A public access defibrillator has been installed at 12 local primary schools in the Mount Alexander Shire as a way to give back to the community.

"When our team discussed a way we could say thank you to our community for their ongoing support, providing this expensive technology clearly aligned with the values of our Community Bank," Maldon bank branch manager Adam Balzan said.

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The new defibrillators, which are fixed externally to buildings throughout the community, are accessible 24/7 and are designed to assist in emergency scenarios.

As well as providing a priceless benefit to the community, the new defibrillators will relieve some of the stress for emergency services workers and volunteers, who respond to these calls.

CHIRP Community Health nurse Bronwyn Grieve has worked closely with the Community Bank throughout this project and said she couldn't thank them enough for their support.

"You are amazing, you make my heart sing and you are showing that you are putting your communities first by putting your money back into these towns," she said.

"Defibs save lives and the more accessible they are, the faster one can be used on someone to potentially save their life.

"Schools have large populations of people, are often central to a community and easy to find in an emergency so it makes a lot of sense to install the defibs there."

Ms Grieve has been on a mission to ensure defibs are accessible and staff are educated on their use.

"I provide education and support around using the defibs to the school staff and in some schools we have included teaching the whole school how to access and use the machines," she said.

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"I have been trying to get a defib put in a public area and within 5 minutes of anywhere anyone is within the Mount Alexander Shire for a few years now and this project has helped this aim enormously.

"My aim now is to map where all our defibs are and see where the remaining gaps are- and try to fill them so we can all feel safe that we have an accessible defib near us wherever we are."

Members of the community with defibrillators can register them with Ambulance Victoria online at www.reigstermyaed.ambulance.vic.gov.au or call 1800 233 734.

Schools who received a defibrillator from Community Bank Maldon and District are Dunolly Primary, Maldon Primary, Newstead Primary, Harcourt Valley Primary, Bealiba Primary, Castlemaine Primary, Winters Flat Primary, Campbells Creek Primary, Chewton Primary, Elphinstone Primary, Taradale Primary and Castlemaine Secondary.

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