The funding comes as part of the latest Volunteer Grants Program and was announced by Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon this week. According to Mr Fitzgibbon, the lifesaving piece of equipment is a welcome addition to the club and will complement its health and safety response by enabling volunteers to provide valuable assistance in the case of a heart attack, prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

The portable defibrillator will also be used at public events, including the annual Rathmines Catalina Festival which attracts over 10,000 community members. More than 150 volunteers work on the annual May event to ensure the festival's ongoing success. The Rathmines Catalina Association has roughly 50 volunteers working on the restoration of a historical World War II Catalina flying boat, as well as history memorabilia categorisation projects.

"Defibrillators are potentially lifesaving pieces of equipment and I thank the Rathmines Catalina Association for making the safety and health of their volunteers, and the wider a community, such a priority," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"Every minute counts when it comes to a heart attack. According to NSW Health, CPR and defibrillation within the first 8 to 10 minutes can increase the chance of survival by up to 75 per cent following cardiac arrest."

"The Rathmines Catalina Association volunteers spend countless hours contributing to the conservation and promotion of Rathmines' rich history."