Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP has called on the Prime Minister to lower the age limit for Young Australian of the Year, after a 12-year-old from Warren walked 540 kilometres to Canberra and helped deliver $2 million in federal funding for a service that flies doctors to sick children in the bush.
Dusty Langby completed his walk from Warren, in the electorate of Parkes, to Parliament House as part of his Dollar for Dusty campaign for Little Wings. Little Wings is best known for its program flying sick people to doctors, but it also has a program called Medical Wings which brings paediatricians out to regional and remote families. He personally raised more than $500,000, and the Albanese Government has agreed to match that amount dollar for dollar, on top of a further $1 million to keep the service flying for another two years.
Mr Chaffey has asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the matter of lowering the age eligibility for Young Australian of the Year with the National Australia Day Council, so that Dusty can be nominated. The award is currently open only to Australians aged 16 and over.
“Dusty’s idea, his commitment and his dedication have inspired people across the country,” Mr Chaffey said.
“If Dusty can’t be PM, then at the very least the community should have the opportunity to nominate him for the Young Australian of the Year.”
“Currently, the lower age limit is 16. I have called on the Prime Minister to consider lowering it to the age of 12.”
Mr Chaffey said Dusty’s achievements showed age was no barrier to leadership.
“His achievements demonstrate that leadership, service and community impact are not defined by age,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Lowering the minimum age to 12 would allow exceptional younger Australians such as Dusty to be considered on their merits, and would recognise the meaningful contribution children can make to their communities and to the nation.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler announced the funding as they welcomed Dusty to Parliament House after his journey. The new $1 million will extend the Government’s support for Little Wings for a further two years, helping the organisation continue its work for children and families across regional New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.
The Albanese Government has backed Little Wings since 2022, committing $4.3 million in the 2022-23 Budget for an additional aircraft and $2.5 million in operational funding from 2022-23 to 2026-27. In 2025-26, the Government supported 350 Little Wings missions, including 296 hospital flights and 54 outreach specialist clinics, helping 1,260 families access specialist care closer to home.
“Dusty has done something extraordinary and has walked 540 kilometres to help seriously ill children and their families,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
“My Government will match every dollar Dusty has raised so his incredible effort can make an even bigger difference.”
“Dusty has shown that you’re never too young to make a difference and we’re proud to back Little Wings and the work they do.”
Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health Emma McBride, who met Dusty in Canberra, said location should not determine a child’s access to care.
“Where a child lives should never determine the health care they can access,” Assistant Minister McBride said.
“This additional funding will help Little Wings continue supporting children and families who rely on these vital services, it was a pleasure to meet Dusty yesterday and recognize his outstanding advocacy in person.”
Dusty was joined on his walk by his mother, Registered Nurse Sarah Langby, Little Wings Chief Executive Officer Clare Pearson, local nurse Christine Letton, Little Wings nurse Nichole Callan, and other members of his support crew. Little Wings provides free aeromedical and ground transport, and specialist outreach clinics, for families living outside major cities, helping remove distance as a barrier to essential health care.
Dusty told the media he was looking forward to heading home with his family in the ute to do some camping and fishing. His long-term dream is to become a pilot, like the ones who bring medical care to children in regional and remote Australia.
“Congratulations to Dusty, to his family, to the community of Warren, and a big thank you to everyone who has donated to this very worthy campaign,” Mr Chaffey said.
You can still donate to Dusty’s fundraiser here.
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