Eastern Health is seeking to engage an artist to commission artwork for commemorative plaques to acknowledge historical forced adoptions practices. A commemorative plaque will be placed at all Eastern Health sites.

Forced adoption refers to past practices that aimed to separate mothers from their babies. These practices predominantly took place between the 1950s and 1970s but also occurred outside of this time period. Eastern Health recognises that forced adoption practices were wrong and caused immense grief and trauma to mothers, adoptees, fathers and other family members.

Eastern Health is in the process of reflecting on involvement in historical forced adoptions policies and practices and is developing an apology.  Eastern Health has established a time limited working group to support development of the apology and creation of a commemorative plaque.  The working group includes members of the forced adoption community.

The commemorative plaques are recognised as a key step towards ensuring public recognition of Eastern Health’s involvement in historical forced adoption practices and the trauma and grief caused. The commemorative plaques are a vital step to welcoming members of the community who have experience significant trauma and to support healing.   

The art needs to support a safe and welcoming environment and promote healing.  It needs to resonate with all those affected by forced adoption including mothers, adoptees, fathers and family members.  It is important that the art is inclusive of all cultures affected by forced adoption including First Nations people.  

Eastern Health would like to provide the opportunity for an artist from the forced adoption community to design the artwork for the commemorative plaques.  This will involve the Artist designing and delivering a 2D image which Eastern Health will then incorporate into commemorative plaques. The budget for this project is $2500.

The project is required to be completed by 30 November 2025.

Artists interested in this commissioning appointment are requested to write a brief expression of interest email addressing the key selection criteria addressed to Verity Speed, Director Consumer Partnerships and Experience, verity.speed@easternhealth.org.au and provide a link to a portfolio of their past works. For more information on the project please email Verity.

 

Background Information

To guide the artist, the following information is provided:

  1. It is anticipated commemorative plaques will be located in the entrances to all Eastern Health sites in visible areas to those accessing the services.
  2. Commemorative plaques to be approximately 12×15 inches
  3. Commemorative plaque to incorporate artist image as well as wording. Wording to be provided by Eastern Health.

 

Key Selection Criteria

The artist is required to meet the following key selection criteria:

  1. A connection to the Forced Adoption Community e.g. mother, adoptee, father, family member impacted by forced adoption practices.
  2. Express/illustrate a vision for healing that:
  • resonates with all those affected by forced adoption, including mothers, adoptees, fathers and family members, and supports recognition of the trauma and grief caused by forced adoption.
  • is inclusive of all cultures affected by forced adoption including First Nations people.

Note, images of babies do not always resonate with adult adoptees so should be avoided.

  1. Demonstrate capability to work with clients in a positive and consultative manner.
  2. Must be able to meet the commissioning artwork timeline, for all completed art by the end of November 2025.
  3. It would be desirable for the artist to feel a connection to Eastern Health.

 

Application Process

Artists are invited to express their interest by submitting:

  • A brief email responding to the selection criteria above to Verity Speed, Director Consumer Partnerships and Experience, verity.speed@easternhealth.org.au
  • Include a link or examples of previous work.
  • Artists are welcome to contact Verity to discuss the proposal on 0413 095 323.
  • All expressions of interest must be received by Monday 8 September 2025.

The expressions of interest will be shortlisted and reviewed by a panel at Eastern Health.