The Camperdown community has been gifted a life-saving device in honour of a Ballarat woman who loved to holiday in the lakeside town.
Now a Camperdown local, Greg Madden recently gifted an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Lakes & Craters Holiday Park in memory of his partner Faye who sadly passed away from cancer.
Ambulance Victoria Team Manager Andrew Berry (left) and Greg Madden (right) displaying the donated Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device.
AEDs are used to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest and play a vital role in a person’s survival.
Mr Madden said he wanted to do something to help the community.
“I read about someone donating an AED in the local paper and I thought that was a good idea,” he said.
“I spoke to the local paramedics and we decided the caravan park, which is a very popular spot, would be a good location.”
Ambulance Victoria Team Manager Andrew Berry said Mr Madden’s generosity would potentially save lives.
“We know that about 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survive,” Mr Berry said.
“But when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, the person’s chance of survival more than doubles.
“Greg’s generous donation to the Camperdown community will make a real difference and is a wonderful way to pay tribute to his beloved partner Faye who loved this spot.”
The AED is located inside the check-in lodge, which is accessible 24 hours a day within the Lakes & Craters Holiday Park.
The AED has been registered with Ambulance Victoria, allowing Triple Zero Victoria call-takers to inform callers of its location during a medical emergency.
There are currently 15 AEDs registered with Ambulance Victoria in Camperdown.
Mr Madden said the caravan park was a special place for him and his late partner.
“We had many happy memories from our time there,” he said.
“If this AED saves one person, then that’s a good thing.”
