By Peter Hayne and Tanya Steele
Monbulk and District Rotary have fundraised, bought and fitted an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at The Patch Post office and cafe.
The formal presentation of the defib to Patch Store owner Natalie, to hold in trust for the community, was held on Thursday 6 February and attended by many locals who celebrated the installation over coffees and a beautiful morning tea.
“Natalie is an old friend of Rotary, and one who was very supportive of the community during COVID. I was grateful for her ability to provide our community with support then, just as she is doing now,” said Rob Clark, Joint President of Monbulk Rotary.
“This is a very special occasion for the Rotary Club, now The Patch has one,” he said.
“We’ve fundraised for the purchase of this – along with a handsome contribution from Defibrillators Australia.”
The defib will complete a series of life-saving devices in the Monbulk-The Patch circle, which includes defibs at Monbulk Police Station, Monbulk Primary, The Sports Pavilion on Moores Rd and Mitre 10 among several other venues.
Knowing where these machines are will likely save lives, and The Patch defib is a talking model which is simple to use with verbal instructions in an emergency. Just turn it on and do what it asks.
Using electricity, a defibrillator is a device that uses to re-starts the heart or shock it back into a normal rhythm.
AED’s like the one installed are usually found in public spaces and can be used by anyone.
Monbulk and District Rotary has previously organised a lecture and training session to train locals how to use AED’s, with over 50 people attending before Christmas 2024 at the Monbulk Hub.
Alternate Joint President Peter Hayne said that now the group have one on standby in the Patch, it’s time to organise a training session there.
“Perhaps in The Patch hall,” he said.
The Rotary also said they would like to give special thanks to Lyn Spokes from Defibrillators Australia.
“This company provided financial assistance in the form of a grant with this purchase,” they said.
“They also provided all necessary information materials, help with he formalities for setup and registration of the unit and follow up assistance ass required.
The newly installed defib is well signposted and fitted into a metal box attached to the outside wall of the Patch Post office, ready should the need arise.
