Helping save lives

Generous donation will help keep community safe
Western AG Naracoorte has generously donated an automated external defibrillator (AED) device to Naracoorte Lucindale Council as part of the company’s 2022 Community Defib Project.

The project was initiated from Western AG’s Supporting Communities Campaign which involves donating AEDs to rural communities across Western AG’s regional footprint in Western Victoria, the Wimmera and South East South Australia.

The device is located at the Sound Shell in the Naracoorte Town Squares as approved by council due to the limited availability of a defibrillator in the area.

St John’s Australia reports that Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Australia and research shows that within the first few minutes of experiencing SCA, an increased chance in survival can be achieved if an AED is on hand. Therefore, the availability of AEDs in our communities can have a significant impact on the survival of someone experiencing SCA.

Western AG’s Manager – Business Development Chris Drew said they were passionate about creating a community-minded campaign, an umbrella, where new community- focussed projects could be introduced to support the regions where we live and operate in.

“For example, providing specific funding for a particular cause or pain point which, in the case of this year’s project, was establishing an AED installation program for our regional centres,” Mr Drew said.

“Western AG are passionate about crop, pasture and livestock production and are renowned for industry-leading agronomic management, adoption of new technology to improve farm productivity and the supply of farm inputs, cropping and animal health advice. Moreover, Western AG are equally as passionate about the regions where they live and operate in and are proud to introduce this year’s project that aims to have positive outcomes for members of the community.”

Western AG Naracoorte are located at 13 Brighton Drive. Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart said Naracoorte Lucindale Council, on behalf of the community, was hugely appreciative of Western AG’s donation of the AED, and its placement in a very publicly- accessible site.

“If this partnership can assist in the survival of someone experiencing a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, then it is a great outcome,” Mr Smart said.

LIFESAVER: Western AG’s Naracoorte Merchandise Manager – Chemical, Fertiliser and Seed – Steve Bounds (centre) and Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart and Deputy Mayor Cr Monique Crossling with the newly installed AED in the Naracoorte Town Squares.