A DEFIBRILLATOR bought by Kerang community groups has now been installed in the main street.
The purchase of the potentially life-saving device was initiated by Kerang venue owners Keith and Kristie Lavell, who organised a motorcycle run earlier this year to raise funds for it.
Ms Lavell said her husband, Keith, had originally come up with the idea of providing a device that was accessible 24 hours a day.
“We always planned to put one in the main street,” she said.
The couple, who are members of The Dodgy Few Social Motorcycle Club, organised the club’s inaugural fundraising Poker Run in March.
Ms Lavell said the event, which was also aimed at bringing people to the shire, went very well.
“Everybody had a fantastic time, it went off without a hitch and we raised $900,” she said.
The Bus Stop Recycle Shop then contributed a grant to top up funds for the defibrillator, with the Kerang Progress Association also chipping in.
After it was purchased the Gannawarra Shire took charge of it.
Now mounted on a wall outside Chino’s cafe in Victoria Street, the automated external defibrillator, or AED, was officially launched on Wednesday, which coincided with Ambulance Victoria’s Restart A Heart Day.
Ambulance Victoria paramedics were on hand in Victoria Square to demonstrate the use of the AED and emphasise the need to use it in conjunction with prompt CPR.
Gannawarra Shire mayor, Lorraine Learmonth, said the council would work with local traders and community leaders to organise training for the defibrillator.
