Arabic version: تكريم إلين فريزر-باربور بجهاز إزالة رجفان آلي في وسط أستراليا

According to ABC News, family and friends have remembered South Australian disability advocate Ellen Fraser-Barbour with an automated external defibrillator and plaque at Ellery Creek Big Hole, 80 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Dr Fraser-Barbour drowned while swimming at the Northern Territory location in April.

A small ceremony was held five months after her death, attended by her mother, Susie Fraser, family members and friends. Ms Fraser thanked first responders and St John Ambulance for installing the potentially life-saving device in the remote location. She said the initiative had found “some way of making something positive come out of something which was so tragic”.

William Sears, duty manager at Alice Springs Ambulance Station, who was involved in Dr Fraser-Barbour’s care, said the day had been difficult because of the challenges of providing emergency healthcare in remote Central Australia. He said there was no aeromedical response and that the closest ambulance response was roughly an hour away by road. Mr Sears said the memorial offered a chance to provide life-saving equipment and help the family with closure.

Abbey Studley, regional manager for St John Ambulance Northern Territory, said frontline workers did not often get to speak with families after tragedies or take part in commemorations. She said the AED aligned with Dr Fraser-Barbour’s belief in equal rights. At the time of her death, the 35-year-old was described as a passionate disability advocate who loved travelling and hiking. Her sister Harriet said Ellen was “a fierce and defiant force” who would be deeply missed by family and community.