ON Sunday 12 February, residents at Valla Beach forsook their regular mid-morning activities to attend a training session for the area’s Community Defib Project, followed by an official launch of the program.

By 10am the Community Hall, located at the rear of the Preschool site, was overflowing with folk eager to learn how to use the newly installed defibrillators, seven units in total.

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“An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a portable device that can be used to shock the heart back to a normal rhythm and will verbally instruct the user on a step-by-step basis,” said project manager Julie Collins.
Early in 2022, the Valla Community Resilience Team initiated the project after identifying the need for this medical emergency facility to be on the ground within several strategic locations throughout the district.

Training facilitator Carpet Hughes is an experienced practising paramedic and Director of the ‘Defibshop’.

“In any medical emergency situations calm reactions are key, and having the knowledge to use this equipment appropriately can save lives,” Mr Hughes emphasised during the 90 minute session.

As in many rural and small village locations where communities are disadvantaged by diminishing medical services, we see combined local efforts come to the fore.

“Pat, Julie and the Valla Beach community should be applauded for their efforts in making their own community safer as they have banded together over a prolonged period of time to fundraise for seven defibrillators, without asking for government funding, well done,” said Nationals candidate for Oxley Michael Kemp.

Nambucca Valley Mayor Rhonda Hoban reiterated her congratulations to the enduring efforts of the project coordinators.

By Jen HETHERINGTON