Saving lives – one community club at a time

The Gold Coast community continues to reap the benefits of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games with more than 100 life-saving defibrillators being distributed to community organisations in coming weeks.   The heart-starting devices, previously located at various GC2018 venues, were provided to City of Gold Coast by the State Government to be distributed to sporting and community groups across the city. 

The initiative will enhance public safety by increasing our community’s ability to respond in an emergency.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates joined Assistant Minister, Tourism and Industry Development, Meaghan Scanlon, to hand the first of the defibrillators to Des Thornton, representing Labrador Memorial Senior Citizens Club.

She said the City was overwhelmed with applications for the 115 defibrillators.

“This is the best kind of Games legacy – it will save countless lives. It’s simple really – the more defibrillators out there, the more likely it is people will receive life-saving treatment and survive a heart attack,” Cr Gates said.

“It complements the 13 defibrillators recently installed in community centres and libraries across the city.”

Assistant Minister Scanlon said the defibrillators would make a vital difference to the lives of people on the Gold Coast.

“This donation to our hard-working community organisations will greatly assist locals in need. The small size of the defibrillators and ease of use makes the device a convenient and valuable asset to have on hand,” she said.

“The defibrillators are among tens of thousands of GC2018 items which are being gifted to Queensland communities, ensuring Games’ benefits extend beyond our sporting fields and right across the state.

“This is a wonderful example of the far reaching benefits of hosting the Commonwealth Games and what it can deliver for our state.” 

Due to the high level of interest in the defibrillators, not all applicants were successful. The City prioritised organisations with members primarily in high-risk age groups, who did not have access to a defibrillator.

To find the closest defibrillator to you visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/defibs