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MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE & CEO

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Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow

President

Jo first reached out to Jigsaw Qld in 1991 to search for her mother following legislative changes allowing access to identifying information. Since then, she has benefited from Jigsaw's support groups and has met both of her parents and a sibling.

 

Jo has helped Jigsaw spread the word that help is available now since 2015, facilitating peer support groups, producing news, marketing and media content, hosting and producing the Adopt Perspective podcast and building and maintaining the Jigsaw website.

 

She has worked in public relations for more than two decades and holds a BA Journalism and a Master of Public Relations. She has also researched in the area of adoption and using writing to construct identity after adoption for the degree of Doctor of Creative Arts. In 2024, Jo completed a Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work and was a recipient of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) Peer Work Scholarship. You can learn more about Jo's story on her Adopt Perspective podcast episode, When the Search Ends from 3 August 2022. Adopt Perspective can be listened to on all your favourite podcast apps or here.

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Helen Angela Taylor

CEO

Helen Angela Taylor is an adoptee who discovered Jigsaw Qld in 1991 after moving to Brisbane from Sydney. A few years later she reunited with her mother and father. Helen tried for many years to manage the impact of her forced adoption, and challenging adoptive family experience, but over time it took a significant toll on her mental health, wellbeing, and relationships. Then in July 2019, she attended her first support group at Jigsaw Qld, and realised the power of the adoption community to support her healing. 

Helen has considerable experience in frontline social justice service delivery in Queensland Government. First, as Liaison Officer and Manager, Victim Support Service, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, then as Manager, Concerned Persons Register, Department of Corrective Services. In both roles, Helen designed and delivered information, support, and referral services for victims of crime across Queensland. 

Helen then embarked on individual and systemic advocacy as a Community Visitor in the Office of Adult Guardian, providing rights protection and abuse prevention services in accordance with statutory requirements. After four years of investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults with disability, Helen took on the role of Manager, transforming the service into a highly respected, effective model of investigation and advocacy for people with disability, prior to introduction of the NDIS in Queensland.

Helen is committed to continuing the proud Jigsaw Queensland legacy of support, connection, information, and advocacy. Learn more about Helen's story in her Adopt Perspective podcast episode from 4 December 2024. Adopt Perspective can be listened to on all your 
favourite podcast apps or here

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Lois Buch

Secretary

Lois was in her early 20's when she reunited with her birth mother during the significant adoption law changes in Queensland in 1991. It was 2012 before she reached out to Jigsaw and started appreciating the benefits of connecting with other adoptees and mothers of loss. In her eight years of involvement, she is amazed at how her understanding of adoption has grown exponentially. She most appreciates Jigsaw's mission to respect every person's journey and story, with emphasis on peer support. Learn more about Lois' story in her Adopt Perspective podcast episode from 9 June 2020. Adopt Perspective can be listened to on all your favourite podcast apps or here

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Robert White

Treasurer

Robert is happily married with two adult children and two grand children. He is adopted and was first involved with Jigsaw in the early 1990’s. He rejoined Jigsaw in early 2014 and has been on Jigsaw’s executive for the several years.

 

Workwise, Robert is a registered Company Auditor and a Registered Tax Agent. He has had public practice experience dating back to 1975, having previously acquired his own practice in 1983. A Registered Company Auditor (RCA) as well as an SMSF Auditor, Tax Professional and a member of IPA (Institute of Public Accountants in Australia) and NTAA (National Taxation Accountants in Australia), Robert is involved with various types of Professional Development including taxation, accounting, audit and systems. Accordingly considerable time and effort is spent in being up to date with current business and accounting requirements.

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Collette Glazebrook

Member

Collette is an adoptee and author who brings a wealth of business and management  experience to the management committee. She has served the organisation in a voluntary capacity for more than two decades, including as treasurer and secretary. Learn more about Collette in her Adopt Perspective podcast episodes on 3 November 2021 & 17 November 2021. You can listen on all the usual podcast apps or here and here.

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Heather Hermann

Member

Heather is a mother who lost a child to adoption and has volunteered for Jigsaw for two decades as peer support and in office administration. Heather facilitates the Mother's Group and often co-facilitates the Mixed Group. She is a member of the Post Adoption Stakeholder Group and a contributor of the anniversary stakeholder groups as a representative of Jigsaw Qld. Her firsthand knowledge of the impacts of adoption and understanding of Jigsaw Qld's values has been invaluable on the Management Committee. Learn more about Heather in her Adopt Perspective podcast episode on 24 April 2020. You can listen on all the usual podcast apps or here.

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Kathryn Rendell

Member

Kathryn is the Director of the Immigrant Women’s Support Service, which supports women from refugee and immigrant backgrounds experiencing domestic and family violence and sexual assault. Kathryn has worked in this field since 1981, initially supporting families from Southeast Asia, and has held key roles at local, state, and national levels across domestic violence, early childhood, and refugee services. She was a founding academic at Griffith University, helped establish the Brisbane Ethnic Child Care Development Unit, and launched services for multicultural families in Logan and the Sunshine Coast.

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Kathryn’s research on post-separation experiences of women and children is a seminal work in the field. She was a member of the Reference Group which helped produce the National Apology for Forced Adoption and the Implementation Advisory Group which followed and continues to engage in multiple advisory groups in the domestic violence and sexual assault sectors. A memorable part of her career was working with women on Mornington Island, an experience that deeply influenced her approach to support work. Kathryn is a mother of three, including one child with whom she was reunited after adoption. Learn more about Kathryn in her Adopt Perspective podcast episode on 5 April 2023. You can listen on all the usual podcast apps or here.

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