A 12-YEAR-OLD boy trekking from Warren to Canberra is bringing the challenges confronting bush families into focus as part of his mission to raise $1 million for regional kids’ healthcare.
Dusty set out from his hometown on 30 August on a 540-kilometre journey to Parliament House in Canberra, with the 16-day walk taking him through regional New South Wales, including Eugowra and Gooloogong.
Reaching Canberra is only a fraction of what these kilometres mean to Dusty. They stand for the expansive journeys country families are obliged to undertake whenever specialised healthcare is required for their kids.
Through the Dollar for Dusty campaign, the young fundraiser is on a mission to collect $1 million in support of Little Wings and its Medical Wings program.
Aeromedical initiative works to bring specialised medical treatment directly to families living in rural and isolated areas.
Having witnessed firsthand how local access to pediatric care positively impacts his home town, Dusty said he remains deeply committed to driving change.
While a visiting paediatrician now provides local specialist care in Warren – north-west of Dubbo, said he Dusty recognises many children in other rural communities still lack similar access.
Rather than children and their parents always having to travel hundreds of kilometres to see a specialist, Medical Wings supports paediatricians travelling out to regional communities and providing clinics closer to home.
Sarah Langby said she felt immense pride in watching her son, Dusty, embrace this daunting challenge.
“I’m so proud of Dusty. This is a huge challenge, but to see Dusty grow from this experience has impressed me so much,” she said.
“The walks are long, my body is sore, but Dusty is leading the pack, determined to give country kids a voice when he arrives in Canberra.”
Starting out in Warren, Dusty’s route took him through Trangie, Narromine, Tomingley, Alectown, and Parkes, then across to Cabonne Shire, with stops in Eugowra and Gooloogong, before heading on toward Cowra, Morongla Creek, Boorowa, Yass, and Murrumbateman.
Throughout his walk, Dusty has invited families, schools, local businesses, community groups, and individuals to walk alongside him or contribute to the cause.
Yet, Parliament House remains the ultimate goal of his journey.
Upon arriving in Canberra, Dusty aims to meet directly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to highlight the healthcare obstacles impacting children across regional Australia.
Driven by personal observations within his local area, he hopes to ensure that the experiences and needs of country children are fully recognised.
According to Clare Pearson, CEO of Little Wings, Dusty’s effort highlights how communities can collaborate to ensure better access to healthcare for rural families.
“Little Wings is an organisation built by community, for community,” Ms Pearson said.
“Dusty is leading the way, inspiring us all and reminding Australia that the voices of the bush matter.”
Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson highlighted how Dusty’s initiative demonstrates the power of community collaboration in improving rural healthcare access.
“Little Wings is an organisation built by community, for community,” Ms Pearson said. “Dusty is leading the way, inspiring us all and reminding Australia that the voices of the bush matter.”
The charity offers free flight and ground transportation for seriously ill children throughout regional and rural New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory who require access to specialised urban medical care.
Expanding on these efforts, its Medical Wings program partners with primary health clinics, local hospitals, and Aboriginal Medical Centres to provide mobile medical clinics directly to these regions.
Throughout the 2025 financial year, Little Wings supported over 5,000 children across 2,802 missions, with Medical Wings conducting 229 regional clinics.
Supporters can back the Dollar for Dusty campaign through the Little Wings website, where two ongoing raffles are also helping to raise funds.
