The Beautiful Shawl Project documentary

The Beautiful Shawl project is a collaborative model that provides a safe and empowering screening experience for Aboriginal women.

BreastScreen Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) joined forces with eight Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across the state to reduce barriers to breast screening through ‘The Beautiful Shawl Project’.

Working with local community artists to produce customised screening shawls, the project partners provided Aboriginal woman with a culturally appropriate, familiar and beautiful garment to wear during screening, and to keep afterwards.

This ground-breaking initiative documented in an uplifting short film is available to watch in October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
BreastScreen Victoria’s pink mobile screening travelled to each Aboriginal community health hub providing free and accessible screens.

It quickly became evident to everyone involved in the initiative that they were participating in something particularly special.

This heart-warming documentary follows this innovative project on Country, and captures the reactions and feelings of the communities, staff and the clients themselves.