St John Ambulance Victoria is proud to announce the winners of the Shocktober 2025 Competition, with Andrews Centre (Endeavour Hills) and Belgrave South Primary School each receiving a publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and outdoor cabinet to help protect their communities.

The annual Shocktober competition raises awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, one of the leading causes of death in Australia, and highlights the importance of having readily accessible AEDs in community spaces. This year’s winners were selected from hundreds of applications across the state, each demonstrating a strong need for lifesaving equipment where the community gathers, learns and seeks support.

Supporting Communities Where It Matters Most

The Andrews Centre in Endeavour Hills was nominated by CEO Judy Martin, who emphasised the critical need for emergency equipment within a busy community hub that supports vulnerable families, seniors, youth and people in crisis.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this defibrillator,” Judy said. “Knowing we now have this life-saving device accessible to the public gives our centre, and our community, greater peace of mind.”

The Centre’s defibrillator was officially handed over on Monday 8 December.

At Belgrave South Primary School, the importance of safety and first aid education drove the nomination from Georgie Junghenn, Classroom Teacher and Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader.

“A defibrillator is something you hope to never use but having one means our school is better prepared for any emergency,” Georgie said. “It gives confidence to our staff, families and local community.”

The school’s handover also took place on Monday 8 December.

Why Public Access to Defibrillators Matters

Almost 8,000 Victorians experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, yet fewer than 5% survive. Only 141 people in 2024 received a shock from a publicly accessible defibrillator, despite survival rates rising to as high as 70% when CPR and defibrillation occur within minutes.

St John Ambulance Victoria CEO Gordon Botwright says that’s why initiatives like Shocktober are so vital.

“Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Getting defibrillators into community spaces saves lives. These devices are simple to use, and when they’re available quickly, survival rates increase dramatically.”

St John continues to advocate for more AEDs in areas where people gather, play, learn, and work, particularly in communities where emergency medical response may take longer to arrive.

A Continuing Commitment to Community Safety

This year’s Shocktober winners reflect the diverse places where AEDs can make a life-or-death difference, from busy community support centres to local schools at the heart of regional townships.

St John will continue working with Victorians across the state to expand public access to defibrillators and ensure more communities are prepared to act in an emergency.

For more information about Shocktober or to learn how your organisation can get involved next year, visit the St John Ambulance Victoria website.