Melanoma patients and their families throughout the Riverina region are benefiting from strengthened and sustained melanoma services thanks to the newly opened MIA Amie St Clair clinic in Wagga Wagga.

New suite includes state of the art 3D full body imaging machine, clinic rooms and space for support groups and community events.

The suite in Docker Street Medical was officially opened with a function hosted by Annette St Clair – Wagga Wagga Citizen of the Year and MIA Community Engagement Manager for the Riverina.

Annette and Peter St Clair founded Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust in memory of their daughter Amie who passed away from melanoma when she was just 23, with the organisation merging with Melanoma Institute Australia in 2020.

‘Today’s opening of our new clinic is an exciting day for our family,’ Annette said. ‘We are extremely proud of what we have achieved, little more than a decade after we started advocating and fundraising for improved services in the Riverina in Amie’s memory,’ she said.

The new suite includes a 3D full body imaging machine which is part of the national Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging & Diagnosis (ACEMID) trial. It also has multiple clinic rooms and space for support group and community activities.

Speaking at the official opening of the new clinic, Melanoma Institute Australia CEO Matthew Browne said the 3D imaging machine in the Riverina was one of only 15 across the country being used to capture patient images as part of a melanoma early detection clinical trial.

‘We are delighted that our newly opened Wagga Wagga clinic is part of the national ACEMID trial,’ Mr Browne said. ‘This is yet another example of the expanded services and supports for melanoma patients in the region since the merger of our organisations.’

The merger saw the doubling of melanoma services in the Riverina, including:

  • Increased capacity of the free melanoma nursing services;
  • The establishment of clinical trials in Wagga Wagga;
  • Opportunities for melanoma patients within the region to contribute to MIA research;
  • Melanoma Education opportunities – both professional (GPs/Clinics) and community-based through the SunSafe Student Ambassador program.

‘Every single person who supported us, and who continues to support Melanoma Institute Australia, should be justifiably proud of the vital role they have played in ensuring melanoma patients in the Riverina can access the best possible care, so close to home,’ Annette added.