The town's hospital has been operating without the ability to deliver babies for more than 18 months and Ray Best believed something more needed to be done. 

While the Murrumbidgee Local Health District is currently advertising for a visiting medical officer – general practitioner obstetrician, Mr Best said the saga had gone on too long. 

He, along with some other like-minded residents – have put together a petition that is currently circling the town. 

The petition calls for residents to support the need for maternity services to be back up and running in full at the hospital.  

“I just think it’s gone on too long,” Mr Best said.

“There’s no good anyone having to go to Wagga or Griffith to have their baby … anything could happen. 

“It’s not safe. 

“We have a fantastic maternity ward here, so why not use it?”

Mr Best has had various family members that have had to travel to give birth recently and he said it simply wasn’t good enough they couldn’t have their babies at their hometown hospital. 

He, along with his grandchildren, have been out and about over the past week gathering signatures, with the plan to then take them to Sydney and Canberra for politicians to review, and then, hopefully take action. 

“Everyone said with Carramar when it was looking to be privatised that nothing could be done to save it … but look at what they did – they saved it,” Mr Best said. 

“We can do the same with our maternity services. It’s something all of the community should be on board with. 

“It’s such a simple service and we all need to support having it here.” Copies of the petition can be found at a large number of businesses in town. 

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