Projects

There is a kind of sadness and longing, yet some optimism in the music, and the song ends in a peaceful manner, that drive having been satisfied.

'As a 65 year old adopted person who tried for many years to track down his biological parents, I can identify with the profound curiosity that donor conceived individuals experience about theirs. I eventually found my mother at the age of 40. Having become a sperm donor, I was therefore very open to meeting my donor children if they wished, and was delighted to be contacted by Kim Buck, the curator of this exhibition, in November 2017 (and subsequently by several others). As an unexpected bonus, DNA matching also led indirectly to the discovery of my father and many previously unknown relatives at that time. This has all been, understandably, a very emotional experience. It led to an explosion of musical creativity, with the composition of several piano songs, one of which is called DC. The repeated introduction represents the recurring drive to satisfy an almost biological need to understand one’s genetic origin. There is a kind of sadness and longing, yet some optimism in the music, and the song ends in a peaceful manner, that drive having been satisfied.' - Professor Daniel Roos, donor

Professor Roos's musical composition can be found here.

A need was identified for the children to grow up understanding that there were other children who were donor-conceived

The Miracles Group was established in 2007 by a group of single mothers with donor-conceived children. A need was identified for the children to grow up understanding that there were other children who were donor-conceived. It originally was a playgroup, but as some of the children developed firm friendships over the years, the group continued even after they were school aged. The Miracles Group is open to all single women with donor-conceived children, regardless of which clinic or method was used. The group meets regularly throughout the year and sometimes has weekends away.

This industry immorally separated my father and I, but now we have a chance to salvage what we were deprived of in the first years of my life. I am so happy I have found him.

This poem/dramatic monologue is a personal artistic account directed to my biological father; it harkens back to and takes significant inspiration from Sylvia Plath’s poem, ‘Daddy’. I was told of my true conception at fourteen, which clarified the lack of connection between myself and my mother’s then husband, and now at fifteen, sixteen at the time of this exhibit. Originally, when I wrote the poem much earlier, I had not known who he was, but I found my father in April and will be meeting him in a matter of days. This industry immorally separated my father and I, but now we have a chance to salvage what we were deprived of in the first years of my life. I am so happy I have found him.

- Hattie Hart

I never thought there was anything to be gained by secrecy

When we students first donated we were told that the chances of live births were virtually Zero. They said they were very much in the early clinical stages and sperm was to be used mainly for experimentation and process work. After I had dropped out of uni and gone back to Ballarat, the clinic called wanting some further blood tests. At this point I hadn’t donated for quite some time. When I went to the clinic they told me there was a baby on the way as a result of my donation. This was a game changer for me. It changed what was a bit of an altruistic act into something very personal, and very real. I think I went from being a donor to something else, but that something else wasn’t a dad. I had never considered the idea of a live birth. I was glad I had assisted a couple that needed help, but at the same time I felt a bit sad and empty.

I put myself on the register at the age of 35, as soon as they changed the legislation. Chant and I were both on the register and that’s how we found each other. I never thought there was anything to be gained by secrecy. Chant had the right to meet me. To me it was a human rights issue. Chant’s mum gave me a little photo album, which is a treasured possession of mine, of Chant’s growing up times and some of the pictures of her from Japan and school and other things.

Meeting and getting to know Chant has been one of the greatest highlights of my life.

Ever since I have known it was possible, I decided I would like to learn as much as I could about my donor – you!

"Hi! Well my name is Chantele. I was conceived in 1982 and born in 1983. I’m currently still a Year 12 student in country Victoria. I think you have already heard somethings about me through the counselor at the clinic, so I’ll try not to repeat myself!

Sorry I didn’t write to you straight away, I’m still a bit nervous about it. Mostly because I’m scared you won’t write back. But please remember you are not obligated in any way to write back to me and if you don’t I will understand :)

Well I have known since I was eight years old that I was not conceived naturally. Ever since I have known it was possible, I decided I would like to learn as much as I could about my donor – you!

My parents were originally told that the donors were all either doctors or med students. I was so relieved to finally discover that you weren’t! I could never understand why I was never interested in the medical field, even though my mum, and I thought my biological father too, was is in this profession.

I would really like to know about your personality. I think I am good at talking. I like to think that one of my skills is being able to continue a conversation with any sort of person, even if I don’t know them! But I am secretly scared of strangers.

I’ve decided to go to university next year although I’m not sure where and I’m not sure what want to study yet. Probably either Commerce or Arts (public relations or communications). At this stage (it changes every week though) I’d like to work in public relations and International Business. I’m already studying Japanese through distance education. I’ve received a distinction for this semester’s results (I missed out on a higher distinction by 2 points! Can’t complain I suppose, though, as most of the students ARE Japanese!!!). Which was ok I guess. I am definitely struggling in English (I’m sure you can see that already though!). I can’t remember if I talked about my family in my last email or not (??) Oh well you can ask me anything you’d like to know about me.

Well I better go and do some study now. Thanks for reading this.

From Chantele :)"

I felt that pure, beautiful love that every caring parent experiences when they first set eyes on their child

Heart of dreams

I was there at the beginning

When we were made from stars,

And when this reality melts away

I’ll be waiting for you

To fall into my light

And fly to my heart of dreams

Where I’ll sing to you

Of the language of flowers

And the secrets of mirrors

And the revelations of mysteries

And the sweet sound

Of the perfect chord

Ringing through the multiverses

Of my song cycles!

I’ll show you creations’ wonders

As i unfold the carpet of eternal time

And lead you on endless journeys

To spirit worlds and crystal heavens

And through the infinity of dimensions

Where magic is the universal truth

And love is the steady constant state

In a place I call my heart of dreams!

From the moment I met Rel, I knew that I loved her completely and unconditionally. It was as if some magic switch in my heart was activated.....I felt that pure, beautiful love that every caring parent experiences when they first set eyes on their child. We didn't use the “love " word when we first met, but Rel admitted later that she felt the same way. My love for her grows and grows and the more I find out about her amazing life and all she achieved, the prouder I am of her.

They both shared a love of art

When donor-conceived Sara first made contact with her donor, Roger, by email in 2013 she quickly found that they both shared a love of art. Sara painted, Roger drew. They agreed to email each other an example of their art. In a coincidence that surprised both, they exchanged their impressions of elephants. Sara’s love of elephants came from work experience overseas. Roger’s came from his experiences with elephants in Africa.