13 MAY 2026 | ISSUE 596 | FREE
GOULBURN RIVER & RANGES
EVERY SECOND COUNTS Nagambie’s Heart Safe Push Could Save Lives
Nagambie is taking an important step toward becoming a safer and more prepared community, with a new defibrillator donated as part of the Heart Safe Communities program. The initiative, led by Ambulance Victoria in partnership with Heart Foundation Australia, is a 12-month program focused on giving everyday people the confidence and skills to respond in a cardiac emergency. As part of the initiative, the automated external defibrillator (AED) has been installed on the exterior wall at the northern side entry of the Nagambie Mechanics Institute, a location chosen for its central position and ability to provide 24-hour public access — a key priority of the program. Residents are encouraged to take a moment to familiarise themselves with its location so they can act quickly in an emergency. The importance of that access was reinforced during discussions with local paramedics and community members, who shared that having a defibrillator within the first minute of a cardiac
arrest can dramatically improve survival chances. As local trainer Neil McLeod put it, “getting a defib on in that first minute can make all the difference.”
participants, learning how to call Triple Zero and assist in an emergency, reinforcing the idea that even the youngest members of the community can play a role in saving a life.
Ambulance Victoria data shows that when a cardiac arrest patient receives a shock from a public AED before paramedics arrive, survival rates can rise to 63 per cent, compared to just seven per cent when there is no bystander CPR or defibrillator use.
In fact, the program has already exceeded its initial goal of training 10 per cent of the community, with 17 per cent of the community taking part so far.
While Nagambie already has several defibrillators located around the town, including at the post office, golf club and other community sites, only a limited number are accessible around the clock. The newly installed AED increases the number of registered devices in Nagambie to 16. Expanding that 24/7 network is a major focus of the Heart Safe Communities program, alongside improving awareness of where devices are located and ensuring they are registered so Triple Zero operators can direct callers to the nearest one. Alongside the installation, the program is building strong momentum through education. Local efforts, led by Ambulance Victoria’s Neil McLeod and supported by fellow personnel, have already seen hundreds of residents take part in CPR and emergency response training sessions. From local schools to the Nagambie Lakes Community House, senior groups and sporting clubs, the program has reached deep into the community. Children have been active
Those involved in the rollout, including community members and leaders such as Mechanics Institute president Hugh Lawrence, say the strength of the program lies in its local approach with neighbours helping neighbours, and everyday people gaining the confidence to act in those first critical minutes before paramedics arrive. Mr Lawrence said it’s really about the town looking after its own. “It could be a friend, a neighbour, or someone in your family — that’s who this is for,” he said. The program also encourages residents to sign up to the GoodSAM app, which alerts nearby trained volunteers to cardiac emergencies, creating a network of immediate responders within the town. Mr McLeod said one of the biggest messages of the program is that people should never be afraid to step in and help. “Anyone can use a defib — you just open it and
follow the instructions,” he said. Nagambie is one of 12 Victorian towns currently undertaking the Heart Safe Communities program, joining more than 50 communities across the state that have already completed the initiative. What is emerging in Nagambie is far more than a health initiative — it is a communitywide commitment to looking after one another. Through greater access to defibrillators, strong participation in CPR training, and the support of local volunteers, emergency services and community groups, Nagambie is building a culture where more people feel ready and confident to step in when it matters most. Because in those critical moments before paramedics arrive, it may not just be emergency services saving a life — it could be a neighbour, a workmate, a friend, or an everyday member of the Nagambie community. Go Nagambie is also working with Ambulance Victoria to create a detailed map of defibrillator locations across the township. Organisations and businesses with a defibrillator are encouraged to send through details of their device and location to help ensure they are recorded and easily accessible in an emergency. Email sissy@gonagambie.com.au