Welcome to VANISH
Search and support for adults impacted by adoption and family separation

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family
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workshops
About VANISH
VANISH is a Victorian-based not-for-profit organisation providing support to adults affected by past adoption practices including adopted people, mothers and fathers separated from a child through adoption and other family members. We also provide support to care leavers and donor conceived individuals.
We provide a range of free and confidential services including information and support, assistance with search and reunion, access to specialist counselling in the community through a counselling brokerage program, peer support groups, and creative workshops.
VANISH is widely respected as a lived experience-led organisation and advocate. We continue to work towards a society that honours the best interests of the child and the right to genetic identity and connection.

Personal stories
Latest news and events
Self-Care Group for Adopted People – Join us on Thursday 12th June 2025
Our theme for the June group will be: “The Gift Within”
The Gift Within offers a supportive space to explore your inner wisdom through a guided visualization and hands-on clay work. In this session, we will journey inward to meet a wise figure or higher self, who offers a personal gift or symbol—a message or image from within, meant just for you
New Dates Added: Creative Expression Program for Adoptees – Starts May 2025
Join us for a six-week Creative Expression program starting May 2025 designed especially for the adoptee community — a space to explore your inner landscape through art, movement, music, and reflection.
Using DNA to Search for Relatives
In recent years, there has been an explosion in the use of DNA for genealogical purposes and the press and social media frequently feature personal stories where DNA results enabled long lost relatives to find each other. In this article, republished from the May 2019 edition of VANISH VOICE, we share a bit more about this technology and how it may be useful in searching for family.
Get in touch with our helpful team
Contact us to find out more about our services or have a chat about how we can best support you.