The Australian Services Union (ASU) has donated a heart defibrillator to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to be used when visitors suffer heart attacks. Premier John Brumby launched the defibrillator this week.

Defibrillators are being donated by the Union to commemorate the memory of David Taylor, former WA Branch President and a member of the ASU's National Executive for nearly 30 years.

Approximately 500,000 visitors use Southern Cross Station each week. During the 2007/08 financial year, Ambulance Victoria responded to 133 emergency cases of which five were cardiac arrest incidents. Forty Station staff have been trained in the use of the defibrillators and CPR. After finishing a shift volunteering as a Tourism Ambassador at the Perth Airport, David suffered a heart attack. He survived only thanks to the heart defibrillator that had been donated two days previously.

On being released from hospital David worked closely with St John Ambulance and decided with his family to donate a portable defibrillator to the Perth Zoo. Tragically, David passed away during the presentation of that defibrillator in April 2007.

"The ASU is proud to donate heart defibrillators in David Taylor's memory. He was a passionate unionist who defended the rights of workers and contributed generously to community life. Through these donations the ASU hopes to continue his legacy," said ASU National Secretary Paul Slape.

Five defibrillators were launched at Southern Cross Station this week by Premier John Brumby, including the one donated by the ASU. For further information, see the Victorian Government media release below.

The Southern Cross Station defibrillator is the second to be donated by the ASU - the first was donated to Kings Park in Perth, WA's most popular tourist attraction. For more information on the first donation, visit our news item "Help for more heart attack victims at hand".

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