Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland

18/06/2026

Breaking news from the UK ...

An apology will be issued on behalf of the state over the historic practice, the education secretary says.

17/06/2026

If you're impacted by adoption, and at a loose end tonight, then please join us for our SS JIGSAW Cyber Social Session on Zoom from 6pm to 8pm.

It's a virtual social gathering not a support group.

We'll introduce ourselves, explore a few questions to get to know each other, and meet other people impacted by adoption. 🤝

No need to dress up. No need to drive anywhere. Just connect from the comfort of our own homes.

If you'd like to give this a try, just send an email to [email protected] so we can sign you up and send you the Zoom link.

16/06/2026

Healing Through Art ' The Broken Bonds Fractured Lives' Project

Today’s episode of Jigsaw Queensland's Adopt Perspective is a little different – and incredibly special.

We’re joined by Louise Kirk, a mother impacted by Australia’s Forced Adoption Era, to talk about 'Broken Bonds, Fractured Lives' – a moving musical testimony that is transforming stories of love, loss and separation into performance, music and public truth-telling.

As a teenager in the 1970s, Louise was coerced into the adoption of her six-month-old son and has lived with the consequences ever since. Today, she supports others and is helping ensure these stories are not forgotten.

This episode is a reminder that history is not just found in archives or reports. It lives in people, in families and, in this case, on the stage.

The project is also looking for more men affected by forced adoption to become involved by sharing their stories and potentially performing in the production.
If you care about adoption, lived experience, social justice or the healing power of storytelling, we hope you’ll listen and share.

Did you know that you can now watch the episodes on Spotify and YouTube? And listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Deezer, Castbox, Amazon, Overcast and here: https://jigsawqueensland.com/podcast

To find out more about the Broken Bonds Fractured Lives Project email [email protected]

15/06/2026

Thank you David Batty for sharing your story of reunion and challenging the dominant social narrative that all reunions have a fairytale ending.

Your article talks so eloquently about the complex nature of adoption grief and loss, the multitude of circumstances that affect our ability to connect with family, and the remarkable experience of seeing ourselves in photos of family members.

We agree that dealing with adoption loss is a lifelong process which is why we created our online Fathers and Sons Group for men impacted by adoption. The group began in November 2025 and has grown in popularity so much that we've had to make a wait list for tonight's session!!! 😍

We hope that every man impacted by adoption who is reading this post will also read your article. 🤞

Thirty years after my parents were pressured into placing me with an adoption agency, I finally reconnected with them. But it was nothing like the neat stories you see on TV

14/06/2026

Thank you Shane Bouel for sharing your experience and wisdom - so many poignant insights, including the importance of feeling the grief associated with adoption. We also want to acknowledge your fierce advocacy on behalf of people impacted by adoption. 😍💪

13/06/2026

Thank you to the people who've already submitted an application for Small Grant funding. 😍

Applications close on 30 June 2026.

As Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service provider, we're partnering with as many individuals and agencies as possible to maximise investment in capacity building and group healing for people in Queensland impacted by adoption.

If you want to know more, please phone us on 07 3358 6666 to ask questions and request a copy of the guidelines or email [email protected]

The Small Grants Program is a component of funding for the Forced Adoption Support Service (FASS). FASS was established in 2015 and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

The Small Grants Program aims to build sector capacity and enhance group healing for people impacted by forced adoption.

Small Grants funding can be used for a range of activities that promote well-being for people impacted by forced adoption, such as:

- Capacity-building opportunities focussed on healing, such as training that is appropriate and relevant to assisting people affected by forced adoption.

- Retreats, including facilitation costs, materials, activities, accommodation and meals for participants and facilitators.

- Forced adoption-related group facilitation costs, including the cost to engage a facilitator.

- Forced adoption-related group therapy costs, including the cost of engaging a therapist.

- Workshops and group activities to support healing and peer support.

- Production of memorials, statues, plaques and exhibitions, editing and publishing of books (where there is no profit made by the author, publisher or organisation), cataloguing and digitising of records, development of online material and videos including temporary hire of professionals.

- Venue and group meeting costs for support and information activities.

12/06/2026

Are you your own toughest critic?

Do you set demanding standards for yourself?

Do you worry about letting others down, being judged, or getting criticised?

In her latest publication - How to be Enough - Dr Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist and anxiety specialist, explores seven life-changing steps for self-critics, overthinkers and perfectionists.

It’s a clear, straightforward discussion about self perception, the different types of perfectionism, and how we develop perfectionistic tendencies.

Dr Hendriksen takes a deep dive into seven elements of perfectionism and alternative ways of thinking, which are easy to apply:

- Criticism to kindness
- Labels to values
- Rules to flexibility
- Mistakes – holding on to letting go
- Procrastination to productivity
- Comparison to contentment
- Control to authenticity.

These headings don’t do justice to the meaningful way in which the author discusses the core concepts. It’s the kind of book that you can come back to again and again, working through one element at a time.

If you're an adoptee who resides in Queensland and you'd like a FREE copy of this book, email us at [email protected] with your name, postal address and a brief statement explaining why this book interests you.

We only have five books to give away so email us soon so you don't miss out!

This book giveaway is made possible through a generous donation from a member of our Jigsaw Queensland community. ⭐

11/06/2026

As a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity we rely on different income sources to continue our work.

One vital source of funding is donations.

With the financial year coming to an end, it's a great time to donate to Jigsaw Queensland Incorporated because any amount you give over $2 can be claimed as a deduction on your tax return for 2025-2026.

No amount is too small. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

Every dollar we receive is spent on empowering people to understand, and heal from, the impact of adoption.

You can donate using PayPal or online banking. Here's a link to our website with the relevant details:

https://www.jigsawqueensland.com/blank-ke6yx

If you have any questions just pick up the phone - 07 3358 6666 - or email [email protected].

10/06/2026

Our SS JIGSAW Cyber Social Session in April was such a hit that we've decided to do it again.

We'd love you to join us on Zoom from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 18 June 2026.

It will be a social gathering online - not a support group.

We'll introduce ourselves, explore a few questions to get to know each other, and meet other people impacted by adoption. 🤝

No need to dress up. No need to drive anywhere. Just connect from the comfort of our own homes.

If you'd like to give this a try, just send an email to [email protected] so we can sign you up and send you the Zoom link.

09/06/2026

There is often a gap between the way Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is marketed and the reality experienced by the people most affected by it.

The public narrative is usually one of hope, choice, generosity and creating families. These are important parts of the story. But they are not the whole story.

In this reel from Jigsaw Queensland's latest Adopt Perspective episode, we explore the tension between the promise of donor conception and the lived experiences of some donor-conceived people who are now asking difficult questions about identity, family, origins and belonging.

As lived expertise advocate and creator of Origin Archives, Katherine Dawson says, it is important that we make space for all perspectives - not just those of intended parents, fertility clinics and policymakers, but also those of the people created through these arrangements.

The conversation around ART is often framed as a success story. This episode invites us to consider the complexities that can sit alongside that story.

Did you know that you can now watch the episodes on Spotify and YouTube? And listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Deezer, Castbox, Amazon, Overcast and here: https://jigsawqueensland.com/podcast

You can listen to Katherine's podcast, Origin Archives on all leading podcast apps and visit her Origin Archives website at https://www.evielucas.com/originarchives

The peak body for donor conceived people in Australia is www.donorconceivedaustralia.org.au