General News
20 September, 2023
Funds raised for safer community
TERANG residents are a little safer this week thanks to the continued efforts of the Terang and Mortlake Health Service Ladies Auxiliary.
TERANG residents are a little safer this week thanks to the continued efforts of the Terang and Mortlake Health Service Ladies Auxiliary.
The auxiliary donated funding to allow the health service to purchase a new defibrillator to be located at the Josie Black Community Health Centre.
There had been a defibrillator located at Josie Black Community Health Centre, however the new donation will allow the old defibrillator to be moved to the day centre bus to ensure access for clients at all times.
TMHS director of community health Jane Bourman thanked auxiliary members for their continued support of the health service and the community.
“Staff at the Josie Black Community Health Centre are thrilled to be the recipient of a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) purchased through the generous support of the TMHS auxiliary,” she said.
“The auxiliary, ably led by president Bernadette McKinnon, runs several events during the year and their fundraising efforts enable the health service to purchase valuable medical items such as this
public access defibrillator.”
Ms Bourman said the resource would prove invaluable as cardiac arrests were among the leading causes of death in Australia, however survival rates were significantly improved if a defibrillator can be quickly accessed.
“Each year there are about 20,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Australia, 20 times the annual fatal road toll,” she said.
“Public access to AEDs doubles the chance of survival.
“This new unit will stay at Josie Black Community Health Centre and our previous unit has been relocated to the day centre bus to ensure vital access wherever our clients go.”
TMHS Ladies Auxiliary member Nola Davey said being able to give back to the health service was a rewarding experience.
“It’s a good feeling,” she said.
“It’s important to have defibrillators around town which are easy to access and this is certainly true for clients of the health service.
“We’re happy to support the health service and the community in any way we can.”
Mrs Davey said the auxiliary hosts a number of functions each year to raise money for the health service, with the next being in-house music on Sunday, October 15.
The in-house music showcases some of the best local talent in intimate locations throughout town.
More information on the event will be published in upcoming Western District Newspapers publications, with tickets now available at Josie Black Community Health Centre.
Mrs Davey said the auxiliary hoped to increase its membership to ensure it was best positioned to support positive outcomes in the community.
“We’re looking to get some members to come along because we only have around four functions a year and a meeting maybe every two months,” she said.
“It’s very casual and it doesn’t require a large dedication of time, but all our money goes to the health service so it is a very good chance for people to be able to give back.”