WELCOME TO VANISH Inc.
LOCATED in Melbourne with members in all parts of Australia, VANISH is funded by the Victorian State Government through the Department of Human Services.
SERVICES are currently available to those who have a personal experience of separation from family of origin:
• People affected by adoption - adopted persons, birth parents, birth relatives, adult children of adopted people and adoptive parents.
• People affected by donor conception.
• Forgotten Australians - former wards of state and/or those who were voluntarily placed in institutions or foster care in Victoria.
Commencing January 18, 2010, services for Forgotten Australians are available through Open Place, Suite 1, 8 Bromham Place, RICHMOND Vic 3121. Please ring 1800 779 379 or 03 9421 6162 for advice about access to professional counselling, obtaining your Wardship or ‘care’ records, Travel Reunion Funds, Social and Support Groups, health services and the Life Skills’ program.
On behalf of Open Place, VANISH will continue to perform searches for the family members of Forgotten Australians. If you, as a Forgotten Australian, have any queries regarding a current search for a family member, please contact VANISH on (03) 9328 8611 or info@vanish.org.au. If you are interested in searching for family, obtaining your records or meeting family, please contact the Records & Reunions worker at Open Place on 1800 779 379 or 03 9421 6162 or info@openplace.org.au
Services are free to individuals who were adopted and/or were in ‘out of home care’ in Victoria. There are however, costs associated with obtaining relevant certificates, files and records. VANISH extends its services to persons from interstate and overseas for a small fee.
VANISH a community organisation based on the self-help model, offers a support service that aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions. Most staff members have a personal experience of separation from family of origin and so are able to empathise with service users and offer appropriate assistance and support.
PRIVACY anonymity and needs of service users are respected at all times.