Organisations responsible for sports facilities across the Lismore Electorate can apply for their share of $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government for new life-saving defibrillators, according to Lismore MP Janelle Saffin.

The equipment is funded under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which provides up to $3,000 to eligible sporting organisations for the purchase of automated external defibrillators at sports facilities.

Since the program started, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across the state. In Lismore, that includes Lismore Old Boys Rugby League Football Club, Lismore City Bowling and Recreation Club, South Lismore Bowling and Recreation Club, Lismore Tennis Club and Marist Brothers Junior Rugby League Club.

Applications close on 27 November 2024 or when funding is exhausted. For further information, including eligibility criteria, please see the program guidelines at: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “With our high participation rates in organised sports and public spaces lending themselves to outdoor recreation, it’s critical that as many local sports facilities as possible are equipped to respond to potentially life-threatening incidents.

“This popular program traditionally has had a strong take-up rate, so I urge eligible sporting organisations to make an application in this funding round to increase the coverage of defibrillators in our towns and villages.

“Every life saved is worth it.”

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said, “With more than 9,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in NSW each year, the first few minutes following an incident are critical, and access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death.

“The NSW Government wants to ensure people participating in sport have access to this life-saving equipment.

“The Local Sport Defibrillator Program ensures clubs are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.”

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said, “Being able to access a defibrillator quickly and easily could be the difference between life and death for someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

“In fact, survival rates nearly double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.

“Currently, just one in 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive.

“This is a sobering statistic, but it’s one we can change for the better by installing more of these lifesaving devices in sports clubs across the State.”