Community push leads to joint funding of defibrillator for Cooma Swim Centre

From left (out of pool): Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Peter Beer; Councillor Rogan Corbett; Member for Monaro John Barilaro; Local Member of the NSW Legislative Council Bronnie Taylor; and Cooma Swim Centre’s Michelle Thomas and Lorraine Alford. Photo: Supplied.

The Cooma Swim Centre is set to receive a defibrillator after a push from the community prompted a joint funding agreement between the NSW Government and Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

The NSW Government and council will each contribute $1000 to cover the cost of the new defibrillator.

Every year, more than 30,000 Australians have a cardiac arrest. A defibrillator analyses a patient’s heart rhythm and determines whether an electric shock is needed. It is issued when a person has a sudden cardiac arrest.

An automated external defibrillator, or AED, can be used by anybody in an emergency and generally guides the user through each step.

Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the funding will help save lives, and that early access to CPR and defibrillation can significantly influence survival rates.

“Nobody ever wants to be in a situation where they need to use a defibrillator, particularly when they’re having fun with family and friends at their local pool,” he said.

“But this defibrillator will help put many people’s minds at ease. Just knowing this lifesaving equipment is on hand will mean we don’t have to worry about the worst case scenario.”

Local Member of the NSW Legislative Council Bronnie Taylor said the new equipment will benefit the local community for years to come.

“This device will be crucial to saving lives in an emergency, while also providing peace of mind for individuals and families enjoying the pool and facilities,” she said.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Peter Beer welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the cost of a defibrillator for the Cooma Swim Centre.

“This will be an important resource for our community, ensuring we have a safe environment in which to enjoy activities, be it with friends and family, for schools and for swim squads,” he said.