By Molly Shannon
By now, there are not many who don’t know the name Dusty Langby or his story, deciding to walk to the nation's capital to raise money and awareness for bush kids' access to paediatricians.
Well, the 12-year-old has finally completed his journey, raising over $540,000 along the way, a total which will be matched "dollar-for-dollar" by Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese.
Starting out on August 30, the 'Dollar for Dusty' team walked for 16 days - covering anywhere between 20km to 55km a day to get to their final destination.
Walking with Dusty was a crew of roughly 12 people, including Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson and Dusty’s mum, Sarah.
The journey was long and hard, but ultimately an overwhelmingly positive experience, with people from all over cheering Dusty on and supporting the young boy on his mission to get kids the healthcare they deserve.
For mum and partner in crime, Sarah Langby is incredibly proud of what Dusty and the team have achieved.
“Oh, it was mind blowing,” Sarah said.
“It was surreal to walk into a community and be surprised by just the overwhelming support from every generation of life and so many community members.
“This is the thing, people were giving us all they had, if it was anything, what people could give, they did give,” she said.
“The people in the bush gave us stories of hope and we gave them hope as well, that's what's made me so proud,” said Sarah.
The team finally made it to parliament house on Monday, September 14 where they were greeted by federal member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, and leader of the Nationals senator Matt Canavan. After a short celebration on the lawns in front of Parliament House, the team made their way to attend a conference for the Regional Australia Institute, coincidentally discussing regional health.
On Tuesday, September 15, Dusty attended his big meeting with PM Anthony Albanese, where he would ask him to match what he raised. On Tuesday morning, Dusty had raised just over $500,000.
Mr Albanese agreed to match Dusty, and committed to federal funding for Little Wings for another two years (a further $1 million), a momentous occasion for not only Dusty and Little Wings but for the families that rely on its service and care.
[The meeting] went really, really well,” Sarah said.
“Anthony came in and shook Dusty's hand and they shared some personal stories and then they made two commitments.
“One was to match dollar-for-dollar for Dusty and the second one was to continue Little Wings partnership for the next two years at 500,000 a year,” Sarah said.
Emotions were high after meeting with the PM, with the reality of what Dusty and the team achieved going to take a while to sink in.
“I don't think it has settled in yet,” Sarah said.
“We don't look amazing, but we all feel amazing, but I think we're still just trying to process it all still.
“It's a lot that's just taken place, let alone the last 16 days, but today and yesterday, It's just crazily amazing,” Sarah said.
After Dusty met with Mr Albanese, the team were invited to the Governor General's house for afternoon tea where Dusty and all 12 members of the team received a Governor General Coin each.
The 12-year-old was even mentioned in parliament on Tuesday afternoon by Mr Albanese and Mr Chaffey.
Dusty and his family will head home to Warren in the following days, where he will be welcomed in by the town and community that has supported him from the very beginning.
“We're just so grateful to the community of Warren,” Sarah said.
“They've really gotten behind Dusty from the minute he had this idea and we're so proud to live and be in Warren,” she said.
“And thank you also to all our sponsors, and thank you to Little Wings for supporting it.
“You know, the team at Little Wings are just sensational and we're so grateful to have them leave Sydney and come and walk with us every step of the way.
“It's not often you get a CEO that will put that commitment into it,” Sarah said.
But now that the walk is over, doesn’t mean that the fight is.
With Sarah hinting that there is more to come.
“Dad's here in Canberra with the ute and he's brought Dusty's little brother down so we're going to be heading home and we can't wait,” Sarah said.
“We’ll take it easy over the next few days, but I know he's got some things up.
“We've got some things planned for him, but just have to wait and see,” said Sarah.