The Penola and Districts Little Athletics Club is now well equipped to keep athletes and spectators even safer, thanks to the addition of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to their facilities.


The enthusiastic group of primary school children, parents and spectators meet at the Penola Primary School Oval throughout the latter part of the year.


President Emma Bowen said defibrillators for local sports organisations like Penola and Districts Little Athletics kept players safe, protected spectators and were a vital tool for the community.


“Every minute is vital so having it near the oval means we can get it to someone within a minute,” Ms Bowen said.


The AED is accessible for both children and adults without the need for changing accessories, and has been installed on the exterior of the Penola Primary School gym.


Ms Bowen said applying for the funding to purchase an AED – and placing it in the school grounds – was a way to give back to the community.


“We have been very fortunate to have access to the Penola Primary School oval and grounds for many years, so it was a natural choice to place the AED where it would be accessible to the whole school community and beyond,” she said.


The purchase of the AED has been made possible thanks to funding through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing under the Active Club Program, together with contributions by Penola and District Community branch of Bendigo Bank, TDC Property and Livestock and Bowen Estate.


An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that is used to diagnose and treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by delivering a shock to the heart.


The AED is designed to be user-friendly, even for people with little or no medical training, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to use it in an emergency situation.