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Content warning: This page discusses forced adoption practices and the ongoing impacts on mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and families.
The NSW Forced Adoption Memorial is a permanent place of remembrance, reflection and acknowledgement for people affected by past forced adoption practices.
For many mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and families, the impacts of forced adoption have been lifelong and intergenerational. The memorial recognises the grief, loss, trauma and silence experienced by those whose lives were changed and honours the strength of people who have continued to speak, remember and advocate for acknowledgement.
On 20 September 2012, then NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell formally apologised to people affected by forced adoption practices, acknowledging the trauma inflicted by past state policies and institutions. On 11 September 2014, the NSW Legislative Council passed a motion calling for an annual day of recognition of forced adoption practices and the construction of a public memorial to commemorate the 2012 NSW Apology.
The NSW Government committed to establishing a permanent public memorial to commemorate the formal apology. The purpose of the memorial is to create a place of active remembrance and acknowledgement for mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and families with lived experience of forced adoption.
The memorial reflects the commitments made in the NSW Government’s 2012 apology, which acknowledged that the traumatic effects of forced adoption practices echoed through the lives of tens of thousands of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and families, and apologised to those living with ongoing grief and pain.
This memorial responds to many years of advocacy by people with lived experience. It creates a public place where what happened can be acknowledged, where memories can be held with care, and where people can reflect in their own way..
The memorial is in the Parramatta North precinct; a place connected to broader histories of institutional harm affecting women and children.
Its location provides a quiet and respectful setting for remembrance. The memorial invites people to pause, reflect and acknowledge the lasting impacts of forced adoption practices across families and generations.
The artwork gives physical form to remembrance. It reflects themes of separation, loss, resilience and connection, while recognising that the experiences of people affected by forced adoption are deeply personal and cannot be reduced to a single story.
The memorial also honours the long advocacy of mothers, sons, daughters, families and supporters who worked to ensure this history is not forgotten.
People with lived experience have been central to the creation of the NSW Forced Adoption Memorial.
Their advocacy, stories and guidance have shaped the purpose and meaning of the memorial. Their voices continue to remind us that forced adoption is not only a matter of history, it continues to affect people, families and communities today.
Artist: Christopher Conder
Material: Carrara marble, powder-coated aluminium and concrete
Commissioned by: NSW Memorial Consultative Committee
STOLEN HEARTS • BROKEN BONDS
This sculpture is dedicated to the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and families affected by historical forced adoption practices in New South Wales.
For many mothers, the separation from their babies left lifelong grief and longing. For many sons and daughters, the loss of family connection created wounds that shape lives, identities and relationships across generations.
By telling their stories and seeking recognition, these experiences were brought into the public record, leading to formal apologies by the NSW Government on 20 September 2012 and the Australian Federal Government on 21 March 2013.
We acknowledge the grief, resilience and strength of all who lived through these experiences.
May this place stand as a lasting testament to truth, remembrance and healing and as a memorial for those no longer with us.
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