Victoria
Twelve-year-old to walk 500 kilometres for regional healthcare
A 12-year-old boy will walk 500 kilometres from western New South Wales to Canberra to advocate for better regional paediatric healthcare.
A twelve-year-old boy from western New South Wales is preparing to undertake a grueling 500-kilometre walk to Canberra in a bid to secure better healthcare services for regional children.
According to a wire report, Dusty Langby will walk from his home town of Warren to the Prime Minister’s office at Parliament House. His goal is to speak directly with the nation's leader about the urgent need for improved paediatric care in rural and remote communities.
The journey from Warren, located in the state's Orana region, to the national capital is a substantial physical undertaking. While the precise start date and the daily itinerary for the walk have not yet been confirmed, the trek is expected to draw significant attention to the disparity in medical services between metropolitan areas and the bush.
Families living in regional Australia often face significant hurdles when seeking specialised medical care for children. Many are forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to major cities for routine appointments, treatment, and emergency care due to a persistent shortage of paediatricians and healthcare facilities in regional centres.
By taking his message directly to Canberra, the young campaigner hopes to highlight these systemic challenges and advocate for practical solutions that will benefit families across regional Australia. It is not yet clear if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or other federal health officials have agreed to meet with Dusty when he arrives at the capital.
Watch to see when Dusty begins his journey from Warren and whether the federal government schedules a formal meeting to receive his message.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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