General News
20 June, 2025
AED donated to Gallery 127
The Murray Basin Rail Project donated a defibrillator to Gallery 127 early last month.
In another step towards making AEDs easily accessible for the community, the Murray Basin Rail Project donated a defibrillator to Gallery 127 early last month.
Gallery 127’s Hugh Forster said they were thankful to have received the donation not only for the benefit of their visitors but the wider Avoca community.
Every minute counts following a cardiac arrest — before, the nearest AED was a drive away.
“The gallery is a standalone building away from the main part of the town. There’s no immediate access to a defib without hopping in a car and getting one,” he said.
“If someone has a heart attack and needs a kickstart it’s there.”
Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) 2023/24 Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) Annual Report highlighted the positive impact of early intervention on patient outcomes.
Bystander CPR was done in 79 percent of witnessed cardiac arrests with 141 cases receiving a shock from a public AED — the highest number on record.
The report found these interventions meant 422 cardiac arrest patients were discharged from hospital with 84 percent returning home to their families.
Ambulance Victoria’s director research and evaluation Dr Ziad Nehme said the benefits of early intervention, along with AV’s ongoing efforts, cannot be overstated.
“These improvements in survival are not by chance — they reflect the unwavering dedication of our paramedics and first responders, the responsiveness of the community, and the targeted initiatives that have strengthened the Chain of Survival,” he said.
“Through continuous education, real-time performance feedback, and community-driven initiatives, we are making significant strides in improving survival outcomes.”
The dispersal of AEDs in the local community has been an ongoing initiative for years now — but it’s already saved local lives.
When Barry Ross, co-owner of the Court House Hotel, suffered a cardiac arrest playing pool, his mate Darron Reid jumped into action, saving his life with CPR and a nearby defib.
Beyond AED availability community awareness and education improves outcomes, Dr Nehme said.
In 2023, when Maryborough’s Kevin Lloyd began to have chest pain after a night of table tennis with his grandson, recognising the signs and quickly calling Triple Zero (000) helped save his life.
Paramedic Aaron Ryan said at the time that every minute counts following a cardiac arrest.
“The fact we could get him home to his family after a cardiac arrest is huge, the reality is that survivability of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is around one in 10,” he said.
“This highlights the importance of the chain of survival — early CPR and defibrillation is key.”
It’s a context that makes Mr Forster proud and comforted by having an AED on site at the gallery.
While it can’t be mounted outside due to the building’s heritage, the AED will be available whenever the gallery is open.
“The quicker you can kickstart it the [better],” Mr Forster said.