Post Adoption Resource Centre

06/09/2026

We recognise that Father's Day can be a day where feelings of loss and longing surface for some in the adoption community. Often these days come heavy with the expectations of others on how you should be. How will you navigate the day? How will you care for yourself if you are experiencing difficult emotions? Can you create some space to allow the emotions to surface, to give them space, to tend to the hurt parts you carry? Remember to reach out for help if you feel overwhelmed.

If you are struggling and need help please reach out for support to these 24/7 helplines:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14

Su***de Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78

13YARN: 13 92 76

02/09/2026

The NSW Memorial Consultative Committee & Department of Communities and Justice invite you to attend the formal unveiling of the Stolen Hearts Broken Bonds memorial acknowledging the NSW Apology for past Forced Adoption practices.

The memorial represents and acknowledges the pain and loss for mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and families affected by past practices that have had lasting trauma for generations.

The memorial will provide a permanent place of recognition, reflection, and remembrance for survivors and will stand as a lasting testament to truth, remembrance, and healing and as
a memorial for those no longer with us.

This memorial is a significant milestone in acknowledging these experiences.

Event details

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026

Time: Arrive from 10am for a 10.30am start

Venue: Open Air Pavilion adjacent to The Green, Parramatta North Precinct

Address: 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151

Morning tea will be provided at the conclusion of formalities.

For more details and to RSVP, visit the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/nsw-forced-adoption-memorial-unveiling

Please RSVP by Friday 11 September 2026.

If you are unable to attend the Forced Adoption Memorial Unveiling in person, you can watch the event online via Microsoft Teams.
Livestream link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/411303038729182?p=jOgZ5uoUgkBc5KHifn

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You may be placed in a waiting area until the livestream begins. Please remain on the page and you will be admitted when the event is ready to commence.

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For all inquiries please contact [email protected]

28/08/2026

PARC recently hosted social work student Eirlys Grice for her final University field placement. Eirlys undertook a Men's Voices Project for PARC while she was with the team.

The aim of the project was to engage with men who are an under-represented cohort in the post adoption sector and look at their experience of adoption, barriers to accessing support and what they have found helpful in their adoption journey. The project had 3 main methods for engagement; an anonymous survey, individual interviews and focus groups.

Eirlys was supported by the team to undertake this work and in particular by PARC Counselor and the student supervisor, Sarah King.

The collation of the findings has been produced into a PARC resource which we think can be of benefit for anyone considering post adoption support.

Thank you to each of the men who engaged in this work with us. We thank each of you for your time and generosity in sharing so openly with Eirlys and the team about your experience of adoption and accessing support.

The resource, 'Listening to Adopted Voices; Insights from Lived Experience' is now available on our website for anyone to access. Please have a read and feel free to share with others who you think may benefit from this important work.

https://www.benevolent.org.au/ArticleDocuments/199/Adopted%20Voices%20-%20Lived%20Experience%20Resource%20Booklet.pdf.aspx

11/08/2026

Do you live in Melbourne? Are you an intercountry adoptee? If yes to these questions, then you are encouraged to register to attend the upcoming Melbourne Wellbeing Workshop.

The session will be facilitated by fellow intercountry adoptee, certified breath worker and master coach, Nicky Hammond. This is an in-person event.

When: Sunday 30th August, 10.30am - 4pm
Where: Thornbury, Melbourne - full address provided upon RSVP
Cost: FREE

Register via the link: https://nickyhammondlifecoachingschedule.as.me/melbourne

The session includes:
Social connection & food
Trauma informed breathwork
Facilitated reflection and discussion

This event is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and received through Relationships Australia South Australia, Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service (ICAFSS)

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Nicky directly via email: [email protected]

10/08/2026

Do you live in or near Canberra? Are you an intercountry adoptee? If yes to these questions then you are encouraged to register to attend the upcoming Canberra Wellbeing Workshop. The session will be facilitated by fellow intercountry adoptee, certified breath worker and master coach, Nicky Hammond. This is an in-person event.

When: Saturday 19th September, 2pm - 7pm
Where: Lyneham, Canberra - full address provided upon RSVP
Cost: FREE

Register via the link: https://nickyhammondlifecoachingschedule.as.me/canberra

The session includes:
Social connection & food
Trauma informed breathwork
Facilitated reflection and discussion

This event is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and received through Relationships Australia South Australia, Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service (ICAFSS)

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Nicky directly via email: [email protected]

24/07/2026

A remarkable story of two individuals working alongside each other, building a friendship and later uncovering that they are siblings separated by adoption.

PARC are involved in more and more matters where siblings are searching for each other, and we are assisting them to connect.

If you have been considering searching for family members please reach out to PARC for information on how we can assist you in your search. [email protected] or Ph: 02 9504 6788

Andrea Urmston knew she had an adopted brother, only to discover he was already her closest friend.

22/07/2026

Our next online Mother's Group will be on:

Tuesday,11th August
10am - 12pm AEST

The August theme we will be exploring is: 'Looking Back with Kindness: Wisdom, Connection and Care for my younger self.’

The online Mother's Groups are held bi-monthly, with each session focusing on a different theme. These sessions are a safe and supportive place for mothers who have been separated from their child by adoption. The sessions are jointly hosted by the NSW PARC team and the QLD PASQ team.

To register to attend please contact the PARC Team on 02 9504 6788 04 email: [email protected]

20/07/2026

The SBS program 'Insight' recently explored the topic 'DNA and Deceptions.' A number of people with an adoption experience feature in this episode.

For many with an adoption experience DNA may be the only way to find out information about family connections.

Watch Insight for free with SBS On Demand, your ultimate destination for diverse entertainment. Stream now!

08/07/2026

The recently published 'Forbidden Love' by Sophia Greenwood, an adopted person, explores the true account of meeting her biological father and falling in love. This little spoken about phenomenon is known as genetic sexual attraction and can occur between family members who have not met until adulthood and often blindsides those who experience it.

In her book Sophia speaks of the importance of being prepared when connecting with family members in the post adoption context. She highlights that having professional support that can flag some of the intensity of feelings that can arise could better support those who may experience unexpected feelings when meeting family.

Some of her experience is shared in the article below and her book 'Forbidden Love' is available online via Booktopia and Amazon.

A woman has opened up about the reality of having a baby with her biological father.

06/07/2026

Late last week the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer apologised on behalf of the British state for its role in historical forced adoptions in England and Wales.

"Sir Keir said: "Mothers, many young, vulnerable, and without support were coerced, bullied, or misled into feeling that they had no choice but to have their children taken away from them. What a thing to do."

Sir Keir said the forced adoptions were not isolated or accidental acts, but were practices "embedded" across local authorities, religious organisations and parts of what is now the NHS."

The practice saw thousands of babies taken from their mothers between 1949 and 1976.