Disability advocate's tragic drowning spurs life-saving gesture

In short: 

Family and friends have paid tribute to disability advocate Ellen Fraser-Barbour, who died in April at a Northern Territory swimming hole.

First responders unveiled an automated external defibrillator and plaque at Ellery Creek Big Hole, 80 kilometres west of Alice Springs, in Dr Fraser-Barbour's honour.

Her mother, Susie Fraser, thanked St John Ambulance service for its initiative to provide a potentially life-saving device in a remote location.

A small but intimate ceremony was held at Ellery Creek Big Hole only five months after the death of disability advocate Ellen Fraser-Barbour, who tragically drowned while swimming in April this year.

Her mother, Susie Fraser, family and friends travelled to the site to unveil an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a plaque to honour the work and memory of Dr Fraser-Barbour.

Ms Fraser took the opportunity to thank the first responders and St John Ambulance service for providing the defibrillator. 

"I'd like to thank you all for your initiative in doing this and for finding some way of making something positive come out of something which was so tragic,"

she said.

"I think your will and determination to do this is incredibly important to us and that something positive can come out of something so shocking."

Closure for family

William Sears, duty manager at Alice Springs Ambulance Station, was involved in Dr Fraser-Barbour's care.

"It was a tough day for ambulance because of the challenges involved in providing emergency healthcare in remote Central Australia," he said.

"There is no aeromedical response, so the next closest ambulance response is roughly an hour via road."

Mr Sears said Dr Fraser-Barbour's family was supportive of the gesture to commemorate the work she had done in the disability sector.

"It's a good opportunity to not only provide some life-saving equipment in remote Central Australia, but to offer the family some closure and some help with their journey."

Abbey Studley, regional manager for St John Ambulance Northern Territory, said it was an honour to be included at the commemoration.

"It's not often, if not ever, that frontline workers get to speak with families after tragedies or even be a part of any commemoration services, and so it also forms part of our grieving process," she said.

"I think Dr Ellen Fraser Barber was a big believer in equal rights and something as simple as providing an AED in an area that doesn't normally have it, I think aligns really well with who she was."

Deeply missed

At the time of her death, the 35-year-old was championed as a passionate disability advocate who loved travelling and hiking.

Dr Fraser-Barbour's sister Harriet shared the impact on her family and the community in a statement to the ABC.

"Ellen was a fierce and defiant force who made a lasting impact on all that she encountered," she said.

"We cannot describe the hole she will leave in our family, and she will be missed greatly by her community.

"She was an amazing friend to many and wise beyond her years with so much left to give.

"Ellen helped to shape so much of who I am today, and I will not be the same without her."