Established in 2003
proudly serving the Northern Suburbs
29 OCTOBER, 2024
Shiver me timbers Amedeo Gallicchio and his family love Halloween. For the past two years, Mr Gallicchio has built a spooky display in the garden of his Craigieburn home for his children and locals to enjoy. This year’s display has a pirate theme, complete with a pirate ship built out of recycled and refurbished materials. His wife, Jess, said construction works commenced more than a month ago. “We have been in Halloween mode for a while now,” she said. “My husband just really likes Halloween and likes to build stuff. “We have gone bigger this year.” The family is expecting a large crowd on October 31, after last year’s display drew people from all over Craigieburn despite not being advertised. Halloween lovers young and old are encouraged to dress up for their visit to the display at 8 Swansea Court, with entry by gold coin donation. Details: https://tinyurl.com/mtzhdnxa For more frightful Halloween fun,
turn to page 14. Amedeo Gallicchio has built a Halloween display at his Craigieburn house. (Damjan Janevski) 438977_01
Cousin’s life-saving actions Almost two years ago, Peter Reynolds received the greatest Christmas gift: a family member saved his life. The 66-year-old, from Westmeadows, had a cardiac arrest and is sharing his story during Shocktober to encourage others to learn lifesaving skills. Mr Reynolds was helping his cousin, Stephen Gustus, move house on December 23, 2022, when he suddenly collapsed, hit his head and became unresponsive. Mr Gustus moved his cousin onto his back and checked his vital signs while calling his mum, Shar, who was downstairs. After realizing Mr Reynolds wasn’t breathing, Mr Gustus immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
while his mum called triple-0. Working together, the pair took turns performing effective CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene. After spending six days in intensive care at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Mr Reynolds returned home and recovered with no lasting effects. Mr Gustus said he had learnt CPR through a first aid course but had never needed to use it before. “I thought he was going to die if I didn’t act fast, so I wasted no time starting compressions,” he said. “The gravity of what happened has definitely sunk in now and I realize how precious life is.” Ambulance Victoria acting area manager
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Thomastown shopping centre
12712900-JB40-24
Lucy Claridge said Peter’s story shows how important early bystander intervention is for cardiac arrest cases. “We want everyone to know that you don’t have to be a paramedic to save a life, you just have to remember to call (call triple-0), push (perform CPR), shock (use an AED).” Thanks to the quick thinking of those around him, Mr Reynolds has made a full recovery. “In my eyes, Stephen is the real hero as he overcame the emotion of seeing a loved one like that and focused on my health and what he needed to do to save me,” he said. “His quick thinking made all the difference. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for his efforts.”
Stephen Gustus helped save his counsin, Peter Reynolds’ life after he had a cardiac arrest. (Supplied)
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