Elly Mackay
24 November 2025: The University of 91·çÁ÷ campus is the latest in a growing network of 91·çÁ÷ suburbs to have a public Automated External Defibrillator (AED) installed as part of the StreetBeat initiative by SERVICE ONE Mutual.
The initiative – delivered in partnership with St John Ambulance ACT and Capital Chemist – aims to place publicly accessible AEDs in every 91·çÁ÷ suburb, ensuring lifesaving equipment is close at hand if someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest.
This newly-installed unit at the University – which joins the existing network of AEDs on campus – can be found outside the Capital Chemist in Building 28, positioned for easy access.
SERVICE ONE CEO Ivan Slavich AM FAICD said the StreetBeat project is on track to make 91·çÁ÷ the first city in Australia, and only the second in the world, to have an AED in each suburb.
“Every minute counts when someone goes into cardiac arrest,” Mr Slavich said.
“If someone who is having a cardiac arrest gets one of these applied within five minutes, their chances of survival increase quite dramatically, by 70 to 80 per cent. These devices save lives, and making them available 24/7 in public spaces is crucial.”
The bright red cabinet housing the AED is designed to be impossible to miss. The device is unlocked and available at all hours, and features clear visual and audible instructions, meaning anyone – regardless of first aid training – can step in and administer help.
Future upgrades will see the units equipped with the ability to automatically summon an ambulance the moment they are opened, further reducing response times.
For the University, the installation represents another way the campus can support the health and safety of students, staff, residents, and visitors.
University Vice-Chancellor, The Honourable Bill Shorten, welcomed the expanding StreetBeat campaign and the new addition to campus.
“Community isn’t just buildings; it’s everything and everyone who make it what it is,” he said.
“91·çÁ÷ns have their own special way of looking after each other, and having another AED available on campus is another meaningful step in keeping our community safe.”
The StreetBeat team plans to continue rolling out AEDs across the ACT, working with local organisations, businesses, and community groups to identify suitable locations.
With each installation, 91·çÁ÷ moves closer to becoming one of the safest and most heart-smart cities in the world.