Conference Name: 8th International Pacific Rim (PacRim) Breast and Prostate Cancer Meeting
Number of delegates: 150 delegates (67 International; 83 National)
NT location: Darwin, Northern Territory (NT), Australia
Conference venue: George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens Visitor and Events Centre
About the event
When the 8th International Pacific Rim (PacRim) Breast and Prostate Cancer Meeting was staged in the Northern Territory (NT) in August 2024, organisers selected the lush tropical environs of the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens Events Centre as their inspiring meeting location.
Located just two kilometres from Darwin, the Botanic Gardens encompass 42 hectares and are noted for their collections of north Australian and tropical climate botanical species.
Significant health sector outcomes for Australia and the world
The four-day prestigious ‘think-tank’ Meeting brought together leading scientists, clinicians and researchers from around the world to discuss critical issues. The program also addressed breast and prostate cancer in Aboriginal communities, especially relevant to the NT where over 30% of the population are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders
Why was Darwin and the Northern Territory (NT) selected as the host location?
Darwin's close proximity to Asia and with international flight connections further afield via the Singapore aviation hub just 4½ hours away, Darwin was a strategically positioned host destination. The support provided via the NT Government’s official convention bureau, Northern Territory Business Events, also enhanced the destination’s appeal.
With the Darwin event also being the 21st milestone anniversary of the Meeting series, delegates were invited to enjoy the unique NT cuisine, natural beauty of the landscape and an opportunity for meaningful Aboriginal cultural engagement.
Nature and culture combine
The Meeting program encompassed a range of cultural experiences and included an informal guided tour of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), the NT’s premier cultural facility.
Darwin’s capacity to deliver genuine Aboriginal cultural engagement was also maximised - the Welcome to Country ceremony delivered by a representative of the Larrakia People, traditional custodians of the Darwin region, set the tone at the commencement of the conference sessions.
Readback Aboriginal Art Darwin, a Darwin fair-trade art gallery where visitors can meet Aboriginal artists and engage with them about their art and culture, was also part of the program
Two optional half-day tours were provided and included a visit to Litchfield National Park, 1¼ hours from Darwin and home to waterfalls, rock pools and clusters of weathered sandstone pillars. Another option was a sunset cruise on Corroboree Billabong in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park. Kakadu is renowned for its wetlands which are home to the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world, along with a variety of birds and other wildlife.
Social program showcases Darwin
In addition to the Museum and Art Gallery visit, delegates also experienced Darwin’s world-renowned Mindil Beach Sunset Market and dined at a range of iconic venues such as the waterfront Darwin Ski Club and award-winning Pee Wee’s at the Point restaurant. On one of the evenings, a dinner was also held at the Botanic Gardens Event Centre and featured an array of unique NT cuisine tastings.
In their words
The Darwin Meeting Convenor, Professor Wayne Tilley, was effusive in his praise of the NT Meeting.
“It was an honour to hold the 8th PacRim Meeting and indeed the 21st anniversary of the series in an iconic Australian destination such as Darwin, Northern Territory,” he said.
“We had the opportunity to incorporate local businesses into the Meeting program such as the MAGNT, Pee Wee's at the Point, Mindil Beach Casino Resort, locally owned tours as well as local performers. Attendees were encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the local culture and extend their stay to incorporate a vacation in order to maximise their Top End experience.”
The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens Visitor and Event Centre, venue for the 8th International PacRim Breast and Prostate Cancer Meeting.