE ARE ALWAYS QUESTIONS REGARDING FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY. THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS EFFECT YOUR PREMIUM.

THE ADOPTEE ONLY CAN SAY, "I DON'T KNOW, I AM ADOPTED".

THIS NEW LEGISLATION, WHILE MOST WELCOME DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF ADOPTEES.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION......YES.

A NEW BEGINNING........NOT REALLY.


Lorraine