A defibrillator installed by the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran has been stolen from outside of Warrumbungle Shire Council’s Coonabarabran chambers. The Club is now looking for a positive solution.

Having access to a defibrillator in public spaces can determine thedifferencebetween life and death.

When a sudden cardiac arrest strikes, an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be used before paramedics arrive.

St John’s Ambulance, NSW have stated that the chance of survival can increase to 70 per cent with access to an AED.

They also found over 300,000 Australians suffer from cardiac arrest each year and less than five per cent of those survive without an AED.

Living rurally can mean ambulances are not readily available and supportive technology can be necessary for survival.

In September of 2023, the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran recognised the need to place public AED’s around town.

Their aim was to make the machines easily accessible by the public in case of emergencies.

Rotarian, Mal Unicomb said at the end of January it was observed that the machine near the Council chambers was missing.

While the exact date of the theft is unknown, the machine was placed close to a CCTV camera.

The matter has been reported to Police, with hopes to uncover the offender.

“The unit will be replaced as the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran acknowledge how important these devices are in preserving life,” Mr Unicomb said.

“Police investigations will hopefully turn up an offender and recover the item.

“Depending on the condition it will either  be put back into service or replaced.”

Rotary president, Russ James said the matter was a community issue and opened up a larger opportunity - to connect to the youth, rather than placing blame.

“It is easy to get disappointed that these things happen. The bigger challenge is how to connect better with youth in the community, so they don’t feel a need to do these things,” Mr James said.

“We want to look at the solution rather than the problem.

“We can look at providing the kids with more activities and show support where wecan–itcantake a community to raise a kid.”

Although the defibrillator theft may appear as a senseless act, funding from Rotary is there to support the community.

Do you know more? Contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000

PHOTO: Coonabarabran Rotarian, Mal Unicomb, pictured with the missing defibrillator outside the Coonabarabran chambers of Warrumbungle Shire Council.