By Dr Bibiana Chan
President’s Annual Report – Community Flower Studio (CFS)
Highlights of 2025
- Hosted two major public mental health promotion events — Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair and the Secret Garden Event.
- Co-designed public education programs promoting creativity, connection, and mental wellbeing.
- Reduced stigma on mental ill-health by sharing practical wellbeing tools with the community.
- Delivered FAME workshops commissioned by Willoughby City Council and the Legacy Foundation.
- Introduced new youth-led innovations: DIY Flower Bar and Mum & Daughter Bonding through Flowers.
- Strengthened the Creative Workshops by Young People for Young People, with plans for expansion in 2026.
- Pop-up stall sales improved slightly after interest rate adjustments.
- Exploring a weather-proof location due to extreme weather impacting outdoor stalls.
- Petal-it-Forward campaign continued monthly, growing social media engagement and wellbeing conversations.
- Five high school students completed their Duke of Edinburgh service with CFS.
- Recruited psychology university students through Seek Volunteers, supporting social media and Laughter Yoga.
- Launched the CFS Book Club, thanks to member initiative and participation.
- Presented evidence-based CFS programs internationally at the 2025 Social Prescribing Conference in Brisbane.
- Received a Community Service Award from the Rotary Club of Northbridge.
- Approximately $21,000 in grants and donations received to support programs and community outreach.
- End-of-Year Lunch planned to celebrate a fruitful and impactful year.
1. A Year of Growth and Community Impact
It has been an exciting and fulfilling year for the Community Flower Studio (CFS). We hosted two major public mental health promotion events that embodied our mission to connect people through creativity and wellbeing. CFS is a verified ‘People and Planet First’ Social Enterprise since July 2025.
2. Secret Garden Event and Mental Health Promotion
Building on the success of our inaugural Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair, CFS organised the Secret Garden Event during Mental Health Month, celebrating flowers, creativity, and community connection. My heartfelt thanks to all our members who volunteered their time to co-design and co-create this much-needed public education program. Our biggest achievement this year has been breaking down the stigma surrounding mental ill-health and sharing practical wellbeing tools with everyday people.
3. Compassion Through Creativity – Wishing Flower Exhibition & FAME Workshops
As one of the floral arrangements from our Wishing Flower Exhibition so meaningfully expressed — “Feeling lonely? You are not alone!” — CFS continues to embody compassion through creativity. We were also commissioned by Willoughby City Council and the Legacy Foundation to deliver our popular FAME (Floral Arrangement Made Easy) workshops during Senior Week.
4. Innovation Led by Young People
At the recent Secret Garden Event, our young facilitators introduced two new experiences: a DIY Flower Bar and a Mum & Daughter Bonding through Flowers activity. Feedback for these innovative programs was overwhelmingly positive. Looking ahead, in 2026 our Creative Workshops by Young People for Young People may expand to include more hands-on, experience-style programs that encourage bonding between parents and tweens.
5. Pop-Up Stalls, Weather Challenges & Petal-it-Forward Campaign
In 2025, sales at our monthly pop-up stalls showed a slight recovery following the recent interest rate adjustments, and we hope this positive trend continues into 2026. However, increasingly frequent extreme weather events have made outdoor stalls less sustainable. We will be exploring more weather-proof locations to ensure the continuation of our monthly stalls and our Petal-it-Forward campaign — a wonderful initiative that attracts new social media followers and sparks meaningful conversations about mental wellbeing. After all, prevention is better than cure.
6. Youth Engagement & Volunteer Contributions
This year, five high school students completed their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award service component with CFS, alongside several psychology university students recruited through Seek Volunteers who contributed to our social media campaigns and Laughter Yoga sessions. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives have been greatly appreciated.
7. Member Engagement & New Initiatives
At our last AGM, members suggested introducing an Event of the Month to replace the Bushwalk of the Month. I am still seeking an event organiser to take on this role. My sincere thanks go to Caroline for organising the successful Book Club Launch, where members shared their favourite books and enjoyed thoughtful discussions. I hope more members will join us in 2026.
8. Evidence-Based Practice & National Recognition
Together with our Social Impact Consultant, Rabia Khan, we submitted an abstract on the Three Tiers of Program designed to help youth develop their social identity. I had the honour of presenting this at the 2025 International Social Prescribing Conference in Brisbane in November, where our work received very positive feedback from researchers. CFS not only offers culturally responsive mental health programs — we are now recognised as evidence-based. I was elected to represent NSW at the National Consumer Alliance Multicultural Mental Health Affinity Group since June. I am also deeply honoured to have received a Community Service Award from the Rotary Club of Northbridge. This award belongs to all CFS members and volunteers.
9. Grants, Donations & Financial Support
This financial year (2024-25), we received approximately $13,000 in community grants (Help St Foundation, WayAhead, Multicultural NSW, Federal Government, The Co-group) and $8,000 in donations, enabling CFS to host various creative events and deliver our Petal-it-Forward campaign throughout the year.
Finally, I warmly invite all members to join our End-of-Year Lunch on Saturday, 20 December, as a gesture of thanks for your dedication and contributions throughout this fruitful year.
10. End-of-Year Lunch & Appreciation
Thank you all for your ongoing support, commitment, and belief in CFS’s mission. I look forward to another inspiring year working alongside you in 2026.
Warm regards,
Bibiana Chan
President, Community Flower Studio
