Troy Stolzl to walk 282km to advocate for Scone maternity services

Troy Stolzl, a 57-year-old Upper Hunter councillor living with stage four cancer, is planning a 282km journey from Scone to the New South Wales Parliament to advocate for regional maternity services.

Stolzl intends to present a petition containing approximately 3,000 signatures to Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park. The petition addresses concerns regarding the future of maternity services at Scott Memorial Hospital in Scone, following the announcement that the town's only obstetrician, Dr. Isobel Lang, intends to retire at the end of 2026.

Hunter New England Health has confirmed Dr. Lang's departure and stated that recruitment for a new obstetrician is ongoing. Stolzl highlighted the impact on the local shire of 14,000 people, noting that residents currently must travel to Singleton, Tamworth, or Maitland for such care.