Steve Kamper
Minister for Sport

Steve Whan
Member for Monaro

MEDIA RELEASE

Local Sports Clubs Receive Life-Saving Defibrillators

Tuesday, 7 May 2024

New life-saving defibrillators will be installed at local grassroots sports facilities following the awarding of grants in the NSW Government's Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Local sporting organisations Canberra Gliding Club and the Nimmitabel Show Society were among 193 to share in $500,000 with each organisation receiving up to $3,000 towards the purchase, installation, and training in a new automated external defibrillator.

The NSW Government is committed to rebuilding our grassroots sporting communities and ensuring local facilities are fit-for-purpose. The program was available to a range of clubs, associations, and council in the State's lowest socio-economic areas according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics SEIDA data.

For further information on the Local Sports Defibrillator Program, including the list of recipients, please visit:  https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:

"I'm pleased to see two Monaro based areas getting defibrillators, the Nimmitabel showground hosts many events, and it is an important emergency asset to have at the grounds. The second recipient is the gliding club, both locations are some way from the nearest ambulance.

"The ability to access to easy-to-use defibrillators does save lives, and we now have them in many emergency service vehicles and community locations, but it is important to keep rolling them out and I would encourage other Monaro sporting clubs to look at applying for future rounds of this program. 

"I would also urge individuals not to be afraid to use the defibrillators if another person needs it. You don't need training to use these, and you could save a life."

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

"Heart attacks and heart disease do not discriminate, and access to a defibrillator immediately following a cardiac arrest can mean the difference between life and death.

"The NSW Government wants to ensure that people participating in sport in the State's most disadvantaged areas have access to the same life-saving equipment as people in more affluent areas. 

"The NSW Government's Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program ensures that our smallest community sport and recreation clubs are equipped to respond to life-threatening emergencies."

Professor Jamie Vandenburg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said:

"Nine out of 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital won't survive.

"But your chances are greatly increased if there is a defibrillator close at hand.

"It's fantastic to see that more sports clubs across NSW will now have these life-saving devices installed as a result of these grants.

"Every second counts when it comes to surviving a sudden cardiac arrest."