We are a small, informal group of parents and parents-to-be of children adopted from Romania into the Australian Capital Territory of Australia. Our group first met in December 1999. We now have 10 children in Canberra adopted from Romania and a family with a child adopted from Russia attends our functions.

• regular social get-togethers such as picnics, barbecues, swim parties, dinners, birthday parties
• organising group outings to Romanian-oriented cultural events
• establishing a library of parenting and Romanian cultural resources
• interaction with Romanian officials such as Embassy staff
• establishing links with the Romanian community in Canberra to obtain cultural and language experience, including inviting them to functions
• acting as an informal source of cultural and adoption information for prospective parents
• establishing Romanian language and cultural classes for our children
• linking with EurAdopt Australia, the national support group for families with children adopted from Europe

Our group does not compete with or take over the role of either the Government agency responsible for overseeing adoptions in the ACT, the Adoptive Parents Association (of which we are a sub-group) or IAPA, the Romanian adoptive families support group based in Melbourne. The government agency and AFA have agreed to us forming this group and while membership of AFA and IAPA is recommended, it is certainly not a condition of joining the group.

The group is informal and free of charge. The activities are voluntary and if you are interested in adopting from Europe, you and your friends are welcome to join us. Don’t hesitate to join us just because you don’t have your children home yet. Several of us were in that position and we found attending functions is a positive experience.

Our first meeting, a pool party, was held at the home of one of our members on 4 December 1999. It was attended by 11 adults and 3 children representing all but one of the families who have adopted into Canberra. We had glorious weather, a warm pool and a very convivial atmosphere. The party was held partly to celebrate Romania's National Day (December 1st) and was attended by the Romanian Ambassador, her family and some staff.

The following week we were all invited to the Romanian Embassy for a celebration to which the whole Romanian Community in Canberra and much of Australia was invited. We enjoyed a very warm welcome by the Romanians and a culturally enlightened evening. Since 1999 we have been invited back to the Embassy celebration every year.

We have regular functions at members homes, entertainment venues, local playgrounds and picnic spots. Some of these functions have been attended by the Ambassador and staff from the Romanian Embassy. Some of our children have also attended language and culture classes.

Members of Club Prietenii are also members of a larger national organisation, EurAdopt Australia. EurAdopt Australia was formed in 2003 to:

• provide support to families who have adopted from Europe
• advocate for adoption programs with countries in Europe, in particular Russia and other Eastern European countries
• provide support for families considering adoption from Europe
• advocate for more effective and efficient adoption systems in Australia
• organise a national convention of families with children adopted from Europe (KidFest)

KidFest 2003 was held in Canberra in April 2003 and was attended by approximately 35 families with children from Romania and Russia. We participated in a range of social, cultural and educational activities designed for adults and children. KidFest 2004 was held in Ballarat, Victoria in April 2004 and was just as much fun. KidFest 2005 is being planned for New South Wales in April 2005.

We are also planning a “Return to Romania” trip in 2006. We are looking forward to regular KidFests to enable our children to grow up together with other children of similar background.

For more information or to attend any of Club Prietenii activities, email Rob Cornhill or tel: (02) 6288 8698.

For information on Romanian and adoption websites visit this link.