After on-field deaths, Ku-ring-gai looks to expand defibrillator access across the LGA

In Ku-ring-gai, there are currently only three publicly accessible defibrillators in the LGA’s 85 square kilometers. A move from the local council could change that.

Lifesaver: Councillors and locals are pushing for the installation of more of the life-saving devices across the Ku-ring-gai region at sporting fields, community buildings, and public parks.

The initiative is dedicated to Lachlan Ward, a local rugby player who passed away during a match in 2017, due to cardiac arrest. 

Public health investment: While you might think these defibrillators see little use, they frequently save lives in the context of local sports. St Ives Football Club has been fundraising to supply defibrillators to local football teams for years, since one of their own, Emin Rufati, died from a heart attack while playing in 2015.

Rufati’s widow, Jen, spoke at a public forum last week advocating for the installation of defibrillators in public places. 

• “The ABS reported in August this year that heart-related deaths are the second highest mortality rate after cancer” Rufati said. “Between 2014 and 2022 there were 61 sudden death cases in Australian football.”

• “How those lives and families could have been changed if they had access to a defibrillator.”

Local football clubs: The president of the St Ives Football Club, Lyle Hudson, told the Lorikeet that since the club has invested in defibrillators, many lives have been saved. They have seen use as recently as six weeks ago, when one was used to save the life of a player at Cammeray Oval. 

However, these devices are not publicly accessible, and are kept locked inside the team clubhouse.

For social and pick-up games, as well as clubs that aren’t able to fund their own defibrillators, these public devices can be life saving.

Hudson said the club already has a federal grant to install a publicly accessible defibrillator at Warrimoo Oval: they just need council approval to go ahead. 

The motion has been led by councillor Matt Devlin, who told the Lorikeet the policy is about “boosting our public health network”.

“If we save one life, it’ll be a great success.”