Gift of life for Bendigo Primary School

BENDIGO (Violet Street) Primary School has welcomed the arrival of a potentially life saving defibrillator, courtesy of a community partnership between Bendigo Primary Care Centre and national not-for-profit organisation Defib For Life.

Defib For Life has spent 15 years campaigning to make defibrillators more accessible, placing over 6000 of them into sports clubs, schools and workplaces during that time.

Bendigo Primary School principal Carolyn Tavener said the school was very grateful to both organisations for the generous donation.

“Having a defibrillator on-site adds another layer of care for our students, staff, families and visitors and shows the strength of our local partnerships,” she said.

Callum Wright, general manager of the Bendigo Primary Care Centre, said there’s a lot to love about the Defib For Life initiative.

“Many people would think supplying the defib is enough, but this shows what happens when people go above and beyond to make our schools and communities safer,” he said.

The donation is especially poignant for the organisation’s founder, Andrew White.

Days before the Violet Street delivery, a life was saved using one of the units at Rupertswood Football Netball Club – the same club, and on the very same day, that a fatal incident occurred 15 years ago and sparked the organisation’s founding.

“We don’t just drop off a device and walk away,” he said.

“We stay involved because we know every second counts, and we want people to feel confident using these life-saving machines when the unthinkable happens.”

More information about Defib for Life is available on its website at defibforlife.org.au .