Brooke Miljenovic was at Bay City Cinemas with her husband and  daughter Storm Bowron, who has Type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease, and was told Storm could not take her bag inside for security reasons.

It carries her food kits needed to reduce the impact of of a sudden diabetic episode, gluten free food and her blood testing kits. 

“I told them she could pass out in there and they told us and she could eat the food outside the cinema,” Ms Miljenovic.

She said the gluten-free food her daughter needed was not available at the cinema, and asked to see the manager.

She spoke to manager Glenda Churchill and asked if exception could be made due to her daughter's illness and was told it couldn't, and the conversation became heated, with Ms Miljenovic accusing her of discrimination.

“Most people are compassionate, but she would not budge,” Ms Miljenovic said.

“It was never a problem at Warrawong cinema.”

Ms Miljenovic and her daughter then went to the theatre door, and when the staff member on the door told her she could not take the items inside, she said she had spoken to the manager and went in.  

Ms Churchill said she had previously spoken to Ms Miljenovic a few months ago and “discussed that the large backpack containing her daughter’s blood testing kits and ‘gluten free’ food options could not be taken into the auditorium.”

“Obviously we have upset Ms Miljenovic and her family, which could have been avoided had she called ahead and explained her daughters circumstance,” Ms Churchill said.

“Unfortunately, no cinema aisle is designed to accommodate large backpacks or bags. Should large bags be placed in the aisle there is no walkway for a person to exit the aisle and large straps can trip people over.

“We have a secure cloaking system for backpacks. 

“Brooke has also expressed concern that her daughter could not take her ‘gluten free’ food into the auditorium.

“Our staff have an average of 10 minutes to prepare the auditorium for the next show, there is only so much cleaning you can do in this time.

“She could have eaten in foyer prior to the movie starting and we do also have a gluten free option available at our candy bar, popcorn!”

She was relieved Ms Miljenovic raised her concerns with her.

“She approached me in an aggressive manner and was less than polite; I would hate to see our staff be faced with such a confrontation,” she said.

“Yes, some people do not like these conditions however they are for the comfort and safety of the majority.”