Community groups granted life-saving devices

Mayor Tom Tate with QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Mitch Ware

More than 40 community groups have received funding to buy potentially life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The City of Gold Coast will invest more than $90,000 to help the 42 sporting and community groups across the Gold Coast purchase AEDs.

Mayor Tom Tate said 42 organisations have been approved for grant funding of up to $2,400 each to buy the life-saving devices.

“These devices are easy to use and save lives, and I know that from first-hand experience, after my wife suffered a cardiac arrest in 2017,” Mayor Tate said.

“I performed CPR until medical help arrived and a defibrillator was used, which ultimately saved her life.”

The initiative is a key component of the City’s 2028 Community Safety Program.

“Having immediate access to a defibrillator can increase the likelihood of survival for those experiencing cardiac arrest,” Mayor Tate said.

“Thanks to this investment, community access to these devices will increase, ensuring more spaces are equipped in the event of an emergency.

“It also complements our existing network of publicly accessible defibrillators at City facilities, including libraries, major sporting venues and many community centres.”

All successful applicants will register their defibrillators with the Queensland Ambulance Service so first responders are aware of AED locations.

The City also partners with the Ambulance Service to deliver free CPR awareness sessions to the community.

The organisations approved for funding were:

• Ashmore Men’s Shed Inc

• Burleigh Bombers Australian Football Club

• Burleigh Heads Soccer Club ‘The Bulldogs’ Inc

• CHABAD of Gold Coast and Northern Rivers Inc

• Christian Community Church Ltd (OurChurch)

• Coomera Radio Yacht Club Inc

• CrossLife Property

• Cycling Without Age Australia Inc

• Dragons Abreast Gold Coast Inc

• Fierce Females Ltd

• GemLife Gold Coast Home Owners Association Inc

• Gold Coast Community Legal Centre & Advice Bureau Inc

• Gold Coast MG Car Club Inc

• Gold Coast Skill Centre Inc

• Gold Coast Snooker & Billiards Club Inc

• Gold Coast Street Rodders Association Inc

• Hinterland District Netball Association Inc

• Kennedy Pacific Swimming Club Inc.

• Kirra Surfstock Inc

• Labrador Community Garden

• Labrador Cricket Club Inc

• Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc

• Mudgeeraba Show Society Inc

• Mudgeeraba Soccer Club Inc

• Northcliffe Surf Lifesaving Club Inc

• Outrigger Canoe Club of Australia

• Pacific Pines Australian Football Club (Pacific Power AFL Club)

• Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Rules Football Club

• Palm Beach State School P&C

• Powerhouse Gold Coast Arm Wrestling Club

• QCWA Branch Coomera

• Robina Australian Rules Football Club Inc

• Robina Raptors Junior Rugby League Football Club Inc

• Runaway Bay Junior Rugby League Football Club

• Runaway Bay Little Athletics

• Southport Surf Life Saving Club Inc

• Springbrook Mountain Community Association

• St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland

• Surfers Paradise Brass Band

• Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club Inc

• Wild About Agility Gold Coast - Agility Dog Club Inc

• Wildcare Australia Inc