When Jo-Anne Picker entered a national floristry competition, there was an obvious source of inspiration for her – the patients and staff at Goulburn’s Cancer Centre.
Jo is no stranger to the Cancer Centre. She first accessed the service in 2000, and then again in 2018 after a recurrence. During that time, she’s seen the service evolve – from it’s previous the Bourke Street Health Service location, to the new site co-located with the Goulburn Base Hospital.
Jo took up studying floristry last year, as a way of having a day a week away from treatment doing something she loved. As part her study, Jo was encouraged to enter the national WildFlowers Australia National Floristry Competition.
Australia is home to some of the world’s most striking and unique cut flower and foliage varieties. The national competition has been running since 2008 and is a very special annual event exclusive to Certificate III students enrolled at a registered training organisation. Entries to the competition are facilitated by course teachers.
Jo-Anne Picker (right) with Jane Robertson at the Goulburn Cancer Centre
For the 2024 competition, students were required to design and make two pieces, a hand tied bunch and a wearable item (such as a corsage, buttonhole/boutonniere, or a hairpiece). The two pieces needed to be complementary in style, colours and materials so that the styling and props make sense in the display. To add a further dimension to their work, students were required to create a display to stage their entries.
Reflecting on the competition’s theme, It Takes Two, Jo was inspired by the floral wall mural in the new Goulburn Cancer Centre to create her entry.
Jo-Anne Picker
Jo-Anne Picker’s entry for the 2024 WildFlowers Australia National Floristry Competition, inspired by the Goulburn Cancer Centre. Image credit: Jo-Anne Picker
Jo said she wanted to celebrate the Goulburn Cancer Services team, and recognise the dedication and care she has experienced over the years.
"Like many things in life, you take inspiration from your lived experience," explained Jo.
"The inspiration for my work came from attending the new purpose-built Cancer Centre, built as part of the hospital’s redevelopment. The new treatment room was decorated with brightly coloured wildflower murals, transforming the centre from a sterile white room, which lead me to reflect on just how much colour and nature can impact people’s wellbeing."
Jo notes the link between patients, family and nurses, and the collective hope of treatment.
"Myself and fellow cancer patients, along with the treating nurses, can spend long hours in this room, and it is a much more comfortable space to be in, compared to the previous location."
Displayed along with Jo’s floral creations is a bell.
"It’s a representation of the ceremony that is carried out in many cancer centres around the world, a tradition taken from the Navy to indicate all is well," said Jo.
"Ringing the bell is a chance for people who have finished treatment and are told they are cancer-free to celebrate with family, friends and staff who have cared for them during their treatment. Although there doesn’t seem to be much reason to celebrate when talking about cancer, I wanted to share a story about hope for new cancer treatments, and the collective hope we share giving people the opportunity to ‘ring the bell’."
In Jo’s bunch of flowers, the stems are bound by a blue ribbon, at the point where they all cross with a binding material. Jo explained that the ribbon is a metaphor for the role of Southern’s staff in her patient journey.
"The blue ribbon in my piece is a representation of the Oncology staff, to recognise the significant impact the staff have – like the binding point in floristry, they are the binding point in supporting patients and their families during their cancer care."
Ringing Out
Ring this bell Three times well Its toll to clearly say My treatment’s done This course is run And I’m on my way!
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