Groups unite to support community defibrillator donation

Published on 15 October 2019

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Visitors to Kerang’s central business district now have access to a community defibrillator thanks to the support of four community groups and their fundraising efforts.

The Dodgy Few Social Motorcycle Club, KBar and Function Room Kerang, Kerang Progress Association and Bus Stop Recycle Shop all contributed funds for the purchase of the equipment, located in Victoria Street between Chinos café and the Gannawarra Shire Council Chambers building.

“Through the delivery of the 2019 Poker Run event, run by The Dodgy Few Social Motorcycle Club, and supported by the three other groups, funds were raised to purchase the equipment with the purpose of it to be accessible to all community members and traders,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“Council has supported the Kerang community defibrillator initiative by installing the device, and will look into options to work with local traders and community leaders to undertake the training required to use the equipment.”

The launch event for the defibrillator will coincide with Restart A Heart Day on Wednesday, 16 October in Victoria Square, Kerang between 10am and 12pm. This event, hosted by Ambulance Victoria, is to raise awareness of the benefit of early CPR and Defibrillation using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and also to raise awareness of the GoodSAM Responder app, which alerts responders to a nearby suspected cardiac arrest and the location of the nearest AED.

“Minutes matter in cardiac arrest, and the sooner a person receives CPR and the application of a defibrillator, the better their chances of survival,” Ambulance Victoria Buloke/Gannawarra Acting Senior Team Manager, Mark Burns said.

“Bystanders are the critical first link in the chain of survival and can help keep patients alive before highly-trained paramedics arrive.”

Community members are encouraged to come along to the Restart a Heart Day display, learn more about CPR and how to use an AED. There will be giveaways and trained paramedics there to provide information and talk to about these lifesaving skills and how we can be prepared in the case of an emergency involving cardiac arrest.

What: CPR display, GoodSAM app information/sign up

When: Wednesday, 16 October 10am-12 noon

Where: Victoria Square, outside Kerang Council Chambers, Victoria Street, Kerang

 

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