Campbells Creek now has a new Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) at the Campbells Creek Community Centre.
Every year around 5,500 cardiac arrests take place in Victoria, but sadly only one in 10 people survive. For every minute using an AED is delayed, a person’s chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.
Campbells Creek is an eight-minute drive from the nearest ambulance station, so having an AED nearby is essential.
There are around forty AEDs in Castlemaine. However, until now, there was only one AED in Campbells Creek that was publicly available 24/7 – located at the Campbells Creek Primary School (127 Main Road).
Neates Road Neighbourhood News volunteer Tonye Segbedzi said that an incident at her workplace showed me that access to a defibrillator can make the difference between life and death.
“I was worried people in my area may not be able to get across the bridge to the one at the Primary School if Campbells Creek is flooding,” she said.
The new AED is located on the opposite side of the creek at the Campbells Creek Community Centre (60 Elizabeth Street), just next to the main entry doors. It is available for the public to use 24/7.
There are also defibrillators at the Campbells Creek CFA and football ground, which are only available when the buildings are open.
This project was funded by a Mount Alexander Shire Council Community Grant, together with the generous support of Defib for Life, Campbells Creek Community Centre Special Committee and Rod Holder.