The idea is to get big numbers to convince the Federal Government to provide funding for the Murray Darling Medical School (MDMS).

The school is a partnership between two universities, Charles Sturt and La Trobe in Victoria, which have a great understanding of the need. The two are part of the DNA of their regions.

They have the facts and figures from studies and surveys to show why there should be a rural medical school.

There would be few residents in the regions who would disagree with the idea.

The shortage is nothing new. It has been there for years.

We have all heard the horror stories: small remote towns left without a doctor; sick people travelling big distances for basic medical attention; desperate communities having to shell out a fortune just to get a GP and even resorting to signboards on highways to try to attract a doctor.

The MDMS says studies show that most students from the country who study health disciplines at regional universities are likely to remain in the regions after graduating.

But, it says, only 10 per cent of graduates from metropolitan medical schools end up working in the regions.

The MDMS partners have been pushing out that message for some time and, so far, no one has put forward any contradictory data.

The partners say the MDMS would provide doctors across Australia, not just in their regions – 80 per cent of the study positions would be held for regional students.

But, the government has not responded with any funding.

As with most things regional it will, no doubt, take much pleading, lobbying and asking – and a lot of time – before something is done.

The ask is not mammoth.

If the MDMS is right and it can solve the shortage, it will be more than worth the money.

Regional communities will have to help overcome the government’s reluctance.

If roadside signs begging for a doctor to come to town don’t work, perhaps signing up to a national petition might provide the cure. Sign up now.