The Griffith community will soon have access to more cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training equipment thanks to a partnership between the Heart Foundation’s Heart of the Nation program, Griffith City Council, Soroptimist International, the Griffith Heart Support Group and volunteer community trainers.
The lifesaving training devices, which were formally handed over at Griffith City Council on Friday, 11 September 2026, will give more residents the practical skills and confidence to act quickly if someone experiences a cardiac arrest. Building on Griffith’s participation in the Heart of the Nation pilot, the Griffith Heart Support Group has donated a CPR training mannequin and training AED to help free community awareness sessions continue. The importance of the partnership cannot be overstated, as only 1 in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. But if someone starts CPR straight away, the chances of survival can double. And if CPR and an AED are used within the first 3–5 minutes, survival rates can jump to 60–70%. Quotes attributable to Heart Foundation Program Lead Joanne Struck “Heart of the Nation is about turning bystanders into responders,” Ms Struck said. “We know that every minute counts during a cardiac arrest. By giving people the skills and confidence to start CPR and use an AED, we’re helping create communities that are better prepared to save lives.
“Griffith has embraced Heart of the Nation and shown a real commitment to learning these life-saving skills. This equipment means that momentum can continue, with local people helping to train and empower their community.”
Quotes attributable to Griffith City Council’s Economic & Organisational Development Director Shireen Donaldson
This equipment will help ensure more people in our community have the confidence and skills to respond if someone experiences a cardiac arrest,”: Ms Donaldson said.
“A cardiac arrest can happen at any time and often without warning. By making CPR and AED awareness training accessible, we’re helping build a community that is better prepared to step forward and potentially save a life.”
Quotes attributable to Soroptimists International’s Libby Trembath
“Our community is amazing. Thank you to the generosity of the Griffith Heart Support Group, we are able to continue to deliver these lifesaving awareness sessions in our community and beyond.
“The collaboration between the Heart Foundation, Soroptimist International Griffith, Griffith City Council and the volunteer trainers is a true reflection of our shared vision of a safer community for all.”
Through practical, hands-on learning, participants gain the confidence to recognise a cardiac arrest, call Triple Zero, start CPR and use an AED while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
Heart of the Nation is a Heart Foundation initiative that aims to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by making CPR and AED awareness training more accessible in communities across Australia
The Griffith community has already demonstrated strong support for the program, with 165 people attending training programs. The new training equipment will help ensure more residents have the opportunity to learn these potentially life-saving skills in the years ahead.
