PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Penny Mackieson was born in Melbourne in 1963. Placed with her adoptive family as a newborn, she was raised in the Buchan district of eastern Victoria. Penny completed Bachelor (1983) and Master's (1989) degrees in Social Work at Melbourne University, and has since worked primarily in the children and family services sector, including child protection and intercountry adoption. For much of her career, Penny was employed by the Victorian government. She also successfully co-founded and operated a human services consultancy with a close friend and former colleague for five years. After 12 years in intercountry adoption, Penny resigned at the end of 2013, dismayed by the re-popularisation of adoption and popularisation of overseas anonymous donor IVF and commercial surrogacy practices. She subsequently joined VANISH, the Victorian Adoption Network for Information & Self-Help, which assisted and supported her in 1997-98 to search for and contact her maternal family of origin. Penny has been serving on the VANISH Committee of Management since 2014, and is currently in the process of enrolling to undertake doctoral studies on permanent care. Penny resides with her partner, now married for 26 years, and their 20-year-old son in inner Melbourne. They are currently renovating a house within walking distance of the iconic MCG. Penny is passionate about Australian football and especially about Melbourne Football Club, of which she has been a lifelong fan and hardcore member since 1998. Penny co-wrote her first non-fiction book, Real Women Love Footy published in 2003, with another friend passionate about football. Dr Penny Zagarelou-Mackieson is an Australian author who lives with her husband and their son in inner Melbourne. Penny attained social work qualifications from the University of Melbourne and worked for three decades primarily in the child and family services sector. Penny's PhD research explored Permanent Care Orders for children in Victoria's child protection and out-of-home care system. Penny was adopted in Victoria as a newborn in 1963 and ' de-adopted' in 2022. Penny served from 2014 to 2019 on the board of VANISH Inc., a community-based organisation providing search and support services Penny Mackieson was born in Melbourne in 1963. Placed with her adoptive family as a newborn, she was raised in the Buchan district of eastern Victoria. Penny completed Bachelor (1983) and Master's (1989) degrees in Social Work at Melbourne University, and has since worked primarily in the children and family services sector, including child protection and intercountry adoption. For much of her career, Penny was employed by the Victorian government. After 12 years in intercountry adoption, Penny resigned at the end of 2013, dismayed by the re-popularization of adoption and popularization of overseas anonymous donor IVF and commercial surrogacy practices. Penny co-wrote her first nonfiction book, Real Women Love Footy published in 2003, with another friend passionate about football.
Dr Zagarelou-Mackieson has written an important and gripping tale of her journey out of the adoption labyrinth and her heroic determination and compassion shines through at every turn. A must-read for every person who has ever wondered what all the fuss about being adopted is and who loves a good Australian yarn, albeit one that is stranger than fiction; an incredible true story written with courage, compassion, humour and flair. Greek, Actually also comes with a wealth of information that will be an invaluable resource for students looking to understand Australia’s complex and cruel adoption history. —Dr Catherine Lynch JD, Adoptee Rights Australia, Inc
The Loneliest Whale in the World...
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