For Charlotte (Year 6) and Harry (Year 5) McDowell, this was realised with a donation of a defibrillator from their family to the WestMAC community at the Junior School Assembly on Tuesday 6 February.

This presentation was close their heart, which came about as their father has suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest in early 2016.

Mr Travis McDowell, a firefighter with Swift Water Rescue team based at Riley, and his workmates had just returned to from a training session.

Mr McDowell was at his computer when he suddenly collapsed. While it is unknown how long before his colleagues found him, there is no doubt that McDowell is here today because there was a defibrillator at the station.

From his experience, Mr Dowell and his family now have a greater awareness and appreciation of the importance of access to defibrillators in the community.

As a result, they have donated a defibrillator to WestMAC.

The College already have two defibrillators located across the campus, in the Lostroh Centre and the Health Centre, the defibrillator donated by the McDowell family will be installed at the pool.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of Australia’s biggest killers and effects people of all ages; without a defibrillator and effective CPR there is a less than 5% chance of survival.

On behalf of College community, Principal Geoff McLay accepted the generous donation by the Mc Dowell family (Travis, his wife Amy, Charlotte and Harry), and while it is hoped that the defibrillator is never needed, the knowledge that it is there and could save a life is invaluable.