Belgrave South Primary School has been named one of two winners of St John Ambulance Victoria’s 2025 Shocktober Competition.
The win was significant as it granted the school a brand-new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and an outdoor access cabinet to help protect not only students and staff but also the wider community.
The AED handover event took place on Monday, 8 December, at 2.30pm at Belgrave South Primary School.
The school was entered into the competition by a classroom teacher and mental health and wellbeing leader, Georgie Junghenn, who highlighted the crucial role first aid readiness plays in both student safety and community wellbeing.
“When the competition appeared in my inbox, I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to apply, given my role as wellbeing leader,” Ms Junghenn said.
“Belgrave South is a small but incredibly close-knit community, with sporting clubs, local shops, and the school itself serving as a central hub. Our school is also located in a fire-prone area of the Dandenong Ranges and has a designated fire refuge in the gym.”
“We wanted to ensure a defibrillator was available not only for our students and staff but also for the wider community in case of an emergency. Winning the competition was an incredible surprise, and we know this AED will be a significant benefit for everyone in our area.”
There were over a hundred entries from all kinds, including other schools, but there were only two lucky winners for this year’s competition, as their story really stood out amongst the other entries.
The handover event involved a group of the school’s Grade 6 leaders, who were able to see the AED and the cabinet in person and take part in a demonstration.
“The students were thrilled to be part of the handover, they know the device will safeguard our school and community spaces that are often used by the public, including for sporting activities and voting days,” Ms Junghenn said.
Students also had the opportunity to practice using a demonstration AED to build on their previous first aid training provided by St John Ambulance.
“The students had the chance to practice with a demonstration AED provided by St John Ambulance,” Ms Junghenn said.
“This built on their earlier first aid training with the organisation and allowed them to gain practical experience in a safe environment, and reinforce the importance of emergency preparedness.”
She said the importance of equipping children with life-saving skills cannot be overstated.
“You never know when these skills might be needed,” Ms Junghenn said.
“Our students are mature and responsible, and they take on leadership roles both at school and in the wider community very seriously. Preparing them to respond confidently in an emergency, including knowing how to call for help and use a defibrillator, benefits not just our students but the entire community.”
St John Ambulance Victoria chief executive officer, Gordon Botwright, said the donation supports the organisation’s ongoing effort to expand lifesaving access in schools and community spaces.
“When cardiac arrest occurs, every second counts,” Mr Botwright said.
“We know that having a defibrillator within 400 metres dramatically increases the chance of survival. Schools like Belgrave South Primary are central community hubs, making this donation an important step in keeping more Victorians safe.”
Community access to AEDs is critical, in Victoria alone, there are almost 8000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year, with fewer than five per-cent surviving and timely defibrillation combined with CPR can increase survival rates to as high as 70 per-cent.
“Our school is the only location within a two-kilometre radius with a publicly accessible defibrillator,” Ms Junghenn said.
“The device is housed in a secure metal cabinet; in an emergency, ambulance staff can direct members of the public to it and provide the access code. This means the AED will support the wider community as well as our school.”
Ms Junghenn said the school community was thrilled by the news.
“We were absolutely delighted and pleasantly surprised,” she said.
“Leadership were thrilled the initiative had been taken to apply, and it’s clear this AED will be an invaluable asset for our students and the broader community alike.”
