We were proud to once again host a stall at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, one of our most significant community engagement events of the year. The show provides a valuable opportunity to connect directly with a wide range of , promote the importance of regular breast screening, and make it easy for people to book their breast screen.
We met so many wonderful women this year, with many stopping for a quick chatabout eligibility, to check when they were next due for a breast screen, to access resources, or simply to share their experiences and stories. Others took immediate action by booking their breast screen on the spot or joining our Consumer Network to help shape the future of our service. To add a touch of fun, everyone who booked a breast screen or joined the Consumer Network was invited to spin the wheel for a chance to win prizes, creating moments of joy alongside meaningful conversations.
Every conversation our team had at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show had the potential to change a life, a reminder that when we show up, listen, and support women in their communities, we can help make breast screening a positive and empowering experience. These conversations resulted in 149 screening appointments booked, an 11 per cent increase on last year. Of these bookings, 85 were new clients screening for the first time, while 64 were returning screeners. The event also strengthened our community voice, with 15 new members joining the Consumer Network.
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is an annual returning event at the Royal Exhibition Building and the Carlton Gardens. This year, despite bouts of heavy rain, the event was attended by over 100,000 people from across Victoria, around Australia and around the globe.
