About Us
Jigsaw was established in Australia and New Zealand in 1976 and was incorporated in Queensland in 1988. We have assisted over 17,000 people in their search for their biological heritage … and many more who were not actively engaged in the process of searching or seeking reunion. In fact, one growing element of our membership in more recent years has been those who are well down the path of reunion who consciously seek to understand and know themselves better.
Jigsaw Queensland is a non-profit, member-based organisation relying on trained volunteer helpers to provide a range of services to all those affected by adoption. We rely on membership and donations from individuals, business and government to achieve our objectives and to help us provide ongoing services to our members and the community at large.
We can particularly help adults over the age of 18 years who were adopted in Queensland, but all enquiries are welcome and are treated with confidentiality and the utmost respect for the needs of the enquirer.
Connections to other adoption organisations or referral to adoption specialists can also be provided.
Why we are here ...
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Early in December 2006 some representatives of Jigsaw met with members of the Adoption Services team in the Department of Child Safety to exchange information on what we are each doing. It was a salutary reminder of how important the work of Jigsaw is.
The Department currently receives on average over 50 applications for information each month. Last year, for example, it processed 549 applications; in 2001 there were over 778 applications for information. Jigsaw itself averages more than 50 inquiries each month via the phone, mail and email.
Since 1991 when the legislation was introduced to open adoption records, 15,249 applications have been received for identifying information, while there were only 3,101 objections to contact and information or just contact.
Most of these objections were placed in the early 1990s. Australia-wide, there were only 58 objections - or vetoes as they are called in the other states which have them - lodged in 2005-2006. In the past five years in Queensland, the total number of objections in place has declined by 3 per cent. In that same period, the total number of requests for information increased by 18 per cent.
Perhaps, the times are changing, but it is still cold comfort for those who have an objection in place.
We could say that these are just figures, but we know from experience that behind each of these numbers is a unique individual who has chosen to confront the intellectual and emotional challenges that are part of adoption.
That is why we are here … to provide information and support to the still increasing community of individuals who have sought, or who are contemplating seeking, information about their families of origin.
Trevor Jordan, Jigsaw President.
All statements made within this page with regard to legislation and adoption rights are in regard to Queensland, Australia State Adoption Legislation only
