Community supporters and staff of Charles Sturt University (CSU) cheered tonight when the Treasurer, Peter Costello, announced $65.1 million in funding for a new dental school for inland NSW.

 

The University invited the Rural Dental Action Group to watch the Budget broadcast with staff at its Orange Campus in the hope of a positive outcome.

 

“Like everyone, we read the news reports on the Budget with anticipation, but we had no idea that the funding would be provided until the Treasurer’s speech,” said CSU University Secretary Mark Burdack who hosted the informal gathering.

 

“The RDAG, in particular its co-founders Marj Bollinger and Catherine Errey, have worked so hard on raising the profile of the rural dental crisis over many years.

 

“It was great that we had the opportunity to learn the news at the same time."

 

Professor Ian Goulter, Vice-Chancellor of CSU, was attending the Budget Speech in Canberra to hear the news first hand. 

 

Marj Bollinger and Catherine Errey were the first people he called after hearing the announcement.  “This was first and foremost a community initiative,” said Professor Goulter. “It was important to me, and to CSU, to acknowledge the members of the RDAG and the role they played in raising awareness of the rural dental crisis.

 

“It is often said that country people achieve more because they work together to find solutions to problems. 

 

“At a community level, the success of this proposal is due to the work of the Rural Dental Action Group; at an industry level, the NSW Branch of the Australian Dental Association; and at a political level, the Member for Macquarie Kerry Bartlett and our many supporters in the Parliament.

 

“This issue brought together a group of people with a common commitment to inland Australia and a conviction to resolve the rural dental crisis. 

 

“It shows how inland communities can work together with industry and Government to achieve significant outcomes for inland communities."

 

CSU presented Marj Bollinger with a bottle of Bollinger Champagne in thanks for her tireless work in promoting the rural dental crisis.