20 April – 29 July 2018 -
Without Consent: Australia’s past adoption practices examines, through the contributions of people affected by Australia’s forced adoptions policies and practices, what happens when social expectations, morality and authority collide.
It is estimated that 250,000 Australians were affected by the policies and practices of forced adoption, with most adoptions occurring between 1950 and 1975. The policies saw unmarried mothers forced, pressured or coerced to give up their children rather than bear the shame and social stigma of pregnancy and birth outside marriage. Such pregnancies were shrouded in secrecy and the mothers hidden away until the post-partum period, when they were expected to return home, forget about their babies and get on with their lives.
They did not forget.
This exhibition will be launched on Saturday 21 April 2018 at 10.30am. The launch of this exhibition will be followed by a free morning tea.
This exhibition is on display from 20 April 2018 – 29 July 2018 and is free to view.