Proceeds from Rotary Christmas Races at Moruya last December have purchased 12 Automated External Debrillators (AEDs) which will be installed across Eurobodalla Shire.
The AEDs were presented to the shire’s three Rotary Clubs on Wednesday night at their celebration of Rotary International’s 112th birthday, hosted by Moruya Rotary Club.
The Christmas Races were organised by Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma Rotary Clubs in conjunction with Moruya Jockey Club, the aim being to raise funds to purchase these life saving devices.
‘We raised about $25,000 which greatly exceeded our expectations,’ Rotary spokesman David Ashford said.
‘That was thanks to the Rotary raffle, a significant contribution from the Jockey Club, the hardworking Moruya Rotarians in the canteen, donations from Moruya Surf Club buckets, plus a matching grant from Rotary District 9710.
‘We now need to ensure the defibrillators are placed in the best locations in the respective towns.’
The three Rotary clubs will determine all current defibrillator locations and ensure these latest AEDs are installed in the most appropriate locations in the three towns. An app listing their locations is being developed.
The AEDs, purchased from St John’s Ambulance, are used when someone suffers a suspected heart attack.
St John’s Business development Manager Ryan Paterson demonstrated how they work, stating the first four minutes are vital after someone has a heart attack.
‘A shock from a defibrillator can save a life,’ he said.
‘They’re easy to use and maintain, require no training and the machine talks the operator through it.
‘You can’t hurt the person. The machine will only operate if it detects a charge is needed.’
Mr Paterson was so impressed with Rotary’s initiative in the Eurobodalla, he wants to try and get Rotary Clubs in other areas interested in a similar project.
Rotary International was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905. Since then Rotary has grown to be one of the world’s largest service clubs with 1.2 million people in 35,000 plus clubs in more than 200 countries.
Above: St John’s Business development Manager Ryan Paterson and Rotary Races Committee Chair David Ashford present 12 defibrillators to Moruya Rotary President Pauline Gleeson, Narooma Rotary Acting President Laurelle Pacey and Batemans Bay President Jeff Thorpe. The defibrillators were purchased from proceeds from the Rotary Christmas Races at Moruya last December.
Above:Cutting the cake to celebrate the 112th birthday of Rotary International are Moruya Rotary Club President Pauline Gleeson, Batemans Bay President Jeff Thorpe and Narooma Acting President Laurelle Pacey.
